27th Infantry Regiment (United States)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 27th Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
 27th Infantry Regiment coat of arms |
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| Active | 1901-present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | U.S. Army |
| Nickname | "Wolfhounds" |
| Motto | Nec aspera terrent (No Fear On Earth) |
| March | Wolfhound March |
| Mascot | wolfhound |
| Anniversaries | Organization Day (Victory at the Battle of Bayan) May 2 |
| Engagements | Philippine-American War Moro Rebellion Peacekeeping occupation of Cuba World War I *Russian Civil War{Siberia} Korean War Vietnam War Operation Just Cause Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive Unit Insignia |  |
The 27th Infantry, nicknamed the "Wolfhounds," served as part of the 25th Infantry (Lighting) Division during the Korean War and later the Vietnam War. The regimental march is the 'Wolfhound March'
[edit] History
The regiment was established by act of Congress on February 2, 1901, initially as a unit for the Philippine-American War.
Participated in Operation Wolfhound on January 15, 1951.
The 27th Infantry Regiment had five Medal of Honor recipients for actions in the Korean War, John W. Collier, Reginald B. Desiderio, Benito Martinez, Lewis L. Millett and Jerome A. Sudut.
Captain Riley L. Pitts received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ap Dong, Vietnam while in command of Charlie Company, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment. Other Wolfhound Vietnam Medal of Honor recipients are: SGT JOHN F. BAKER, JR 5 November 1966 CPT ROBERT F. FOLEY 5 November 1966 SSG PAUL R. LAMBERS 20 August 1968 SGT CHARLES C. FLEEK 27 May 1969
The 27th Infantry Regiment consists of two battalions the 1/27 and 2/27. There are actually two separate Wolfhound crests: one for the 1st Battalion Wolfhound crest which has the Wolfhound facing to the left and 2nd Battalion Wolfhound crest has the Wolfhound facing to the right on the crest. The 27th Infantry Regiment were given the nickname "Wolfhounds" by the Russians, during the 27th's Siberia campaign around 1916. Because the 27th Infantry Regiment fought so fearlessly and so swiftly while attacking different areas, that the Russians thought they were more like the Russian Wolfhounds. Hence the name was given to the 27th infantry regiment by a Russian General. The Wolfhounds also served through out world war II. Stationed at Hawaii attached to the 25th Infantry Division; They were some of first to fire back at attacking Japanese war planes during Japan's pearl harbor attack. They fought all through World War II in the Pacific war areas. The movie from "Here to Eternity" was based on some of the Wolfhound regiment life. During the Korean conflict they were considered the "fire brigade" for the 25th Infantry Division. In essence, making first combat contact with enemy forces. The 27th Infantry Regiment (Wolfhounds) was organized on 2 February 1901 and saw its first combat action while serving as part of the American Force sent to quell the Philippine Insurrection on the Island of Mindanao.
During World War I, the 27th Infantry served in the American Expeditionary Force sent to Siberia in 1918. This campaign has become an integral part of unit's history. The tenacious pursuit tactics of the regiment won the respect of the Bolsheviks, hence earning the name Wolfhounds. This emblem continues to serve as the symbol of the 27th Infantry Regiment.
On 1 March 1921, the 27th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the Hawaiian Division. It served in the Hawaiian Division for over twenty years until it was relieved on 26 August 1941, and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. After seeing extensive action in the Pacific theater during World War II and the ensuing occupation of Japan, the 27th Infantry Regiment earned the nickname "Gentle Wolfhounds" for their loving support of the Holy Family Orphanage.
Occupation duties were cut short in July 1950 when the 27th Infantry departed for Pusan, Korea, to assist in holding the Pusan perimeter at the onset of the Korean conflict. The unit saw heavy action throughout the Korean conflict, earning ten Campaign Streamers and three Presidential Unit Citations. Upon conclusion of hostilities in Korea, the unit returned to Schofield Barracks.
The 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry entered the Vietnam conflict in January 1966. During their five-year stay in Vietnam, the unit earned two valorous unit citations, and proved to be one of the last 25th Infantry Division units to return home. The Regiment did finally return to Hawaii in April 1971.
On 10 July 1987, the 2nd Battalion was relieved from their assignment to the 25th Infantry Division, and assigned to the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, California. During their tour at Fort Ord, the Battalion deployed to Panama in support of Operation "Just Cause". On 15 September 1993, the Battalion was inactivated and relieved from assignment to the 7th Infantry Division.
The 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry was again activated on 31 August 1995, and this unit again carries its thirty battle streamers and twelve unit citations on its colors. The motto "Nec Aspera Terrent" translates to "Frightened by no Difficulties."
Both battalions of the 27th Infantry have entered the 50th year of the regiment's relationship with the children and staff of the Holy Family Home Orphanage, Osaka, Japan. During Christmas 1949, Wolfhounds visited the orphanage to deliver gifts and hold a Christmas party for the children. Recognizing the needs of the children, and the then-limited capacity for self-help in postwar Japan, the regiment turned what was to have been a one-time occurrence into flow of supplies, food, building materials, medical assistance, and most importantly, love from American soldiers and their families to the orphans. Soldiers from 1st and 2nd Battalions return to Japan every Christmas, and two children from the orphanage have visited Schofield Barracks annually since 1957. The relationship was recognized by Hollywood in 1956 when members of the regiment were profiled in the movie, "Three Stripes In The Sun," starring Aldo Ray.
