2nd Infantry Regiment (United States)

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2nd Infantry Regiment
2nd Infantry Regiment Unit Crest
Active	1808 – present
Country	U.S.
Branch	Regular Army
Type	Infantry
Role	1st Bn - Mechanized Infantry 2nd Bn - Light Infantry
Garrison/HQ	1st Bn - Schweinfurt, Germany 2nd Bn - Fort Hood, Texas
Nickname	“Ramrods”
Motto	“Noli Me Tangere!”
Engagements	War of 1812 Indian Wars Mexican American War American Civil War Spanish American War World War II * Battle of Normandy Vietnam War Bosnian war Kosovo War Iraq War
Commanders
Notable commanders	Hugh Brady Bennett C. Riley

Contents 1 Origins 2 History 3 American Civil War 4 Spanish American War 5 World War II 6 Vietnam Era 7 Modern Era 8 War on Terrorism 9 Medal of Honor Recipient 10 2nd Infantry Honors 10.1 Campaigns 10.1.1 War of 1812 10.1.2 Mexican-American War 10.1.3 Indian Wars 10.1.4 Spanish-American War 10.1.5 Philippine Insurrection 10.1.6 Civil War 10.1.7 World War II 10.1.8 Vietnam 10.1.9 Kosovo 10.1.10 War on Terrorism 10.2 Decorations 10.2.1 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry 10.2.2 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry 11 External links

[edit] Origins

See 1st Infantry Regiment (United States) for the origins of the 2nd Infantry Regiment.

[edit] History

The modern 2nd Infantry Regiment traces its lineage to April 12, 1808. It was on this date that the 2nd Regiment of Infantry was constituted in the regular Army as a Company of the 6th Infantry. Under an act of Congress dated March 3, 1815 the regular army was drastically reduced and on May 17, 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, LTC Hugh Brady is the regiments commander. Units of the regiment fought in the War of 1812. The 2nd Infantry fought in the second Seminole War and during the Mexican-American War, the 2nd Infantry campaigned from the Rio Grande to Vera Cruz to Mexico City.

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" meaning "Do not touch me." During the assault on the fortress at Chapultapec, Mexico in 1847 the baton was broken and 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 regiments nickname: "RAMRODS". It is presently in the 1st Infantry Division Museum at Fort Riley, Kansas.

[edit] American Civil War

The Second returned to the United States in 1848, in 1849 the regiment moved to California to quell the Indian uprisings and remained there until 1853 when they return to New York. They were then sent to the Great Plains to perform garrison duty and construct military installations, a mission that continued until the beginning of the Civil War. During the Civil War the 2nd Infantry fought in 23 major engagements such as Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Between 1865 and 1877 the regiment was deployed throughout the south enforcing the “Reconstruction” laws.

[edit] Spanish American War

From 1877 to 1898, the 2nd Infantry fought in a series of Indian campaigns in the Pacific Northwest and the Great Plains. In 1898 the regiment was deployed to Cuba at the start of the Spanish-American War, participating in the battles of Santiago and San Juan Hill, where it fought side by side with Teddy Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders.” In 1899 the 2nd Infantry went to the Philippines to deal with the Philippine Insurrection and fought in over 25 engagements. Four years later, the regiment returned to duty in the western United States only to be redeployed to the Philippines in 1906. The regiment returned to the United States in 1908 and was in garrison until deploying to Hawaii 1911. World War I found the regiment on security duty in the Hawaiian Islands until 1918 when they again return to the United States, the war ended just as the regiment was about to deploy to France.

[edit] 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 to provide security for U. S. bases located there. The regiment was then sent to England and then Ireland. In July 1944 the regiment along with the 5th Infantry Division land in Normandy, France. They become 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 seizing Metz after a major battle at Fort Driant. The 2nd Infantry Regiment forced a crossing of the Sauer River and attacked into the Siegfried Line. The Regiment Crossed the Rhine River near the Oppenheim and secured 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.

Following WW II the regiment returned to the United States and was deactivated and reactivated several times and even returned to Germany for a period. During the Korean Conflict the regiment was with the 5th Infantry Division training new recruits for possible deployment. In June 1957 at the time of the Pentomic reorganization the 2nd Battalion is reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battle Group, 2nd Infantry. The battalion is released from assignment with 5th Infantry Division and is assigned to the 1st Infantry Division. In January 1959 the 2nd Battalion is reassigned to the 24th Infantry Division in Germany. In February 1962 the 2nd Battalion is reassigned from the 24th Infantry Division and returned to the 5th Infantry Division and is stationed at Fort Devens, Massachusetts along with the 1st Battalion.

[edit] Vietnam Era

In July 1965 the 1st and 2nd Battalions are assigned to the 1st Infantry Division and in September 1965 they deploy 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 are the first one in the division at that time. Major operations include: Junction City, the largest operation conducted at that time, Lam Son II, Paul Bunyon, An Loc and An Loc II, plus numerous smaller operations. Both battalions did proud for themselves, earning numerous awards and citations. Both battalions along with the 1st Infantry Division returned to the United States in April 1970.

On March 21, 1973 the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry was relieved from assignment to the 1st Infantry Division (M) and reassigned to the 9th Infantry Division, the 1st Battalion remained with the 1st Infantry Division. The 2nd Battalion was activated on 6 November 1987 as a Combined Arms Battalion-Heavy (CAB-H). In May of 1991 the 2nd Battalion was deactivated and relieved from assignment to the 9th Infantry Division.

[edit] Modern Era

The 2nd Battalion was reassigned to the 1st Infantry Division and reactivated on 16 February 1996 at Rose Barracks, Vilseck Germany.

The 2nd Battalion deployed to Bosnia in support of operation Joint Guard in 1996, where the Unit 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 unit deployed to Camp Monteith, Kosovo. The unit was redeployed in June of 2000 to Vilseck.

[edit] War on Terrorism

After September 11th, the unit was deployed again to Kosovo, and then to Iraq. B Company arrived in April 2003 and the balance of the battalion in the spring of 2004. In November 2004 the unit fought alongside the Marine Corps in the Battle of Fallujah. One of their 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. Task Force 2-2 Infantry also fought at Al Muqdadiyah, An Najaf, Al Fallujah, Mosul, and Baqubah. The 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry received a Presidental Unit Award for their actions in the Battle of Fallujah.

The 2nd Battalion returned to Germany in February 2005 and was subsequently deactivated. On April 19th 2007 the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry was activated as a light infantry battalion with the 1st Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Hood, Texas.

On March 17th 2008, the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment was activated in Schweinfurt, Germany with the reflagging of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment. 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, 2nd Infantry is assigned to 172nd Infantry Brigade and is at present a mechanized infantry battalion.

[edit] Medal of Honor Recipient

SSG James Leroy Bondsteel was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in An Loc Province, Vietnam, on the 24th of May 1969.

The major US Army basecamp in Kosovo was named in his honor.

[edit] 2nd Infantry Honors

[edit] Campaigns

[edit] War of 1812

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

[edit] Mexican-American War

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

[edit] Indian Wars

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

[edit] Spanish-American War

1. Santiago

[edit] Philippine Insurrection

1. Streamer W/O Inscription

[edit] Civil War

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

[edit] World War II

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

[edit] 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

[edit] Kosovo

1. Defense of Kosovo

[edit] War on Terrorism

1. Iraq

[edit] Decorations

[edit] 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry

1. A Company entitled to: Valorous Unit Award for AN LOC 1970
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

[edit] 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry

1. Presidential Unit Citation for FALLUJAH
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. C Company entitled to: Valorous Unit Award for BINH LONG PROVINCE 1968
6. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1965-1968
7. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1969
8. Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1965-1970
9. Army Superior Unit Award for 1997

[edit] External links

• Link to 2/2 Pictures from Kosovo 1999 - 2000
• Full Battle Rattle - David Bellavia's Website contains info on 2/2 in Iraq.
• 2nd Infantry Regiment Association
• Photo's of the Units Reactivation at Ft Hood.