Five Years, Five Countries, Five Campaigns, first published in 1945, is the account of the activities of the U.S. Army's 141st Infantry Regiment (36th Division) during World War II. Based in San Antonio Texas, and part of the Texas National Guard, on November 20, 1940, the men changed from civilians to citizen-soldiers by presidential order. Additional recruits were added, followed by intensive training, and, by April 1943, the Regiment was in North Africa, then Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. Some notable firsts for the 141st Infantry included: among the first American troops to land on the continent of Europe in World War II; among the first troops to enter Rome; the first Infantry Regiment to land on the coast of southern France; the first Regiment in the Seventh Army to cross the Moselle River; and the first 36th Division troops to enter Germany. Their combat record was also impressive: from September 9, 1943, until the end of the war, the Regiment experienced 361 days of combat (137 days in Italy, 204 days in France, 17 days in Germany, 4 days in Austria). During this period, the Regiment sustained more than 6,000 casualties, including 1,126 killed, approximately 5,000 wounded, and over 500 missing in action. Five Years, Five Countries, Five Campaigns provides an in-depth look at this Regiment, with descriptions of the Regiment's fighting at Salerno, River Rapido, Monte Cassino, in the Alsace region, and more. Included are 15 pages of maps.
