NY Army Guard Lt. Col. Andrew Prior, a Jersey City resident, takes command of famous "Fighting 69th' Infantry battalion

Afghan War veteran will lead 800- Soldier 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry

Camp Smith, New York (11/18/2025) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Andrew Prior, a Jersey City resident, took command of the historic 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment during a Saturday, Nov. 15 ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

The battalion which was organized in 1849 and was originally made up of Irish immigrants, was nicknamed the "Fighting 69th" during the Civil War.

Prior replaced Lt. Col. Adam J. Bojarski, who had led the battalion since 2023.

Col. Bradley Frank, the presiding officer at the ceremony and commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat team praised Prior as an outstanding leader who has his confidence.

"The entire brigade, and the long line of the 69th Infantry's storied history, stands behind you," Frank said.

The 69th Infantry fought as part of the famous Irish Brigade during the Civil War and is the subject of the folk song "The Fighting 69th". The units World War I service as part of the 42nd Infantry Division was the subject of the 1940 movie also called "The Fighting 69th".

During World War II the 69th Infantry invaded Makin Atoll and fought on Okinawa. While deployed to Iraq in 2005 the battalion was responsible for securing the road connecting Baghdad's Airport with the Green Zone where U.S. troops were headquartered.

Soldiers of the 69th Infantry also responded to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and fought in Afghanistan.

In his remarks, Prior noted that he has a history in the 69th Infantry.

He first served in the battalion as commander of Charlie Company in 2014 and led them during a 2017 training exercise in Queensland, Australia.

"I spent most of my career in these ranks," Prior said.

"I trained with you, deployed with you, and learned from the leaders and Soldiers who shaped this organization; so now to have the privilege to command the Fighting 69th is the greatest honor of my career," he added.

Prior closed his speech by saying, "Together, we will uphold this regiment's proud legacy and write a new chapter of teamwork, pride, and excellence."

Prior launched his military career in 2008, after receiving his commission as an armor officer through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Scranton.

He volunteered for service with the Iowa National Guard in Afghanistan and served as a battle captain and infantry platoon leader with the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment in Laghman Province.

After deployment, Prior returned to Pennsylvania and served in three leadership roles - tank platoon leader, executive officer and rear detachment commander, before taking company command in New York.

Prior also served as the aide-de-camp to the commanding general of the 42nd Infantry Division and as the 69th's operations staff officer, when the battalion mobilized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Legacy is not inherited; it is earned every day through our actions," Prior said, adding that he was proud to join them again, this time, as their battalion commander.

Prior closed his speech by saying, "Together, we will uphold this regiment's proud legacy and write a new chapter of teamwork, pride, and excellence."

Prior is a graduate of the Maneuver Captains Career Course, Command and General Staff College, and Advanced Operations Course. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Studies from the University of Scranton where he commissioned.

He serves full-time on state active duty as the commander of Joint Task Force Empire Shield, the New York National Guard's 1,000-member security force in New York City.

Prior's awards and decorations include a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medas, two Army Commendation Medals, an Afghanistan Campaign medal with 2 Campaign Stars, two Overseas Service Ribbons, two Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbons, a NATO Medal, a Combat Action Badge, an Air Assault Badge and the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency - Silver.

When not on military orders, Prior is a Firefighter in Yonkers, New York. He lives in New Jersey with his wife Lindsay, and their daughter.

Media Attachments