The rich heritage of the 7th Infantry Regiment spans 200 years and 12 wars with 76 campaign streamers earned and 14 unit decorations received. The Regiment has served in more campaigns than any other Infantry unit in the United States Army. It was initially organized in response to the "quasi-war" with France during the summer of 1798. The first major conflict in which the Regiment was engaged was the Indian War of 1811, where it fought under General William Henry Harrison in Ohio and Indiana. Its first encounter against foreign troops took place in the War of 1812, where the 7th Infantry saw action in Canada, Florida and Louisiana. With its outstanding record of achievement stretching out over almost half a century, the Cottonbalers plunged into World War II by being among the first to land in North Africa in 1942 with their assault on Morocco. This was the beginning of a series of victories during WWII that added ten more battle streamers to their colors. The 7th Infantry pushed onward from North Africa through Italy and France to Germany, where the Cottonbalers capped their efforts by capturing Berchtesgaden, Adolph Hitler's mountain fortress. War chronicle website, Seventh Infantry Regiment http://warchronicle.com/units/US/Regiments/Seventh_Infantry.htm (Retrieved December 22, 2008)
From the description of Lt. Thomas Garvey letter, 1942. (University of Georgia). WorldCat record id: 289472665
