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RECRUITS WANTED-HQ COMPANY, 18TH INFANTRY REGIMENT
U.S. FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION (RECREATED)-
"THE BIG RED ONE"

HQ Co., 18th Infantry is a group of experienced, hardcore World War Two reenactors who represent a typical, yet ethnically and geographically diverse cross-section of the "Fighting' First" Infantry Division in World War Two. "The Big Red One" is one of the oldest and most distinguished units in the U.S. military, with a lineage going back to a field artillery unit commanded by Alexander Hamilton in the 1790s. The First Division served in the War Between the States, the Philippine Insurrection, World War One and Two, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. In World War Two, the First was known for its cockiness and contempt for petty discipline and regulations. But while proud, sometimes arrogant (members claimed that "the U.S. Army consists of the First Infantry Division- and ten million replacements!") the "Fighting' First" delivered in combat, spearheading the North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy invasions, and seeing action in the Battle of the Bulge, the Hurtgen Forest, and the Rhineland-Central European campaigns. The quality of "The First Team's" soldiers was so high that in planning the Sicily invasion of July 1943, General George S. Patton demanded that they lead the way, telling General Dwight Eisenhower, "I WANT those First Division sons-of-bitches- I WON"T go in without them!" Unlike many reenactor units whose members all seem to hail from the same area, like the real "Big Red One" we are representing (which, as a prewar, Regular Army division, was composed of men from all over the country) HQ Company has members in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida- Boston Yankees, Brooklyn Italians, Virginia farm boys, and "Good Old Boys" from the Deep South- all having fun side by side, accurately representing the ethnic and geographic diversity we all remember from those classic World War Two combat films, from "Bataan" to "Breakthrough" to "Battleground," which was a real feature of the U.S. Army of World War Two. Right now, we've got everybody but the American Indian and the guy from Texas!! HQ Company works closely with our fellow reenactor units to preserve the legacy of the World War Two GI, and to pass it on to the public and future generations. We abhor the petty politics that say you can't be friendly with another unit, or work with them, because they wear a different shoulder patch. Many of our members were drawn to the hobby by growing up with relatives who served in World War Two. All are welcome, especially those with relatives who may have served in the wartime First Division- they're a living link to the past!!

We have participated in many educational, living history, and reenactment events at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, Fort Meade, MD, Fort Mifflin, PA, Fort Eustis, VA, Fort Story, VA, Odessa, NY, the Eisenhower Farm National Historic Site, the Virginia Museum of Military Vehicles, The CAF "Wings of Freedom" Air show, Frederick, MD, The Armed Forces Open House air show at Andrews Air Force Base, MD, The National Warplane Museum "Wings of Eagles" air show, Geneseo, NY, The Bealeton, MD "Flying Circus" air show, the restored Liberty ship John Brown, and many other diverse and interesting events. Our unit has also had national media exposure, being featured prominently in magazine cover stories for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Washington Times newspapers.

New recruits are constantly joining, and always welcome. Just contact company clerk and Bugler Christian M. DeJohn by e-mail, phone, (215) 885-2306, or FAX, (215) 885-5351. And remember, "If you're going to BE one, be a BIG RED ONE!!"

Regards, and many thanks- see you soon.

Christian M. DeJohn
Company Clerk & Bugler
HQ Co, 18th Infantry Regiment
U.S. First Infantry Division (Recreated)
235 E. Waverly Rd.
Wyncote, PA 19095
Phone (215) 885-2306
FAX (215) 885-5351
e-Mail: christian.dejohn@gte.net