18th Infantry Regiment (United States) explained

Unit Name:18th Infantry Regiment
Type:Mechanized infantry
Dates:1861–present
Garrison:1–18: Fort Riley, Kansas
Nickname:"Vanguards" (special designation)[1]
Motto:"'Til the Last Round!"
Battles:American Civil War
Indian Wars
Spanish–American War
Philippine–American War
World War I
World War II

Vietnam War
Gulf War
Iraq War
War in Afghanistan

Notable Commanders:Henry B. Carrington
Thomas H. Ruger
Captain William J. Fetterman
Henry W. Wessells
Ulysses G. McAlexander
John M. J. Sanno[2]
Identification Symbol Label:Distinctive unit insignia

The 18th Infantry Regiment ("Vanguards")[1] is an infantry regiment of the United States Army. The regiment currently exists with one active battalion, under the U.S. Army Regimental System; regimental designation is used only for historical tradition, and there is no active regimental headquarters. The 18th Infantry once had up to four active battalions, but three have been inactivated:

History

Civil War

The 18th Infantry was constituted in the Regular Army on 3 May 1861, and was organized at Camp Thomas, Ohio. It participated in campaigns in the Western theater of the American Civil War as a part of the US XIV Army Corps, under MG George Thomas, MG John M. Palmer and MG Jefferson C. Davis. Engagements included Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and the campaign for Atlanta. At Utoy Creek, Georgia, on 5 August 1864 as part of Johnsons 1st Division, XIV Army Corps under MG John M Palmer, the Regular Brigade" that included the 18th Infantry was cited for making a crossing of North Utoy Creek under fire, assaulting and driving Armstrong's Confederate Cavalry Brigade, dismounted from their position at Peyton Road. 15th and 18th U.S. Infantry were cited for this action in official records. It then conducted a feint assault on 6 August 1864 to support XXIII Corps' attack at Utoy Creek, and participated in the three-week siege of Atlanta along the high ground east of Utoy Creek in southwest Atlanta, near Willis Mill and Adams Park (near current Fort McPherson).[3]

Indian Wars

Interwar period

The 18th Infantry arrived at the port of New York on 3 September 1919 on the troopship USS Mobile, and was transferred to Camp Merritt, New Jersey, where emergency period personnel were discharged from the service. The regiment participated in the 1st Division Victory Parades in New York City and Washington, D.C., on 10 and 17 September 1919, respectively. It was transferred on 4 October 1919 to Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky, and was transferred on 14 September 1920 to Camp Dix, New Jersey. The regimental headquarters was transferred on 10 September 1922 to Fort Slocum, New York, with the subordinate battalions concurrently transferred as follows: 1st Battalion to Fort Slocum; 2nd Battalion to Fort Schuyler, New York; and 3rd Battalion to Fort Hamilton, New York. The regiment was organized with elements of the 16th Infantry into the “Composite Regiment” and deployed to Washington, D.C., to act as an honor guard for the unveiling of the 1st Division War Memorial on 4 October 1924.

The regimental headquarters was transferred on 10 January 1928 to Fort Hamilton, and concurrently, the 3rd Battalion was transferred to Fort Slocum. Company H was awarded the Edwin Howard Clark trophy for machine gun marksmanship in 1928 and 1929. The 2nd Battalion was transferred on 3 July 1931 to Fort Wadsworth, New York. Elements of the regiment served as honor guard for Marshal Henri Petain during his visit to New York City on 24 October 1931. In April 1933, the regiment assumed command and control of portions of the 1st Civilian Conservation Corps District (New Jersey), Second Corps Area. The 3rd Battalion was transferred in June 1933 to Fort Wadsworth. The regiment departed the New York Port of Embarkation on 28 October 1939 on the troopship USAT Republic and debarked at the port of Charleston, South Carolina, en route to Fort Benning, Georgia. After maneuvers in Louisiana in May 1940, the regiment returned to Fort Hamilton on 5 June 1940. It was transferred on 27 February 1941 to Fort Devens, Massachusetts.[5]

World War II

Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm

December 1990, Elements of 5/18, and 4/18 Brigade deployed from NATO in Europe to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Operations Desert Shield, engaging into Iraq and Kuwait for Desert Storm and Provide Comfort. Units were inactivated shortly after Jun 1991.

Global War on Terror

Lieutenant-Colonel, commander of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment in Tikrit, paid $US500 to a driver to get his car repaired; paid "benevolent" money to the family of a victim of violence; paid people to clean streets; bought soccer kits for a team and repaired a swimming pool. Other officers have given money to ice-cream vendors, chicken farmers and hardware suppliers to get their businesses going. "I'm trying to give them something to do rather than take shots at someone," said Colonel Sinclair, who said he gets $US50,000 every three or four weeks to distribute. "It's not bribery. It's priming the pump. And it works well." The cash incentive scheme comes as some top officers are questioning whether the practice of keeping their troops highly visible in Iraq is doing more harm than good.

Victory Day

On 9 May 2010, a detachment led by Captain Matthew Strand from the 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment represented the United States in Russia's Victory Day parade across Red Square at the request of Russian Minister of Defence Anatoly Serdyukov in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.[10] [11] They were joined by British, French, and Polish troops as well as detachments from the CIS member states.[11] Labeled by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as the "Anti-Hitler Coalition," it marked the first time in history that American and NATO troops joined the Russian Military in the 9 May parade. A member of the contingent from Kemah, Texas, Russian-born 1st Lieutenant Ilya Ivanov, is a descendant of Major Alexander Peteryaev, a platoon leader in the Soviet Red Army.[12] [13] [14] The Head of the Military University of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Colonel General Valery Marchenkov later awarded to soldiers for their participation in the parade.

Lineage

[15]

ANNEX

Assigned to the 1st Division XIV Army Corps under Major General George H. Thomas, participated at the Battle of Chickamauga, GA as part of the Third (Regular) Brigade and was instrumental in preventing the destruction of the Union Army under Major General William Rosecrans at Chickamauga, GA Sep 1863. Participated in the operations at Chattanooga, GA and the following Atlanta Campaign assigned to the Third Brigade. Served under Brig. General John H. King and Brig. Gen. Absalom Baird's First Division and MG John M Palmer until the Attack at Utoy Creek. The 18th US Infantry distinguished itself in its performance, along with the 15th US Infantry, in a combat water crossing at North Utoy Creek, securing the position for the 1st Division under Brigadier General Johnston 3 Aug 1864[16] and participated in the preliminary and main attacks on 6 August 1864. Involved in cutting the rail lines south of Atlanta at Rough and Ready Station (Forest Park GA 30 Aug 1864). After the Capture of Atlanta, the regiment and the rest of the Army of the Cumberland moved back in pursuit of Hood's Confederate Army into Tennessee. Involved in the Battle of Nashville and the destruction of the Confederate Army of Tennessee on 15–16 December 1864. The unit crest shows the symbol of the XIV Corps, the Acorn, adopted by Gen. George H. Thomas, "The Rock of Chickamauga."

On 17 March 2008, 1–18 Infantry was inactivated in Schweinfurt, Germany, to be relocated to Fort Riley, Kansas. On 28 March, the 18th Infantry Regimental colors were un-cased at Fort Riley, and the unit that was the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment re-flagged to 1–18 Infantry (Combined Arms Battalion). The 28 March re-flagging at Fort Riley was part of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division's re-flagging to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, bringing all 1st Infantry Division brigades but 3rd BCT, 1 ID to Fort Riley.

On 15 July 2009, 2–18 Infantry stood up in Baumholder, Germany as part of the 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The unit was stood up to replace 1–6 Infantry (Regulars), part 2nd Brigade of the 1st Armored Division.

Decorations

  1. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for BEJA, TUNISIA
  2. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for NORMANDY
  3. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for AACHEN, GERMANY
  4. Valorous Unit Award for BINH LONG PROVINCE
  5. Valorous Unit Award for DI AN DISTRICT
  6. Valorous Unit Award for IRAQ
  7. Valorous Unit Award for IRAQ-KUWAIT
  8. Valorous Unit Award for the 1st Battalion (minus Company B) for Operation Iraqi Freedom VI-VIII, 12 October 2006 – 17 November 2007
  9. Valorous Unit Award for Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, Operation Iraqi Freedom VI-VIII, Al Ramadi, Al Anbar Province, 10 Feb 2007 – 17 Mar 2007
  10. Navy Unit Commendation for Company B, 1st Battalion for Operation Iraqi Freedom VI-VIII, October 2006 – November 2007
  11. Meritorious Unit Commendation for OPERATION NEW DAWN (IRAQ)
  12. Army Superior Unit Award for 1994
  13. Army Superior Unit Award for 1996–1997
  14. Army Superior Unit Award for 1998–1999
  15. French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War I for AISNE-MARNE
  16. French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War I for MEUSE-ARGONNE
  17. French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II for KASSERINE
  18. French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II for NORMANDY
  19. French Médaille militaire, Fourragere
  20. Belgian Fourragere 1940
  21. Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action at Mons
  22. Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action at Eupen-Malmedy

Commanders

Source of commanders: 18th Infantry Regiment Association[17] Names marked by an @ indicate actual commanders in the absence of the colonel; an asterisk (*) = Commanders of the 18th Battle Group; 1–18 = 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry; 2–18 = 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry; and so forth. (1) following a name indicates future commander of 1st Infantry Division

Medal of Honor recipients

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Special Unit Designations . . 21 April 2010 . 24 June 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090512061407/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/spdes-123-ra_ar.html . 12 May 2009 . dead .
  2. Web site: James M. J. Sanno in Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, Volumes III-V . Cullum . George W. . George Washington Cullum . December 7, 2013 . Bill Thayer's Web Site . Bill Thayer . Chicago, IL . August 28, 2021.
  3. Web site: The Valley of Utoy Creek.
  4. Web site: Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site . https://web.archive.org/web/20090426210134/http://www.philkearny.vcn.com/fettermanfight.htm . 26 April 2009 . dead . 23 June 2009 .
  5. Book: Clay, Steven E.. 2010. U.S. Army Order of Battle, 1919-1941, Volume 1. The Arms: Major Commands and Infantry Organizations, 1919-41. Fort Leavenworth, KS. Combat Studies Institute Press. 373.
  6. Book: Samuel W. Mitcham, Jr.. Friedrich Von Stauffenberg. The Battle of Sicily: How the Allies Lost Their Chance for Total Victory. 2007. Stackpole Books. 978-0-8117-3403-5. 264.
  7. Book: http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/100-11/ch4.htm . Chapter 4: Assault of the Bluffs . Omaha Beachhead . 10 June 2007 . . 1994 . 1945 . 82–85 . CMH Pub 100-11 . Washington, D.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20090622050041/http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/100-11/ch4.htm . 22 June 2009 . live .
  8. Web site: Reference at www.history.army.mil. 7 April 2015. 14 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150714003813/http://www.history.army.mil/html/books/070/70-117-1/CMH_70-117-1.pdf. dead.
  9. Doug Struck, Web site: U.S. finds new weapon in Iraq – cash. 27 July 2004., July 2004.
  10. Web site: U.S. Army Europe Soldiers marching into history in Moscow.
  11. News: Foreign troops join Russia parade . BBC News . 9 May 2010 . 9 May 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100509101713/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8670589.stm . 9 May 2010 . live .
  12. Web site: 65 лет в строю — как страна отметила юбилей Великой Победы. Новости. Первый канал.
  13. Web site: Troops prep for parade . 2024-05-03 . Stars and Stripes . en.
  14. Web site: 2010-05-07 . U.S. Army Europe Soldiers marching into history in Moscow . 2024-05-03 . www.army.mil . en.
  15. Web site: 18th Infantry Lineage and Honors Certificate . https://web.archive.org/web/20081010165658/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/inf/0018in.htm . . 10 October 2008 . live . 23 June 2009 .
  16. Web site: The Valley of Utoy Creek Marker.
  17. Web site: www.18thinf.org History-List of Commanders of the 18th Infantry Regiment . Jim Stone . https://web.archive.org/web/20090618012220/http://www.18inf.org/history.htm#top/ . 18 June 2009 . dead . 13 June 2009 . dmy-all .
  18. Web site: Medal of Honor Recipients of the Civil War A-L . history.army.mil . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185041/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwaral.html . 29 October 2013.
  19. Web site: Medal of Honor Recipients of the Civil War M-Z . history.army.mil . https://web.archive.org/web/20131025024442/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html . 25 October 2013.
  20. Web site: Medal of Honor Recipients of the Indian Wars . history.army.mil . https://web.archive.org/web/20131012062355/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/indianwars.html . 12 October 2013.
  21. Web site: Medal of Honor Recipients of WWII A-F . history.army.mil . https://web.archive.org/web/20140202213851/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-a-f.html . 2 February 2014.
  22. Web site: Medal of Honor Recipients of WWII M-S . history.army.mil . https://web.archive.org/web/20131211170148/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-m-s.html . 11 December 2013.
  23. Web site: Medal of Honor Recipients of WWII T-Z . history.army.mil . https://web.archive.org/web/20131020231631/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-t-z.html#TURNERGB . 20 October 2013.