It’s in one of the follow-on write ups, but it’s worth mentioning that the 165th Infantry Regiment that went ashore at Betio was the designation at the time for the 69th Infantry, the “Fighting Irish” of the New York National Guard. The Regiment saw action in the Civil War (with the Irish Brigade), WWI, WWII, Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the WWI Regimental Commanders, Col. William (”Wild Bill”) Donovan, organized the OSS in WWII. He was also awarded the Medal of Honor in WWI (along with the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, National Security Medal, Silver Star and Purple Heart).
My dad went to Purdue; never a big fan of the Fighting Irish.