107th Infantry Regiment | |
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Coat of arms
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Active | 1806-1993 |
Country | United States |
Allegiance | New York |
Branch | New York Army National Guard |
Size | Regiment |
Nickname(s) | Silk Stocking Regiment |
Motto(s) | "Pro Patria et Gloria" (For Country and Glory) |
Engagements |
War of 1812 U.S. Civil War World War I World War II |
Insignia | |
Distinctive unit insignia |
U.S. Infantry Regiments | |
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106th Infantry Regiment | 108th Infantry Regiment |
The 107th Infantry Regiment was a regiment of the New York Army National Guard. The regiment was formed in 1917 and disestablished in 1993.
The 107th traces its history to the Seventh Regiment of New York (or 7th New York Militia/7th Regiment New York State Militia). Known as the "Silk Stockings" for the high number of New York City's social elite among its ranks, it was established in 1806 in response to the invasion of New York Bay by warships of the British Navy, whose commanders claimed the right to detain and search American vessels and impress any British subjects serving on them.
Source:
In 1852 the 7th Regiment Band was organized. A German musical society of the mid-19th century formed the Seventh Regiment Band consisting of forty-two professional German musicians. It was the only exclusively regimental band of the Civil War-era and one of the most popular brass bands of the time; the band-leader, who went by the name Noll, used brass and reed instruments in duo proportion.
In 1860 Claudio S. Grafulla became the band-leader and reorganized the band. He added woodwinds to the band and continued to serve as its director until his death in 1880. The band gained a high reputation under his leadership. He composed and is best remembered for his march, Washington Greys.
The band was honored in 1922 by John Philip Sousa's The Gallant Seventh march. On 18 April 1923, Sousa conducted the band in playing The Star-Spangled Banner at the opening of Yankee Stadium.
The 107th Infantry Memorial is dedicated to the men who served in the 107th New York Infantry Regiment, originally Seventh Regiment of New York, during World War I. The memorial depicts seven men; the one to the far right carrying two Mills bombs, while supporting the wounded soldier next to him. To his right another infantryman rushes towards the enemy positions, while the helmet less squad leader and another soldier are approaching the enemy with bayonet fixed Lee-Enfield rifles. To the far left, one soldier is holding a mortally wounded soldier, keeping him on his feet. The bronze memorial was donated by 7th–107th Memorial Committee, and was designed and sculpted by Karl Illava, who served in the 107th IR as a sergeant in World War I. The monument was first conceived about 1920, was made in 1926–1927 and was placed in the park and unveiled in 1927, near the perimeter wall at Fifth Avenue and 67th Street.