By Joshua Cline
In January 1942, Army Chief of Staff George Marshall changed U.S. policy to permit naturalized foreign citizens from occupied Allied nations to serve in the armed forces. The 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) were naturalized Norwegians who served in the U.S. Army to help free Europe from the Nazis. The 99th went on to train or fight alongside famous units like the 10th Mountain Division, the First Special Service Force, and Ranger battalions. The 99th’s missions included securing Cherbourg, France; combat in the Battle of the Bulge; supporting the Monuments Men”; the liberation of concentration camps; and last, but not least, the liberation and security of Norway.
