Eleven of its members have been decorated with the United States highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor.

Members of the 142nd arriving as reinforcements tipped the Battle for Castle Itter in favor of a combined U.S. Army/Wehrmacht defense against a Waffen SS attack, the second and last time German and American forces fought side-by-side in World War II.

[3] Azure, a fess wavy Gules fimbriated Argent, issuant in chief the shell-torn church steeple at St. Etienne, France, of the third.

The church at St. Etienne, France, was in the sector where the regiment received its baptism of fire.

First Lieutenant Donald J. McLennan, D.S.C., scout officer of the 1st Battalion, 142nd Regiment Infantry, led a patrol across the Aisne River into the enemy country on 8 October 1918 and secured information of vast importance to the regiment.