2nd Infantry Regiment (United States)

2nd Infantry Regiment
File:2-2 crest.gif 2nd Infantry Regiment distinctive insignia
Active	1808 – present
Country	United States
Branch	Regular Army
Type	Infantry
Role	1st Bn - Mechanized Infantry 2nd Bn - Light Infantry
Garrison/HQ	1st Bn - Schweinfurt, Germany 2nd Bn - Fort Knox, Kentucky
Nickname(s)	“Ramrods”
Motto(s)	“Noli Me Tangere!”
Engagements	War of 1812 Indian Wars Mexican War American Civil War War with Spain Philippine–American War World War II Vietnam War Kosovo Campaign Global War on Terrorism
Commanders
Notable commanders	Hugh Brady Bennett C. Riley James Wilkinson

Template:US Regiments The 2nd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army. It has served the United States for more than two hundred years.

Origins

Although the lineage date of the present regiment is 12 April 1808, the regiment's history actual begins in 1791. It was on 3 March 1791 that Congress added to the Army the Second Regiment of Infantry to aid in combating Indian outrages in the Northwest Territory. On 4 March 1791 John Doughty was appointed Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the Regiment but he resigned from the Army on 12 March 1791. Before resigning he ordered the establishment of the headquarters for the regiment at Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania. On 22 October 1791 Lieutenant Colonel James Wilkinson was then appointed Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the Regiment but he did not take command until January 1792. The Regiment was to be made up as follows, a lieutenant colonel commandant, two majors, eight captains, eight lieutenants, eight ensigns, one surgeon, two surgeon's mates, and eight companies of about 100 men each. Recruiting began almost immediately in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Pay and muster records indicate that the first enlisted man is Rueben King from Delaware. The companies are known by their commanding officers name and the first one formed is under the command of Captain Robert Kirkwood. Between March 1791 and May 1792 all recruits passed through New Brunswick Recruit Barracks in New Jersey for outfitting and then on to Fort Pitt.

From Fort Pitt the Regiment moved down the Ohio River by barge to Fort Washington (Cincinnati) in the Northwest Territory, where Governor Arthur St. Clair had established his headquarters. On 4 October 1791, the Army under the command of St. Clair commenced a campaign against the Miami Indians. On 4 November 1791 about 60 miles from Fort Washington the Indians, numbering not more than one thousand, surprised the Army and put it to flight with great slaughter. The American Army numbered 1483, of these 38 officers and 593 men were killed or missing and 31 officers and 252 men were wounded, many of whom later died. Of the 2nd Infantry it is estimated that 101 enlisted were killed, 54 wounded and 50 missing, presumed dead. 7 officers, including Major Jonathan Heart who was in command of the Regiment, were killed and 1 wounded. On the day of the battle St. Clair’s Army consisted of the following; US Battalion of Artillery, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st and 2nd Regiment of Levies, a company of Pennsylvania Militia and a Kentucky Militia Regiment. The 1st Infantry Regiment was not present at the battle.

Legion of the United States

In 1792 Congress created the Legion of the United States which was a combined force of infantry, cavalry, and artillery under the Command of Major General Anthony Wayne. This Legion consisted of four Sub-Legions of which the Second Infantry became the "Second Sub-Legion". At this time only the 1st and 2d Infantry were actually organized, therefore it was necessary to go out and recruit infantry for the 3d and 4th Sub-Legions. The Legion fought the Miami Indians between 1792 and 1795 and finally defeated the Indians in a decisive manner at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in the Northwest Territory on 20 August 1794. The conflict with the Indians ended with the signing of the Treaty of Greenville on 2 August 1795. On 1 November 1796 the Legion was discontinued and the Second Sub-Legion again became the Second Regiment of Infantry. The unit colors of the 2nd Sub-Legion were red and white. The Regiment's oldest Campaign Streamer is for the Miami Indian Campaign, 1791-1795.

Noli Me Tangere

The Regiment's motto "NOLI ME TANGERE" (Do Not Touch Me), was first applied when Major General Anthony Wayne requested Secretary of War Henry Knox to send the newly formed Legion of the United States a legion standard and a standard for each of the four sub-legions. Each standard was to have this motto on a ribbon on the flag. This request was made in 1792 prior to the formation of the legions.

War of 1812

In the War of 1812 units of the 2nd Infantry fought several engagements with the British. The Regiment was made famous by the gallant defense of Fort Bowyer, in Alabama, on 15 September 1814 when 120 2nd Infantrymen held off four British vessels and a motley force of 130 Royal Marines, 100 Spanish infantrymen, and some 600 Indians. The 2nd Infantry losses in the battle were 4 killed and 4 wounded while the British suffered 32 killed and 40 wounded and the loss of one ship. Major William Lawrence, who was in command of the fort, was brevetted for gallantry in this action, together with Captains Chamberlain, Brownlow and Bradley. Lieutenants Villard, Sturgis, Conway, H. Saunders, T. R. Saunders, Brooks, Davis and C. Saunders, are all mentioned by General Jackson in dispatches.

Captain John M. Davis of the Regiment was made a brevet major for gallantry at the siege of New Orleans in December 1814 and several companies of the 2nd Infantry were in New Orleans at the time of the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815.

On 11–12 February 1815 the British attacked Fort Bowyer again, Major William Lawrence of the 2nd Infantry was still in command there. Jackson had reinforced Lawrence, who now commanded some 370 troops from the Regiment, and had three long 32-pounders, eight 24s, six 12s, five 9s, a mortar and a howitzer. Jackson proclaimed "ten thousand men cannot take it".

The British forced Lawrence, who had been wounded, to surrender Fort Bowyer after a five-day siege but their victory was short lived because the war had already ended. Still, the British had captured the Regiment's colors, which are on display at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, England; several requests have been made for their return to the Regiment, which the British have declined.

In the Spring of 1815 the regiment was consolidated with several other regiments to form a new 1st Infantry, thus the chronicles of the original Second Infantry came to an end.

NOTE: The 2nd Infantry did not participate in any of the battles in Canada during the War of 1812, it was in the Deep South, headquartered in and around New Orleans. The War Department ruled that by the consolidations of 1815 the Regiment's distinguished services prior to 15 May 1815 are to be credited and that the Second Infantry inherited the records of the regiments consolidated into its organization. The regimental colors therefore bear the names Canada, Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane, although at the time the Regiment did not participate in these battles.

Modern 2nd Infantry Regiment

Under an act of Congress dated 3 March 1815 the Regular Army was drastically reduced and on 17 May 1815 a new Second Infantry was formed in accordance with this act by the consolidation of the 6th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, and 32nd Regiments of Infantry. The date of organization of the present regiment is that of the 6th Infantry, 12 April 1808. At this time the original 2nd Infantry became part of the 1st Infantry. Colonel Hugh Brady is the regiments' commanding officer with Henry Leavenworth and Ninian Pinkney as the major and lieutenant-colonel respectively. The regimental number "2" was based on the fact that the commanding officer, Colonel Hugh Brady, was the second ranking colonel among all the regimental commanders of the United States Army.

The War Department ruled that by the consolidations of 1815 the distinguished service and battle honors of the Regiment prior to 1815 are to be credited.

First Indian War Period

In the ensuing years the Regiment was primarily concerned with manning and constructing forts around the Great Lakes. When the Black Hawk War of 1832 erupted the 2nd Infantry was sent to Illinois but did not actually participate in any fighting. The 2nd Infantry returned to its posts on the Great Lakes. During the Second Seminole War, from 1838 to 1842, the Regiment was in Florida, where it was on the move daily, fighting and building roads and installations. In April 1840 with Colonel Brady attending to other duty assignments Lieutenant Colonel Bennett C. Riley assumed command of the Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Riley remains in command of the Regiment until January 1850. In 1843 the Regiment returned to its posts on Lakes Ontario and Champlain in upstate New York .

Ramrod

In 1843, LTC Bennett C. Riley, who commanded the 2nd Infantry through the Seminole and Mexican-American Wars presented the Regiment with a drum major's baton, made from a ramrod, with a silver knob inscribed with the date of presentation, the name of the officer giving it and the regimental motto, "Noli Me Tangere". During the assault on the fortress at Chapultepec, Mexico in 1847 the baton was broken and a part of the flagstaff from that fortress was used to repair the baton with the silver mountings transferred to it. The baton is the symbol of the regiment’s nickname: "RAMRODS". It is presently in the 1st Infantry Division museum at Fort Riley, Kansas.

NOTE: The location of the Baton at Fort Riley has been confirmed by the 2nd Battalion Commander 26 May 2009

War with Mexico

When war broke out with Mexico in 1846, the 2nd Infantry Regiment was sent to Camargo, Mexico and joined General David E. Twiggs' Brigade. From September 1846 to December 1847 the Regiment campaigned from the Rio Grande River to Veracruz, and on to Mexico City. The Regiment returned to the United States in mid-1848.

Second Indian War Period

In September 1848 because of conflicts with the Indians in Oregon and California the regiment was sent west. The Regiment sailed via Rio de Janeiro, Cape Horn and Santiago Chile to California. Between 1849 and 1853 the regiment was in California occupying stations from Goose Lake on the north to Fort Yuma on the south and the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the east, scouting, providing protection for the 49'ers and fighting throughout the entire area. The Regiment returned to New York in 1853 only to be sent to the Western Plains where it was occupied in the constructing or reconstructing of forts, building roads and scouting the hills and plains along the Missouri River as far west as Fort Kearny, Nebraska and Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

American Civil War

During the Civil War the 2nd Infantry was involved in some of the first fighting of the war that took place at Wilson's Creek in Missouri and the first Battle of Bull Run. The Regiment fought in numerous major engagements such as Manassas, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. By June 1864 the commissioned and enlisted strength of the regiment had reached such a low figure, less than 100 men, that in accordance with the request of the regimental commander the remaining enlisted men were transferred to Company C, and that company was given a full complement of officers, non-commissioned officers. From then until December 1864 the entire regiment consisted of just Company C. On 18 April 1869 the 2nd Infantry was consolidated with the 16th Infantry and the consolidated unit was designated as the 2nd Infantry. Between the end of the war in 1865 and 1877 the Regiment was deployed throughout the south enforcing the “Reconstruction” laws.

Note: The 2nd Infantry bears 9 battle honors from the Southern Campaign through its 1869 consolidation with the 16th Infantry. This unit was present at battles in that sector, including Atlanta, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Murfreesboro.

Third Indian War Period

From 1877 to 1886 the Regiment was in Washington, Oregon and Idaho Territory campaigning against the Nez Perce, and then the Bannocks and also a tribe called the Sheepeater Indians. During this entire period the Regiment suffered 1 soldier killed, 2 wounded and 1 death by drowning. In 1886 it moved to Fort Omaha, Nebraska to help fight the Sioux. Although it did not participate, the Regiment was on the Pine Ridge Reservation in December 1890 when the Wounded Knee Massacre took place. The Regiment remained on the western plains until 1898.

Spanish–American War

In 1898 the Regiment was deployed to Cuba at the start of the Spanish–American War, sailing on the same ship with the Rough Riders. The Regiment fought in the battles of Santiago and San Juan Hill, where it fought on the extreme left of San Juan Heights. In August 1898, the Regiment returned to the United States only to return to Cuba in January 1899. The Regiment stayed in Cuba until September 1899 when it returned to the United States to prepare for deployment to the Philippines.

Philippine Insurection

In August/September 1900 the 2nd Infantry was deployed to deal with the Philippine Insurection during which it fought in over 25 engagements on several of the islands. In May 1903 the Regiment returned to duty in the western United States, it was stationed at Fort Logan, Colorado and Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming. In February 1906 the Regiment was redeployed to the Philippines and remained there until returning to the United States in March 1908. The 3rd Battalion went to Fort Assinniboine, Montana and the balance of the Regiment to Fort Thomas, Kentucky for training and garrison duties until deploying to Hawaii in 1911.

World War I

When war broke out, the Regiment was on security duty in the Hawaiian Islands guarding interned German ships and sailors, as well as various US installations. On 18 November 1917, the Regiment (-) turned out for the funeral of Hawaii's ex-queen Lilioukalani. In July 1918, it returned to the United States and was assigned to the 19th Division at Camp Dodge, Iowa. The war ended just as the Regiment was about to deploy to France. In 1919, the 2nd Infantry was relieved from the 19th Division and resumed as a separate regiment.

Post World War I

In September 1919 following the Regiments release from the 19th Division it is stationed at Camp Sherman, Ohio. In October 1921 the Regiment is ordered to Fort Snelling, Minnesota and Fort Sheridan, Illinois but as they reach their destinations the 2nd and 3rd Battalions are eliminated and Headquarters and 1st Battalion are at Fort Sheridan as a training battalion. In August 1922 the Regiment is redesignated a combat regiment and the 2nd and 3rd Battalions are reorganized using personnel from the 54th Infantry. In March 1923 the Regiment is assigned to the 6th Division. Headquarters and 1st Battalion stay at Fort Sheridan, 2nd Battalion is at Fort Wayne (Detroit), Michigan and 3rd Battalion is at Fort Brady, Michigan. On 19 June 1936 a new distinctive unit insignia is authorized. Between August 1922 and October 1939 no major changes are made to the Regiment. The Regiment participated in the usual garrison training, maneuvers, field training and other duties.

World War II

In 1939 prior to World War II, the Regiment was assigned to the 5th Infantry Division. In February 1942 the Regiment was sent to Iceland for training, to provide security for U. S. bases located there and to load and unload supply ships. The Regiment was then sent to England and then Ireland for training. In July 1944 the Regiment along with the 5th Infantry Division landed in Normandy, France. It became part of General George Patton's Third United States Army, leading the way in the breakout from the beaches of Normandy in Operation Cobra, capturing Rheims and then seized Metz after a major battle at Fort Driant. On 13 July 1944 SSGT Robert Bass was killed by enemy artillery fire, he is the first KIA of the war from the 2nd Infantry and also the 5th Division. When the Battle of the Bulge began the Regiment moved to the battle zone in the area of Niderannven Luxembourg. In January 1945 the 2nd Infantry Regiment forced a crossing of the Sauer River and attacked into the Siegfried Line. The Regiment crossed the Rhine River near Oppenheim and secured the crossing for other Third Army units. The unit then spearheaded the attack into Czechoslovakia and was located near the town of Volary when the word came to cease all forward movement at 0831 hours on the 7th of May 1945. In 276 days of combat the Regiment captured 275 cities and towns, crossed 20 rivers and captured 22,103 of the enemy.

Post World War II

Following WW II the Regiment returned to the United States and was inactivated and activated several times and even returned to Germany for a period. During the Korean Conflict the Regiment was stationed at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania with the 5th Infantry Division training recruits for deployment to Korea. In June 1957 at the time of the Pentomic reorganization the regiment was stationed at Fort Ord, California with the 5th Infantry Division, serving as a training regiment. The 2nd Battalion was reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battle Group, 2nd Infantry and released from assignment with 5th Infantry Division and assigned to the 1st Infantry Division. At this time both the 1st and 3rd Battalions were inactivated. In January 1959 the 2nd Battle Group was reassigned to the 24th Infantry Division in Germany. In February 1962 the 2nd Battalion was reassigned from the 24th Infantry Division and returned to the 5th Infantry Division and was stationed at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Also in February 1962 the 1st Battalion was activated and also assigned to the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Devens.

Vietnam

File:2-2 infantry vietnam.jpg

Stan Przblynski and Ken Kroll in front of 2/2 Infantry headquarters sign at Dau Tieng Aug 69 (Photo:Ken Kroll)

In July 1965 the 1st and 2nd Battalions were assigned to the 1st Infantry Division and in September 1965 they deployed to Vietnam. The battalions initially fought as light infantry in the areas North and West of Saigon. In January 1967 the 2nd Battalion became mechanized, they were the first one in the division. Major operations include: Junction City, the largest operation conducted up to that time, Lam Son II, Paul Bunyan, An Loc and An Loc II, plus numerous other operations and small unit actions. It is difficult to detail the 2 battalions actions in Vietnam because contact with the enemy was almost daily. Most engagements were sudden, quick and furious with the battalions winning the day. All in all both battalions did proud for themselves, earning numerous awards and citations. Both battalions returned to the United States in April 1970.

“BLACK SCARVES”

On 30 April 1966 in a sweep through the village of Lo Go the 1st Battalion was engage in heavy fighting and it was during this time that a large quantity of black cloth was captured. This cloth was used by the Viet Cong to make their "Black Pajama" uniforms. At the direction of battalion commander, LTC Richard Prillaman, this cloth was made into scarves to be worn by the battalion’s soldiers. LTC Prillaman wanted to be able to distinguish his battalion from other division soldiers and to provide the soldiers with something more appropriate than the towels the men were wearing around their necks. It is from this that the battalion has as its nickname “Black Scarves”. The printing on the scarves was a different colors for each company, they are as follows; HHC, yellow, Company A, red, Company B, white, Company C, blue and Company D, green.

“IRON FIST”

The following statement was made by Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, in January 1968. “The 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry (Mechanized) "The Iron Fist of the Big Red One” is one of the most versatile units in the First Division. The use of Armored Personnel Carriers for fast ground deployment adds greatly to the battalions reactionary capabilities. The 2nd Battalion called themselves “Iron Fists” from that time until they returned to the United States in 1970.

Post Vietnam

File:Ski roof.jpg

2-2 Infantry conducting a raid in Kosovo, 2000(Photo:Jason Mitchell)

On 15 April 1970 the 2nd Battalion is inactivated at Fort Riley, Kansas. On 21 March 1973 the 2nd Battalion was relieved from assignment to the 1st Infantry Division (M) and reassigned to the 9th Infantry Division and activated at Fort Lewis, Washington. The 1st Battalion remained with the 1st Infantry Division until it was inactivated on 1 October 1983. The 2nd Battalion was activated on 6 November 1987 as a Combined Arms Battalion-Heavy (CAB-H). In May 1991 the 2nd Battalion was inactivated and relieved from assignment to the 9th Infantry Division.

The 2nd Battalion was reassigned to the 1st Infantry Division and activated on 16 February 1996 at Rose Barracks, Vilseck Germany. The 2nd Battalion deployed to Bosnia in support of operation Joint Guard in 1996. In 1997 the battalion was awarded the Army Superior Unit Award for actions such as Brcko riots and Hill 562. The 2nd Battalion redeployed to Vilseck in October 1997. On the 24th of November 1999, the battalion deployed to Camp Monteith, Kosovo. The battalion was redeployed to Vilseck in June 2000. The unit was again deployed to Camp Monteith, Kosovo in November 2002 until July 2003 as the last regular Army unit conducting operations. The national guard took formal command of operations from the 2nd Battalion.

War on Terrorism

File:2-2 Mortar base iraq.jpg

Sign for Mortar Platoon Base, Iraq 2004 (Photo:Rob Torres)

In April 2003 with Operation Iraqi Freedom under way, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry deployed to Bashur Airfield in Northern Iraq as part of 173rd Airborne Brigade Task Force 1-63 ARMOR, to aid in opening a northern front in Iraq. This was called Operation Airborne Dragon, Northern Iraq, with the entire Task Force being air lifted from Germany.

In the spring of 2004 the 2nd Battalion deployed to Iraq with the 1st Infantry Division. On 20 July 2004 SSGT Raymond Bittinger, 3rd Platoon, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry was awarded a Silver Star for leadership and heroism under fire on 9 April 2004 in Baqubah, Iraq. SSGT Bittinger was the first soldier of the 1st Infantry Division to receive a Silver Star during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In November 2004 Task Force 2-2, which comprised HHC, Company A, and Scouts of the 2/2, Company A, 2/63 Armor and Troop F, 4 Cavalry fought alongside US Marines in the Battle of Fallujah. One of the Battalion's members, SSG David Bellavia, was recommended for the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross for actions during the battle. Both awards are still under review. 2-2 Infantry also fought at Al Muqdadiyah, An Najaf, Al Fallujah, Mosul, and Baqubah. The 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry received a Presidential Unit Award for their actions in the Battle of Fallujah.

The 2nd Battalion returned to Germany in February 2005. In May 2006 the battalion was disbanded and the colors were cased. On 19 April 2007 the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry was activated as a light infantry battalion with the 1st Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team at Fort Hood, Texas.

On 17 March 2008, for the first time in over 24 years, the 1st Battalion was activated in Schweinfurt, Germany with the reflagging of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry. 1-18 was a part of 2nd "Dagger" Brigade, 1st Infantry Division which was also reflagged as the 172nd Infantry Brigade (Separate). The 1st Battalion is assigned to 172nd Infantry Brigade and is at present a mechanized infantry battalion. The battalion has adopted the motto "BACK IN BLACK" in recognition of the battalion's service in Vietnam and the wearing of a Black Scarf. The soldiers of the 1st Battalion continue the tradition of wearing a black scarf.

In June 2008 the 2nd Battalion, along with the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, deployed to Afghanistan. The Battalion conducted operations in the Maywand District of Kandahar Province. On 4 September 2008 Company C, 2nd Battalion suffered its first casualties when a Humvee was hit by an IED. On 28 May 2009 PFC Robert Debolt, a rifleman with the 2nd Battalion, was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry.

In December 2008 the 1st Battalion deployed to Iraq. In June 2009 the 2nd Battalion began returning to Fort Hood, Texas from Afghanistan. On 10 September 2009 the 2nd Battalion had a change of command and on 16 October 2009, after moving to Fort Knox, Kentucky, the 2nd Battalion, along with the entire 3rd Brigade Combat Team, had an Activation Ceremony. Fort Knox is now the battalion's new home. On December 8, 2009 SGT Zachary Swelfer received a Silver Star for his actions while in Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion.

In late October 2009 the first elements of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry and the 172nd Infantry Brigade began returning to Germany from Iraq. By mid November the entire Battalion was back in Germany. The 1st Battalion had a change of command on 19 May 2010 and is also in the process of moving to Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Lineage

Regiment

Constituted 12 April 1808 in the Regular Army as the 6th Infantry

Organized May-July 1808 in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey

Consolidated May-October 1815 with the 16th Infantry (constituted 11 January 1812), the 22d and 23d Infantry (both constituted 26 June 1812), and the 32d Infantry (constituted 29 January 1813) to form the 2d Infantry

Consolidated 18 April 1869 with the 16th Infantry (see ANNEX) and consolidated unit designated as the 2d Infantry

Assigned 27 July 1918 to the 19th Division

Relieved 14 February 1919 from assignment to the 19th Division

Assigned 24 March 1923 to the 6th Division

Relieved 16 October 1939 from assignment to the 6th Division and assigned to the 5th Division (later redesignated as the 5th Infantry Division)

Inactivated 20 September 1946 at Camp Campbell, Kentucky

Activated 15 July 1947 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Inactivated 30 April 1950 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Activated 1 March 1951 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania

Inactivated 1 September 1953 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania Activated 25 May 1954 in Germany

Relieved 1 June 1957 from assignment to the 5th Infantry Division and reorganized as a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System

Withdrawn 16 June 1986 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System

Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 2d Infantry Regiment

ANNEX

Constituted 3 May 1861 in the Regular Army as the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry

Organized 21 August 1861 at Camp Slemmer (Chicago), Illinois

Reorganized and redesignated 21 September 1866 as the 16th Infantry

1st Battalion

Constituted 12 April 1808 in the Regular Army as a company of the 6th Infantry

Organized between May and July 1808 in Pennsylvania, New York, or New Jersey

Consolidated May-October 1815 with a company of the 16th Infantry (constituted 11 January 1812), a company each of the 22d and 23d Infantry (both constituted 26 June 1812), and a company of the 32d Infantry (constituted 29 January 1813) to form a company of the 2d Infantry

Designated 22 May 1816 as Company A, 2d Infantry

Consolidated 18 April 1869 with Company A, 16th Infantry (see ANNEX) and consolidated unit designated as Company A, 2d Infantry (2d Infantry assigned 27 July 1918 to the 19th Division; relieved 14 February 1919 from assignment to the 19th Division; assigned 24 March 1923 to the 6th Division; relieved 16 October 1939 from assignment to the 6th Division and assigned to the 5th Division (later redesignated as the 5th Infantry Division))

Inactivated 20 September 1946 at Camp Campbell, Kentucky

Activated 15 July 1947 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Inactivated 30 April 1950 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Activated 1 March 1951 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania

Inactivated 1 September 1953 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania

Activated 25 May 1954 in Germany

Inactivated 1 June 1957 at Fort Ord, California, and relieved from assignment to the 5th Infantry Division; concurrently, redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battle Group, 2d Infantry

Redesignated 19 February 1962 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry, assigned to the 5th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Devens, Massachusetts (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated)

Redesignated 19 February 1962 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry, assigned to the 5th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Devens, Massachusetts (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated)

Relieved 12 July 1965 from assignment to the 5th Infantry Division and assigned to the 1st Infantry Division

Inactivated 1 October 1983 at Fort Riley, Kansas, and relieved from assignment to the 1st Infantry Division

Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment

Activated 16 March 2008 in Germany

ANNEX

Constituted 3 May 1861 in the Regular Army as Company A, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry

Organized 21 August 1861 at Camp Slemmer (Chicago), Illinois

Reorganized and redesignated 21 September 1866 as Company A, 16th Infantry

Consolidated 18 April 1869 with Company A, 2d Infantry, and consolidated unit designated as Company A, 2d Infantry

2nd Battalion

Constituted 12 April 1808 in the Regular Army as a company of the 6th Infantry

Organized between May and July 1808 in Pennsylvania, New York, or New Jersey

Consolidated May-October 1815 with a company of the 16th Infantry (constituted 11 January 1812), a company each of the 22d and 23d Infantry (both constituted 26 June 1812), and a company of the 32d Infantry (constituted 29 January 1813) to form a company of the 2d Infantry Designated 22 May 1816 as Company B, 2d Infantry

Consolidated 18 April 1869 with Company B, 16th Infantry (see ANNEX), and consolidated unit designated as Company B, 2d Infantry

(2d Infantry assigned 27 July 1918 to the 19th Division; relieved 14 February 1919 from assignment to the 19th Division; assigned 24 March 1923 to the 6th Division; relieved 16 October 1939 from assignment to the 6th Division and assigned to the 5th Division [later redesignated as the 5th Infantry Division])

Inactivated 20 September 1946 at Camp Campbell, Kentucky

Activated 15 July 1947 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Inactivated 30 April 1950 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Activated 1 March 1951 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania

Inactivated 1 September 1953 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania

Activated 25 May 1954 in Germany

Reorganized and redesignated 15 February 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battle Group, 2d Infantry, relieved from assignment to the 5th Infantry Division, and assigned to the 1st Infantry Division (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated)

Relieved 28 January 1959 from assignment to the 1st Infantry Division and assigned to the 24th Infantry Division

Reorganized and redesignated 19 February 1962 as the 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry; concurrently relieved from assignment to the 24th Infantry Division and assigned to the 5th Infantry Division

Relieved 12 July 1965 from assignment to the 5th Infantry Division and assigned to the 1st Infantry Division

Inactivated 15 April 1970 at Fort Riley, Kansas

Relieved 21 March 1973 from assignment to the 1st Infantry Division, assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Lewis, Washington

Inactivated 15 May 1991 at Fort Lewis, Washington, and relieved from assignment to the 9th Infantry Division

Assigned 16 February 1996 to the 1st Infantry Division and activated in Germany

Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment

Relieved 16 April 2007 from assignment to the 1st Infantry Division and assigned to the 3d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

ANNEX

Constituted 3 May 1861 in the Regular Army as Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry

Organized 21 August 1861 at Camp Slemmer (Chicago), Illinois

Reorganized and redesignated 21 September 1866 as Company B, 16th Infantry

Medal of Honor recipients

Two soldiers earned the Medal of Honor while serving with the 2nd Infantry:

• First Sergeant Daniel W. Burke, Company B, for his actions at Shepherdstown Ford, Virginia, on September 20, 1862. When his unit retreated across the Potomac, he learned that a piece of artillery had been left unspiked, leaving it usable by the enemy. He volunteered to go back and disable the gun, and returned "to spike a gun in the face of the enemy." He was was recommended for promotion to a second lieutenant in the 2nd Infantry on July 18, 1862 in Co. K, 2nd U.S., although he did not accept the commission until November 1862, and 1st Lieutenant on 2 July 1863. He remained in the Army and retired as a Brigadier General on October 31, 1899.

• Staff Sergeant James Leroy Bondsteel, Company A, 2nd Battalion, for his actions in An Loc Province, Vietnam, on May 24, 1969. The major U.S. Army base in Kosovo, Camp Bondsteel, was named in his honor.

Two officers who would later become executive officers of the 2nd Infantry received Medals of Honor in the Civil War:

• Major General Henry C. Merriam, for his conspicuous gallantry at Fort Blakely, Alabama, April 9, 1865 while in command of the 73rd U.S. Colored Troops. As a lieutenant colonel, Merriam was executive officer of the 2nd Infantry from June 1876 to July 1885. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
• Brigadier General William M. Wherry, for his actions at Wilson Creek on August 10, 1861 while serving as a first lieutenant with Company D, 3rd U.S. Reserve Missouri Infantry. As a lieutenant colonel, Wherry was executive officer of the 2nd Infantry from December 1894 to December 1898 and commanded the regiment, in the absence of Colonel John Bates, during its deployment to Cuba in 1898 during the Spanish-American War.

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Description: A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 (2.86 cm) in height consisting of a shield blazoned: Or, on a saltire inches Azure between in fess a cross pattée and a five-bastioned fort Gules and in base a giant cactus Vert, two arrows in a quiver Proper crossed with a bolo Argent hilted Sable. Attached below the shield is a Blue scroll inscribed "NOLI ME TANGERE" in Gold letters.

Symbolism: Service in the Civil War is shown by the blue cross from the Confederate flag and the red cross pattée, the badge of the 18th Division, V Corps, in which the regiment served during the greater part of that war. Service in the Mexican War is shown by the cactus; in the War with Spain by the five-bastioned fort, the badge of the V Corps in Cuba. The Indian campaigns of the regiment are shown by the arrows and quiver, and the bolo is for service in the Philippine Insurrection.

Background: The first design for the distinctive unit insignia of the 2d Infantry Regiment was approved on 20 February 1920. That design was cancelled and the present design authorized for the regiment on 19 June 1936.

Coat of Arms

Blazon:

Shield: Or on a saltire Azure between in fess a cross pattée and a five-bastioned fort Gules and in base a giant cactus Vert, two arrows in a quiver Proper crossed with a bolo Argent hilted Sable.

Crest: On a wreath of the colors a lion passant guardant Or.

Motto: NOLI ME TANGERE (Do Not Touch Me)

Symbolism

Shield: Service in the Civil War is shown by the blue cross from the Confederate flag and the red cross pattée, the badge of the 18th Division, V Corps, in which the regiment served during the greater part of that war. Service in the Mexican War is shown by the cactus; in the War with Spain by the five-bastioned fort, the badge of the V Corps in Cuba. The Indian campaigns of the regiment are shown by the arrows and quiver, and the bolo is for service in the Philippine Insurrection.

Crest: The lion represents the Canadian campaigns of the War of 1812.

Background: The coat of arms was approved on 6 June 1921.

2nd Infantry Honors

Campaigns

War of 1812

1. Canada
2. Battle of Chippewa
3. Battle of Lundy's Lane
4. Alabama 1814

Mexican-American War

1. Vera Cruz
2. Cerro Gordo
3. Contreras
4. Churubusco
5. Molino del Rey
6. Chapultepec

Indian Wars

1. Miami
2. Seminoles
3. Nez Perces
4. Bannocks
5. Pine Ridge
6. California 1850
7. California 1851
8. California 1852

Civil War

1. Bull Run
2. Peninsula
3. Shiloh
4. Manassas
5. Antietam
6. Fredericksburg
7. Murfreesboro
8. Chancellorsville
9. Gettysburg
10. Chickamauga
11. Chattanooga
12. Wilderness
13. Atlanta
14. Spotsylvania
15. Cold Harbor
16. Siege of Petersburg
17. Missouri 1861
18. Kentucky 1862
19. Mississippi 1862
20. Virginia 1862
21. Virginia 1863
22. Tennessee 1863
23. Georgia 1864

Spanish-American War

1. Santiago

Philippine Insurrection

1. Streamer W/O Inscription

World War II

1. Normandy
2. Northern France
3. Rhineland
4. Ardennes-Alsace
5. Central Europe

Vietnam

1. Defense
2. Counteroffensive
3. Counteroffensive, Phase II
4. Counteroffensive, Phase III
5. Tet Counteroffensive
6. Counteroffensive, Phase IV
7. Counteroffensive, Phase V
8. Counteroffensive, Phase VI
9. Tet 69/Counteroffensive
10. Summer-Fall 1969
11. Winter-Spring 1970

War on Terrorism

1. Iraq

Decorations

Regiment

1. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for FALLUJAH 2004
2. Valorous Unit Award for AP BAU BANG 1965
3. Valorous Unit Award for BINH DUONG PROVINCE 1965
4. Valorous Unit Award for BINH LONG PROVINCE 1969
5. Army Superior Unit Award fur 1997

1st Battalion

1. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered IRAQ 2008-2009
2. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1965-1968
3. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1969
4. Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1965-1970
5. Company A entitled to: Valorous Unit Award for AN LOC 1970
6. Company A entitled to: Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered IRAQ OCT 2008-SEP 2009

2nd Battalion

1. Presidential Unit Citation for FALLUJAH 2004
2. Valorous Unit Award for AP BAU BANG 1965
3. Valorous Unit Award for BINH DUONG PROVINCE 1965
4. Valorous Unit Award for BINH LONG PROVINCE 1969
5. Company C entitled to: Valorous Unit Award for BINH LONG PROVINCE 1968
6. Army Superior Unit Award for 1997
7. Company E entitled to: DUC embroidered SANRY SUR NIED. (WD GO 68, 1945)
8. Company H 1st Section, 3rd Platoon entitled to: DUC embroidered SANRY SUR NIED. (nondisplayable) (WD GO 68, 1945)
9. Company E entitled to: Fr CdeG with Palm embroidered SANRY SUR NIED. (DA GO 43, 1950)
10. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1965-1968
11. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1969
12. Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1965-1970

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.

• The Soldiers of America's First Army 1791, Richard M. Lytle, Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2004
• One Hundred and Forty Years of Service in Peace and War History of the Second Infantry United States Army, Frederick B. Shaw, Strathmore Press, 1930
• Official Army Register for 1929. Internet Archive. http://www.archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi1929unit#page/920/mode/2up
• Army Lineage Series: Infantry: Part 1: Regular Army: 12-16 http://www.history.army.mil/books/Lineage/in/infantry.htm#1
• Lineage and Honors, 2nd Infantry. United States Army Center of Military History. http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/inf/0002in.htm
• Lineage and Honors, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry. United States Army Center of Military History.
• Lineage and Honors, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry. United States Army Center of Military History.
• Wright, Lieut. W. M., Adjutant 2d U. S. Infantry. "The Second Regiment of Infantry".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link), in Rodenbough, Theo. P., Bvt. Brigadier General, USA (1896). The Army of the United States: Historical Sketches of Staff and Line with Portraits of Generals-in-Chief. New York: Maynard, Merrill & Co. pp. 414–431. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• "Medal of Honor Citations". United States Army Center of Military History. Retrieved 29 October 2008.

External links

• Link to 2/2 Pictures from Kosovo 1999 - 2000
• House to House: An Epic Memoir of War - David Bellavia's memoir containing the events of 2/2's involvement in Fallujah, Iraq.
• 2nd Infantry Regiment Association
• Photos of the Units Reactivation at Ft Hood.