| Unit Name: | 38th Infantry Regiment |
| Dates: | 1917-present |
| Type: | Infantry |
| Nickname: | Rock of the Marne (special designation) [1] |
| Battles: | World War I World War II Korean War Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
| Current Commander: | LTC Timothy W. Chess |
| Current Commander Label: | Battalion Commander |
| Colonel Of The Regiment: | CSM Tyler V. Arnold |
| Colonel Of The Regiment Label: | Command Sergeant Major |
| Notable Commanders: | Henry C. Merriam Ulysses G. McAlexander Olinto M. Barsanti |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Distinctive unit insignia |
The 38th Infantry Regiment ("Rock of the Marne")[1] is a United States Army infantry regiment.
The first 38th United States Colored Infantry Regiment served from January 23, 1864, to January 25, 1867.
The second 38th Infantry was first established on 28 July 1866, as part of the Regular Army, one of six segregated, all-black regiments created following the Civil War. It was organized on 1 October of that year at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and was stationed in New Mexico Territory and along the transcontinental railroads then under construction. Cathay Williams, the first recorded African American female to serve in the U.S. Army, served with the 38th during this time, disguised as a male. On 15 March 1869, the 38th was consolidated with the 41st Infantry Regiment and redesignated as the 24th Infantry Regiment.
The current 38th Infantry Regiment was constituted in the Regular Army on 15 May 1917, and was organized on 1 June 1917 at Syracuse, New York. It was assigned 1 October 1917 to the 3rd Infantry Division. It saw service in France during the Second Battle of the Marne (Battle of Château-Thierry); 15 July 1918, its first day of participation in the battle, was later chosen as the regiment's "organization day."
The regiment arrived at the port of New York on 20 August 1919 on the troopship USS Matsonia and was transferred the same day to Camp Merritt, New Jersey, where emergency period personnel were discharged from the service. It was transferred on 23 August 1919 to Camp Pike, Arkansas, and was transferred on 16 September 1921 to Camp Lewis, Washington. The regiment, less the 1st Battalion, was transferred on 6 June 1922 to Fort Douglas, Utah. Concurrently, the 1st Battalion was transferred to Fort Logan, Colorado. The 1st Battalion was transferred in June 1927 to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In April 1933, the regiment assumed command and control of the Fort Douglas Civilian Conservation Corps District. The 1st Battalion was inactivated on 1 October 1933 at Fort Sill, with the personnel and equipment transferred to the 3rd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment. The 1st Battalion was reactivated on 1 May 1939 at Fort Sill. The regiment was relieved from the 3rd Division on 12 October 1939 and assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, being transferred on 9 November 1939 to Camp Bullis, Texas, and to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on 24 February 1941.[2]
Five members of the 38th Infantry were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in the Korean War:
| Ribbon | Award | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Unit Citation (United States) (Army) | 08/22/1944 - 08/23/1944 | for service for HILL 154, BREST | |
| Presidential Unit Citation (United States) (Army) | 12/10/1944 - 12/20/1944 | for service for KRINKELT | |
| Presidential Unit Citation (United States) (Army) | 05/16/1951 - 06/02/1951 | for service for HONGCHON | |
| Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (Army) | 1950 | for service for NAKTON RIVER LINE | |
| Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (Army) | 1950 - 1952 | for service in Korea | |
| Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (Army) | 1950 - 1953 | for service in Korea | |
| Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) | 4/2007 - 6/2008 | for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom | |
| Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) | 09/2009 - 09/2010 | for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom | |
| Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) | 11/24/2012 - 07/25/2013 | for service in Operation Enduring Freedom | |
| Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) | 04/2018 - 02/2019 | For Service in Operation Freedom Sentinel | |
4. Co. A 2/38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Inf. Division was located at Camp BLV AND CAMP WALLY during the years of at least 1968-1970.