The 143rd Infantry, Texas National Guard, was organized in 1880 as the Third Regiment of Infantry, Texas Volunteer Guard. In 1903, the designation of the regiment was changed from the Third Regiment, Texas Volunteer Guard, to the Third Infantry, Texas National Guard.
Five of the companies of the regiment were activated into Federal service for the Spanish-American War, and one company served in the Army of Occupation in Cuba, from December 1898 to March 1899. The Third Infantry, Texas National Guard, served on the Mexican Border during the disturbances of 1916–1917.
The regiment was drafted into Federal service for World War I on August 5, 1917. Organized under the 36th Division, 72nd Infantry Brigade, the Third Infantry, Texas National Guard, was combined with the Fifth Infantry, Texas National Guard, to make up the 143rd Infantry. The troops of the 143rd arrived in France in the early summer of 1918, training near Bar-sur-Aube. The 143rd entered the reserve of the French Armies of the Center on September 26, 1918, and later went into the line on October 3, relieving a regiment of the U.S. 2nd Division. They came under fire on October 10 and fought through several days of battle to gain the northern bank of the Aisne River by October 12. The regiment was relieved from front-line duty on October 28, and the regiments of the 36th Division entered the reserve of the First American Army until the Armistice. The 143rd Infantry is entitled to bear a streamer denoting Meuse-Argonne campaign credit.
The 143rd was mobilized for World War II on November 25, 1940, and shipped overseas on April 2, 1943, landing in Algeria. In September 1943, the regiment went ashore near Salerno at Paestum. In December, it assaulted the Winter Line near San Pietro, with the 1st Battalion receiving an Army commendation for its actions. The capture of San Pietro by 36th Division troops opened the Liri Valley. The regiment later fought at the Rapido River, reinforced Fifth Army at the Anzio beachhead, and advanced toward Rome. In August 1944, it participated in the 36th Division landing in southern France and continued through the Rhineland and Central Europe. The regiment received campaign credit for Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe.
From 2011 to 2012, the 143rd mobilized in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Following training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, it deployed to Afghanistan in February 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Its soldiers served as security forces for Provincial Reconstruction Teams throughout the country, while Headquarters and Headquarters Company supported operations in Kabul.
The 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment is an airborne infantry unit aligned with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team through the Associated Unit Program.
