Little is known about most Signal Corps Photographic units that were attached to US Armored and Infantry Divisions. These Signal Photographic Companies were divided into smaller detachments. Detachment No. 6 of the 166th Signal Photographic Company was a group of seven photographers who followed the 5th Division during its combat on the European front, and was is responsible for the many excellent photographs and action pictures appearing on the internet and in several books.
According to the official history of the 5th Infantry Division, the detachment commanded by Lt. Mark A. Freeman, has decorations consisting of 1 Silver Star, 1 Croix de Guerre, 4 purple hearts and 5 bronze star medals.
Members of the detachment are , left to right, Sgt John T. Raia, Cpl, Gerald V. Horton, Pvt. Robert J. Schneider; rear row, Sgt. Robert R. Brill, Pfc Albert J. Smith, Pvt Henry (Harry) E. Stevenson, Lt. Mark A. Freeman.
Photographs by Lt. Mark A. Freeman O-312369
Infantrymen of 5th Infantry Division, 3rd U.S. Army on the march near Winterburg, Germany. 1945-03-19 
An aerial view of Fort Driant, a German held fort opposite the town of Ars-Sur Moselle, France. The smoke at left center is case by the landing of a U.S, artillery shell. 1944-09-29 
This is one of the many scenes of devastation caused during a German air raid over Verdun. 1944-09-01 
American medic gives first aid to a wounded German officer near Chartes, France. Aug. 15, 1944
Lt. Mark A. Freeman was also responsible for the film shot by Detachment No. 6. Below you can find a film produced by Lt. Freeman about the liberation of Angers, France. The cameraman is Willie Breedlove.
Photographs by Pfc Gerald V. Horton, 35530760
Chaplain (Major) Harold O. Prudell, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, talks with 5th Infantry Division reinforcements leaving for front lines. 
With smoke from the blasted German armor filling the sky, these American troops move towards Fontainebleau enroute to Paris. Aug. 23, 1944 
American infantrymen and armor move past dead Germans as they approach Fontainebleau enroute to Paris to support the Free French fighting inside the city. Aug. 23, 1944 
An American tank and infantryman concentrate on the wiping out of a German machine gun nest along the road near Courdray, France. Aug. 6, 1944
Photographs of Albert J. Schneider
American Infantrymen of the 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, U.S. Third Army, prepare to board trucks which will carry them to the Rhine River where they will continue attacks on the enemy. Germany, 3/7/45 
Infantrymen crowd aboard assault boat raft with tank Destroyer of 3rd U.S. Army, as it is ferried across the Rhine. 1945-03-23 
155mm howitzer is fired toward German troop concentration in Germany from Berdorf, Luxembourg, in the 3rd Army sector. 2nd Section of Battery “B”, 21st Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Infantry Division. 11 Feb 1945 
American troops of Co. C, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, move into positions in the line near Gralingen, Luxembourg, on the U.S. Third Army front. 1/22/45
Pfc Albert J. Smith & Pvt Harry E. Stevenson
Without the proper archive material it is more difficult to explain the role of Smith and Stevenson. The great grandson of Harry Stevenson contacted me several years ago after spotting Albert Smith on one of the 5th ID photographs. He explained to me that he was both related to Smith and Stevenson. At one point Albert met Stevenson’s sister and the two fell in love. Stevenson and Smith were on good terms, so it all worked out. The great grandson further explained that ‘Harry and Albert were “drivers” in the detachment. They would obviously drive the jeep(s) that hauled the photographers and their equipment. The drivers were also issued Thompson submachine guns and were to provide protection for the photographers if need be. I’m told that the drivers were crucial to the operation of the detachment as a whole.’
More interesting information about the Signal Photographic Companies can be found on Facebook. Several great pages exist:
11 thoughts to “The US 5th Division Photographers – 166th SPC”
A n official photographer took my picture licking an icicle while walking up frozen river in Luxembourg or maybe Germany. Has anybody seen such a pic & where? I’d like to see it.
What unit were you with Mr. Valderrma?
I was in the 3rd army, 5th Div. 11th Reg. 2nd Bat. Co C.
My wife’s grandfather was in the 2nd Infantry Regiment and we have been trying to learn details of his service. He died January 20, 1945 around the time of the Kippenhof Farm assault (near Dierkirch).
I remember being in Dierkirk but I was in the 11th Reg.
Very interesting.
Great photos Joe !
Brilliant work ,Joey, collecting and showing all of this! I am the daughter of Mark A.Freeman❤️
My Uncle Frank Weddle was in the 10th infantry regiment 5th infantry Division He was killed January 19th 1945 I was wondering if you had any photos of the 10th in that time frame and maybe about where he was killed
My Great Grandfather was in Company F, 10th Infantry, 5th Division. If you could find any pictures of this unit, preferably narrowed down to Company F, please show them.
I literally stumbled upon this unity by accident today. I work as an archivist at a Holocaust Museum in Indiana. I found a box of photos taken by them when they liberated Buchenwald as well as some of the outlier labor camps. Enough to make the stomach churn, but I tip my hat to the courage of the men who had the fortitude to photograph it.