| Unit Name: | 142nd Infantry Regiment |
| Allegiance: | Texas |
| Type: | Infantry |
| Branch: | Texas Army National Guard |
| Dates: | 1917 - Present |
| Size: | Regiment |
| Motto: | "I'll Face You" |
| Notable Commanders: | A. W. Bloor Troy H. Middleton☆ |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Distinctive Unit Insignia |
The 142nd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the U.S. Army National Guard. 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry carries the regiment's legacy as a unit of the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division. Eleven of its members have been decorated with the United States highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor.
Members of the 142nd arriving as reinforcements tipped the Battle for Castle Itter in favor of a combined U.S. Army/Wehrmacht defense against a Waffen SS attack, the second and last time German and American forces fought side-by-side in World War II.[1]
The 142nd Infantry Regiment was constituted 5 May 1917 as 7th Infantry Regiment, Texas National Guard.
During the Meuse–Argonne offensive in World War I, the 142nd used Choctaw code talkers.[3]
Azure, a fess wavy Gules fimbriated Argent, issuant in chief the shell-torn church steeple at St. Etienne, France, of the third.
That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Texas Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure, a mullet Argent encircled by a garland of live oak and olive Proper.Motto "I'll Face You"
The shield is blue for Infantry. The wavy fess symbolizes the Aisne River, where the regiment's outstanding achievements took place during World War I; it also symbolizes the Red River separating the States of Texas and Oklahoma, from which states were drawn the units composing the 142d Infantry, Texas Army National Guard – the 7th Texas and Machine Gun Company. The church at St. Etienne, France, was in the sector where the regiment received its baptism of fire. First Lieutenant Donald J. McLennan, D.S.C., scout officer of the 1st Battalion, 142nd Regiment Infantry, led a patrol across the Aisne River into the enemy country on 8 October 1918 and secured information of vast importance to the regiment. As he returned, under heavy fire, to the south bank of the Aisne River with his patrol, he was the last man to cross and would not cross with his back to the enemy. Instead, he backed across the foot-log, shaking his fist and shouting to the enemy "We’re going back, but I’ll face you."
The coat of arms was approved on 27 June 1928.
The 142nd Infantry Regiment has had eleven United States Medal of Honor recipients: