The United States Army‘s 27th Infantry Division was known as “O’Ryan’s Roughnecks” for its World War I commander, Major General John F. O’Ryan. For service in World War II, the New York National Guard’s 105th Infantry Regiment was federalized on October 15, 1940 into the active Army.

The division’s soldiers earned three Medals of Honor during the war. All three were awarded to men of the 105th Infantry during the Battle of Saipan in the Pacific.

The three recipients were Thomas A. Baker, William J. O’Brien, and Ben L. Salomon.

Continue reading The 27th’s Three: Baker, O’Brien, and Salomon (June 19-July 7, 1944) →