I would appreciate you passing along the information about this unit to the readership. It was an OSS outfit, so official histories probably don't say much about it.

--James D. Parmenter

The 99th Infantry Battalion (Sep.) was activated July 10, 1942 at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, and consisted of 1,000 men: Norwegian nationals living in the United States and Norwegian Americans. All were united in one great resolve to free Norway from its Nazi Germany invaders. Together they became a dedicated and outstanding combat team.

In December of 1942, the Battalion moved to Camp Hale, Colorado, 10 miles north of Leadville, which sat some 9,000 feet above sea level atop the Continental Divide. They participated in intensive mountain combat training including basic infantry skills, skiing, climbing and survival skills. They were involved in experiments of various types of mountain and cold weather equipment. Each man was issued, along with his regular combat equipment, skis, snow shoes, and other necessary mountain training equipment.

In August of 1943 the Battalion left Camp Hale for the journey to England for training in preparation for the invasion of the European continent.

On June 17, 1944, the 99th boarded ship for the trip to the French invasion beaches. Due to the channel storms, it did not land until the 21st of June.

From the time of invasion to the end of hostilities, the 99th participated in all the major European campaigns.

The 99th Infantry Battalion (Sep.) was the smallest identifiable combat infantry unit in the United States Armed Forces in World War II. As a separate unit, the 99th was attached to Army headquarters and various combat divisions.

While serving with the Second Armored and 30th Infantry Division, the 99th was the recipient of two Belgium Croix de Guerre.

Shortly after the Battle of the Bulge, a new regiment was formed (474th Infantry) consisting of three battalions: Rangers, First Special Service Forces and the 99th Infantry Battalion (Sep.).

When the hostilities ended in Europe, the 99th was dispatched to Oslo, Norway, and arrived there the 29th of May, 1945. The mission of the 99th was to represent the United States Armed Forces in Norway and to disarm the German garrison and assist in their return to Germany. The troops of the 99th Battalion served as a special Honor Guard to King Haakon VII upon his return to Norway from exile.

The 99th Infantry Battalion represented the United States Forces in many parades, in civic and social functions, and participated in the celebrations of the liberation of Norway.

In October of 1945, the Battalion returned to the United States and was deactivated at Camp Miles Standish, Massachusetts.