| Unit Name: | 131st Infantry Regiment |
| Type: | Infantry |
| Dates: | 1874 |
| Size: | Regiment |
| Nickname: | FIRST ILLINOIS |
| Motto: | DUCIT AMOR PATRIAE (Led by love of country) |
| Notable Commanders: | Maj. Gen. Joseph B. Sanborn[1] |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Distinctive Unit Insignia |
The 131st Infantry Regiment is an Infantry Regiment in the Army National Guard.
Constituted in the Illinois State Guard as the 1st Battalion of Infantry and organized 14 September 1874 in Chicago from the following companies raised entirely by subscription:
A Silver color metal and enamel device NaNinches in height consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, a closet between two wavy barrulets, surmounted by a pairle, Argent; overall the old insignia of the First Regiment of Infantry, Illinois National Guard, (wheel within a diamond) Proper; in chief four fleurs-de-lis, three and one, of the second. Attached above the shield on a wreath, upon a grassy field the blockhouse of old Fort Dearborn, all Silver Gray. Attached below and to the sides of the shield a Silver scroll inscribed "DUCIT AMOR PATRIAE" in Blue letters.
The shield is blue – the present Infantry color, and the main charges are silver or white – the old Infantry facing color. The pairle is taken from the Chicago seal: the first wavy barrulets represents Spanish–American War service, the closet Mexican Border duty, and the second wavy barrulets the second time the organization was in Federal service overseas. The four fleurs-de-lis represent the engagements during World War I. The charge in the fess point is the insignia of the old First Regiment of Infantry, Illinois National Guard. The motto translates to "Led By Love Of Country."
The distinctive unit insignia was approved for the 131st Infantry Regiment on 19 April 1927.
Azure, a closet between two wavy barrulets, surmounted by a pairle, Argent; overall the old insignia of the First Regiment of Infantry, Illinois National Guard, (wheel within a diamond) Proper; in chief four fleurs-de-lis, three and one, of the second.
That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Illinois Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure, upon a grassy field the blockhouse of old Fort Dearborn Proper. Motto: DUCIT AMOR PATRIAE (Led By Love Of Country).
The shield is blue – the present Infantry color, and the main charges are silver or white – the old Infantry facing color. The pairle is taken from the Chicago seal: the first wavy barrulets represents Spanish–American War service, the closet Mexican Border duty, and the second wavy barrulets the second time the organization was in Federal service overseas. The four fleurs-de-lis represent the engagements during World War I. The charge in the fess point is the insignia of the old First Regiment of Infantry, Illinois National Guard.
The crest is that of the Illinois Army National Guard.
The coat of arms was approved on 19 April 1927
Through consolidation with the 132nd Infantry Regiment, the 131st Infantry Regiment is entitled to display World War II-era awards earned by the former unit.
Presidential Unit Citation (Navy)Philippine Presidential Unit Citation