The 5th Infantry was notable for its record in small arms firing. During 1924, three years before this photo was taken, the 5th Infantry rifle qualification was 99.49 percent, machine gun 94.30 percent and 100 percent mortars and 37 mm.

The 5th Infantry was stationed at Portland from 1922-1940. Fort Williams served as headquarters and the soldiers were billeted there, at Fort Preble and Fort McKinley in Portland Harbor. Except for short absences on field training and minor shifts within the regiment, the disposition remained substantially unchanged for seventeen years.