1- They were an all-Black regiment. There were other black regiments organized from ex-slaves as the Union army moved through the Southern States. This unit was raised within Massachusetts from free men and some ex-slaves who had escaped the South.
2- This black regiment distinguished itself in battle. Many black soldiers did not see combat and some did not perform well in combat. The 54th Mass had at least one man earn the Medal of Honor.
3- It had a movie made about it: called "Glory". Several books have been published about it and the memoirs of its commander.
Audie Murphy was a member of the Company B, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. His Commanding General was Major-Gen John W. O'Daniel.Source: "History of the 3rd Infantry Division" by Taggart.
Answer The 9th Armored Infantry Battalion was part of the 6th Armored Division. It received credit for the following campaigns:NormandyCentral EuropeArdennes-AlsaceNorthern FranceRhineland If you search for the history of the 6th Armored Division, then you will find details on the 9th Armored Infantry Battalion.
The 92nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop was an organic element of the US 92nd Infantry Division. As such, it operated as part of the 92nd ID, which spent its war in Italy. The 92nd Infantry Division was one of the army's historically black infantry divisions (the other being the 93rd ID). See the "related link" attached for a brief history. Many WWII divisions published a history after the war - usually something such as "History of the 92nd Infantry Division in WWII". I do not know if the 92nd ID did so, but, if they did, this would be by far the best source for more detailed information. I'd watch on eBay and see if one becomes available. There may also be a divisional "alumni association". Search Google for their website.
On the Union Army was the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the first official black unit that was commanded by white officers. This Infantry Regiment led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw made history fighting very hard in the failed attempt to capture Fort Wagner, where Shaw and more than half of the Regiment died. This heroic feat triggered the recruitment of many black soldiers into the Union Army, which was an important step forward in their integration.Contrary to popular belief, the 54th Massachusetts was not the first Negro regiment that fought in the US Civil War. They are predated by others, including the very first African American regiment, the 1st Louisiana Native Guard. They mustered into Federal service in September 1862. The 54th would not enter until May 1863.
The Figthing 69th from New York City natinal guard 7 Medal of Horner winner from since 1849 to today.
Daniel Oakey has written: 'History of the Second Massachusetts regiment of infantry' -- subject(s): 2d, History, Massachusetts Infantry, Massachusetts Infantry. 2d Regiment, 1861-1865, Regimental histories, United States Civil War, 1861-1865, 2nd, United States, United States. Army. Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1864)
Daniel George Macnamara has written: 'The history of the ninth regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, June, 1861-June, 1864' -- subject(s): History, Irish American Participation, Irish American soldiers, Massachusetts Civil War, 1861-1865, Regimental histories, United States, United States Civil War, 1861-1865, United States. Army. Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 9th (1861-1864)
Glory
Albert Plummer has written: 'History of the Forty-eighth Regiment, M.V.M. during the Civil War' -- subject- s -: 14th, History, Massachusetts Infantry, Massachusetts Infantry. 48th Regt., 1862-1863, Regimental histories, United States Civil War, 1861-1865, United States. Army Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 48th - 1862-1863 -, United States, United States. Army Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 14th - 1861-1965 -
Stephen W. Walkley has written: 'History of the Seventh Connecticut volunteer infantry' -- subject(s): Connecticut Infantry, 7th reg't, Regimental histories, History, Connecticut infantry, 7th, United States, United States. Army Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 7th
Albert W. Mann has written: 'History of the Forty-fifth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia ..' -- subject(s): Accessible book, History, Regimental histories, United States, United States Civil War, 1861-1865, United States. Army. Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 45th (1862-1863)
Alonzo Hall Quint has written: 'The record of the Second Massachusetts infantry, 1861-65' -- subject(s): 2d, History, Massachusetts Infantry, Massachusetts Infantry. 2d Regt, Regimental histories, United States Civil War, 1861-1865 'Common-Sense Christianity'
C. M. Keyes has written: 'The military history of the 123d Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry' -- subject(s): Accessible book, History, Regimental histories, United States, United States Civil War, 1861-1865, United States. Army. Ohio Infantry Regiment, 123rd (1862-1865) 'The military history of the 123d Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry' -- subject(s): United States, United States. Army. Ohio Infantry Regiment, 123rd (1862-1865), Regimental histories, History
Robert Cowdin has written: 'Gen. Cowdin and the First Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers' -- subject(s): 1st, History, Massachusetts Infantry, Massachusetts Infantry 1st Regt, Regimental histories, United States Civil War, 1861-1865
Glory
Charles F. Walcott has written: 'History Of The Twenty-First Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, In The War For The Preservation Of The Union, 1861-1865' -- subject(s): Accessible book, History, Regimental histories, United States, United States Civil War, 1861-1865, United States. Army. Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 21st (1861-1865), 21st, United States. Army. Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 21st (1861-1864), Massachusetts Infantry
Alfred Davenport has written: 'Camp and field life of the Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry (Duryee Zouaves)' -- subject(s): United States, United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1863), Regimental histories, History 'Camp And Field Life Of The Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry'