184th Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 184th Infantry Regiment (Second California) is a combat regiment
of the United States Army
consisting of soldiers from the California Army National Guard
. Only the regiment's first battalion remains an active military unit. The battalion supports state and federal missions in the State of California, United States of America and at overseas locations. The 184th Infantry Regiment can trace its lineage to the mid-19th century.
. Charlie Company is the direct descendant of the Auburn Greys. In its dual role in service to both the United States of America and the State of California, the regiment can be mobilized to serve under state control.
The 184th Infantry Regiment was formed on October 20, 1924, from what had been known as the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California).
and the unit was part of the California National Guard
. The lineage of these two units is described below.
1898 Spanish-American War
From July 6–9, 1898, three of the companies from the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) were mustered into federal service in Fruitvale
as part of the 8th California Volunteer Infantry for service during the Spanish-American War
. Although the units were mobilized for federal service, they never left the United States. From January 28, 1899 through February 6, 1899, the three companies were demobilized in Washington and California and returned to the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California).
On May 11, 1907, the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) was reduced and consolidated with the 6th Infantry Regiment (California) (which had originally been organized on July 22, 1885 as the 6th Infantry Battalion (California)) to form the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California), with headquarters in Sacramento, as part of the California National Guard
.
1916 Mexican Border Crisis
On June 18, 1916, the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) was mobilized for border security duty during the Mexican Border Crisis
. On November 15, 1916, the unit was demobilized.
On March 26, 1917, the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) was mobilized into federal service for World War I
. Many of the units were well prepared for the mobilization because of the recent experience of mobilizing in support of the Mexican Border Crisis
. In response to the consolidation of so many state militias, the United States Army created a new division system, and needed to fit the various state militias into the system. Originally, the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) was organized as part of the 19th Division, which consisted of various elements of state militias from Arizona
, California
, Colorado
, Nevada
, New Mexico
, and Utah
. On September 16, 1917, the 19th Division was redesignated as the 40th Division at Camp Kearney near San Diego, California. At that time, the division was referred to simply as the 40th Division because there were no armored or cavalry divisions.
On September 24, 1917, the 2nd Infantry Regiment (less the 2nd battalion, companies L and M, and the Sanitary detachment) was consolidated with the 5th Infantry Regiment (California) and redesignated the 159th Infantry Regiment
, 40th Division. On September 25, 1917, the 2nd Infantry Regiment's 2nd battalion, companies L and M, and the Sanitary detachment were consolidated with the 7th Infantry Regiment (California) and redesignated the 160th Infantry Regiment
, 40th Division.
In November 1917, the 40th Division moved to continue training at either Camp Lewis
near Seattle, Washington, which had finished construction and opened for training purposes only two months earlier, or Fort Funston
near San Francisco, California. Although the units had received an infusion of new Soldiers and equipment and had begun training for war in earnest, almost immediately the Soldiers and equipment were being siphoned off to form new units. This was the start of what the unit would experience for the rest of the war.
In August, 1918, the 40th Division arrived in France
. At that moment, the Germans had just completed a series of offensives that started on March 21 and ended on July 15. These offensives were designed to destroy the American Expeditionary Force before it could be fully constituted, and they almost succeeded. Upon the arrival of the 40th Division in France, it was decided that the division would be used as a depot and it was redesignated as the 6th Depot Division, supplying fresh troops to the more experienced combat divisions. By the end of the war, the 40th Division provided more than 27,000 replacements to the 26th
, 28th, 32d, 77th, 80th, 81st, 82nd, and 89th Divisions. Of those Soldiers provided from the 40th Infantry Division, 2,587 members were killed in action and 11,596 were wounded. An additional 103 were to die of their wounds at the Post Hospital in Camp Kearney near San Diego, California.
On April 20, 1919, the 40th Division was demobilized at Camp Kearney near San Diego, California, where they had been formed just two years before. On May 1, 1919, those elements of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) that were used to create the 159th Infantry Regiment
were released from federal service at the Presidio of San Francisco
near San Francisco, California. On May 7, 1919, those elements of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) that were used to create the 160th Infantry Regiment
were returned to the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) at Camp Kearney near San Diego, California.
and the unit was once again a part of the 40th Division of the California National Guard
.
1927 Folsom State Prison Riots
In November 1927, elements of the 184th Infantry Regiment were mobilized to assist with quelling a riot at Folsom State Prison
.
From February 18, 1929 through April 1, 1929, the 185th Infantry Regiment
was formed as a result of the withdrawal, expansion, reorganization, and redesignation of the central California elements of the 184th Infantry Regiment.
, were mobilized to restore order in San Francisco's waterfront when hostilities during the strike escalated.
On March 3, 1941, the entire 184th Infantry Regiment was mobilized as part of a general mobilization of the United States Army National Guard, and mustered at Camp San Luis Obispo
. Most of the Soldiers believed that they would be mobilized for a year and then sent home, which changed on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
. Within 48 hours of the attack on Pearl Harbor
, the regiment moved to the San Diego area and took up defensive positions for the expected attack or invasion of the West Coast of the United States. The regiment was scattered throughout a number of areas including Del Mar, La Mesa, and Lindbergh Field, while Alpha company was sent to San Clemente Island. If the Japanese attack had occurred, this lone company of Sacramentans would have been decimated since there was no avenue of retreat or reinforcement. The regiment remained in the greater San Diego area until April, when (similar to the mobilization for World War I
) they were stationed at Fort Lewis
near Seattle, Washington and later to the Presidio of San Francisco
near San Francisco, California.
In June 1942, while at the Presidio
, the regiment was relieved from the 40th Infantry Division and attached directly to the Western Defense Command. In November 1942, while still officially under the control of the Western Defense Command, the regiment was attached to the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord
and later Amphibious Training Force Nine. It was during this period that the regiment was reinforced and its title modified to "184th Regimental Combat Team".
In July 1943, the regiment left San Francisco bound for the Japanese-held Aleutian Islands. The 184th arrived on Adak Island for training and was assigned again to the 7th Infantry Division. On August 15, 1943, the regiment participated in Operation Cottage, the retaking of the last Japanese-held island in the Aleutians. The regiment, augmented by the 1st Battalion, 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, and with the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group on its right, made its first of many assault landings at Long Beach on Kiska Island. When the regiment landed, its commander, Colonel Curtis D. O'Sullivan, ordered the regiment's band to play. They responded with "California, Here I Come," and "The Maple Leaf Forever." After an unopposed landing, the regiment found that the Japanese garrison had been evacuated by a large cruiser and destroyer force on July 28. The enemy had left in such a hurry, that they left mess tables still set with meals, and blankets soaked in fuel oil, but not lit. Nevertheless, the regiment did have the honor of being the only National Guard regiment to regain lost American territory from a foreign enemy in World War II, the first since the War of 1812. On August 23, 1943, the regiment was officially assigned to the 7th Infantry Division. In September 1943, when the island was declared secure, the regiment moved to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. This was a welcome change for the men who just spent over three months on the Alaskan islands, but it did not last long.
Battle of Kwajalein
On 20 January 1944, the regiment left Hawaii bound for the Marshall Islands. Kwajalien Atoll had been Japanese territory for decades. As such, they had many opportunities to build a complex system of fortifications. On February 1, 1994, the regiment, along with the 32nd Infantry Regiment assaulted the heavily defended atoll. Two days later, three of the regiment's companies (Alpha, Bravo and Charlie) were given the assignment to clear the highly fortified blockhouse sector. Approximately five days later, when the battle for Kwajalien was over, more than 8,000 Japanese Soldiers of the 61st Naval Guard Force were killed in action. General George C. Marshall, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, later said that the operations on Kwajalien were the most efficient of the war. Once again, the regiment achieved another first, as they were the first National Guard unit to seize and hold territory that Japan held prior to the start of the war.
With the island secure, the regiment re-embarked on to their transports and returned to Hawaii for rehabilitation and more training. On September 15, 1944, they departed Hawaii, bound for Eniwetok Island. Initially, this was to be a staging area for the invasion of Yap Island. When they arrived, however, they found that the operation had been canceled in favor of a larger landing, the liberation of the Philippines.
Battle of Leyte
On the morning of October 20, 1944, the regiment landed on the beaches near Dulag on the east coast of the island of Leyte. With the beachhead secured, they moved inland. The island provided the Japanese with an ideal defensive terrain, as Leyte is a large island, covered with mountains, rain forests, and swamps. The Japanese were long accustomed to fighting in the jungle, and had over three years of occupation to learn the terrain and plan defenses. Additionally, it was easy for the Japanese to reinforce their garrison on Leyte from Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south. The Japanese 34th Army, consisting of four divisions, including the infamous 16th Division that was credited for the "Rape of Nanking" and the "Bataan Death March", was the primary opponent on Leyte. The 184th Infantry Regiment pushed through the Dulag Valley and experienced high casualties. When the Japanese counterattacked the 32nd Infantry Regiment, which had spread out along the Palanas River, the 184th was sent to reinforce them. Several attacks were repulsed and the enemy was driven into the bamboo thickets. This action later became known as The Battle of Shoestring Ridge.
On November 28, 1944, the 11th Airborne Division relieved the division, less the 17th Infantry Regiment. The division then moved to Baybay, and the 184th started a drive from Damulaan towards the port of Ormac. They then seized the town Albuere and had joined up with soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division, which had landed near Ormac. The remainder of the 7th then moved to Ormac to regroup. From there, they spent several weeks landing on and securing several of the small islands that surround Leyte. On February 10, 1945, they were relieved by the Americal Division and started to prepare for the Ryukyus Campaign. When the division left, they were credited with inflicting more than 54,000 enemy deaths.
Battle of Okinawa
On April 1, 1945, the division landed on Okinawa
. Initially, the 7th and 96th Infantry Divisions were to clear the southern end of the island. Fortunately for these thinly spread forces, an expected counterattack did not occur. If it had, there was a possibility that the Japanese could have driven the invasion force into the sea. On April 5, the 184th Infantry Regiment encountered typically fierce Japanese opposition at a rocky pinnacle located about 1,000 yards southwest of Arakachi (later dubbed "The Pinnacle
"). A few days after the landing, the 184th came into contact with elements of the Japanese 32nd Army on the heavily fortified Kakazu Ridge. On April 9, with the assistance of massed artillery fire, Tomb Hill was captured. By now, companies were losing 30 to 50 men per day. Rifle companies of 40 or 50 men became the rule. On May 1, despite the presence of infiltrators, the 184th attacked and briefly held Gala Ridge before losing it to a counterattack. Both sides traded blow for blow until the Japanese fell back to their final defensive positions along the Naha-Shuri-Yanabarau Road. In keeping with their motto, "Let's Go", the 184th, using a rainstorm to cover their movements, outflanked the Japanese positions and effectively cut off their forces on the Chenin Peninsula. All that was left to do was mop up the scattered pockets of resistance on the peninsula. When the campaign ended, the Japanese 32nd Army had lost tens of thousand of its soldiers. The 184th had lost hundreds.
Surrender of Japan
The 7th Infantry Division began planning for an invasion that was to make Okinawa
look easy - the invasion of the Japanese Home Islands. The dropping of the Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the need for the landings. If they had taken place, some predicted that over a million deaths would have occurred on both sides. Instead, the 7th was rushed to Korea to disarm the Japanese garrison there and to provide an occupation force. When the regiment arrived in Seoul, they had the honor of accepting the surrender of all Japanese forces in that region. While there, the regiment would lose many of its members to rotation, although there were few of the original members of regiment left by now. Those who didn't have enough points to be rotated home were used to help reform the 31st Infantry Regiment that had been destroyed on Bataan. It is ironic that the 184th, who helped destroy the Japanese 16th Division, would be rebuilding the regiment destroyed by the 16th. When the 31st Infantry Regiment was fully reconstituted, it replaced the 184th in the 7th Infantry Division's Order of Battle. On January 20, 1946, the 184th Infantry Regiment was inactivated in Korea.
On August 5, 1946, the 184th Infantry Regiment was relieved from assignment to the 7th Infantry Division and was assigned to the 49th Infantry Division
of the California National Guard
.
The 184th Infantry Regiment received four Asiatic Pacific Theater streamers with the following inscriptions: ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 1942-1943, EASTERN MANDATES 1944 (with arrowhead), LEYTE 1944-1945 (with arrowhead) and RYUKYUS 1945. The regiment also received a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation with an accompanying streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945 and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation with an accompanying streamer embroidered KOREA 1945-1946.
of the California National Guard
.
On May 1, 1959, the 184th Infantry Regiment was reorganized as the 184th Infantry, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System, to consist of the 1st and 2nd battle groups, elements of the 49th Infantry Division
of the California National Guard
.
On March 1, 1963, the 184th Infantry Regiment was reorganized to consist of the 1st and 2nd battalions, elements of the 49th Infantry Division
of the California National Guard
.
1965 Watts Riots
In August 1965, the first and second battalions of the 184th Infantry Regiment were mobilized in response to the Watts Riots
. The battalions were mobilized as part of the 49th Infantry Division
, which arrived after much of the rioting had ended.
On December 4, 1965, the 184th Infantry Regiment was reorganized to consist of the 1st battalion, an element of the 49th Infantry Division
of the California National Guard
.
On January 29, 1968, the 184th Infantry Regiment was reorganized to consist of the 1st battalion, an element of the 49th Infantry Brigade of the California National Guard
.
On November 1, 1976, the 184th Infantry Regiment was reorganized to consist of the 1st battalion, an element of the 40th Armored Division
of the California National Guard
.
1992 Los Angeles Riots
In April 1992, elements of the first battalion were mobilized under state and federal control in response the Los Angeles (Rodney King) riots.
2001-2002 Operation Desert Spring
In 2001, the first battalion's Alpha and Bravo companies (augmented with Soldiers from other battalion elements) were mobilized under federal control for deployment to Kuwait
. The Soldiers conducted readiness processing and training at Camp Roberts
.
In July 2001, Alpha company arrived in Kuwait. In January 2002, Alpha company was replaced by Bravo company and returned to California in July 2002. Soldiers from the first battalion provided security at Camp Doha
and at several Patriot missile battery sites along the border with Iraq. Although the deployment was scheduled as a routine mission, the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred while Alpha company was in Kuwait, thus the mission changed to become part of the Global War on Terrorism
.
Alpha company returned to California as scheduled in January 2002. Bravo company returned to California
as scheduled in in July 2002. Both units returned from theater to Camp Roberts
near Paso Robles, California for demobilization activities.
While the first battalion did not receive campaign participation credit, those Soldiers who served with Alpha and Bravo companies during this mobilization received either the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
or the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
.
In August 2004, the entire first battalion was mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-06. The battalion was initially mobilized to Camp Roberts
near Paso Robles, California for initial readiness processing. On August 16, 2004, the battalion was transferred to Fort Bliss
near El Paso
, Texas
for four months of pre-deployment training. In early January 2005, the battalion moved to Fort Polk
in Louisiana for a readiness evaluation prior to movement into theater.
In late January 2005, the battalion arrived in Kuwait to acclimate and conduct final training and organization prior to moving into Iraq
. In late February 2005, the battalion arrived in Baghdad
, Iraq
and was attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. On March 23, the battalion assumed control of an area of operations in central and southern Baghdad
from the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment
, and conducted full spectrum combat operations out of FOB Falcon
and the Green Zone
. The battalion's area of operations included the Karrada
and Dora
neighborhoods of southern Baghdad
. Several active duty units were attached to the first battalion to form "Task Force Nightstalker" under the command of the battalion HQ, including one company of M1A1 Abrams tanks from the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. The battalion's Charlie company was temporarily assigned to provide security at the Convention Center in the Green Zone
during the March 16 first meeting of the transitional National Assembly that was elected on January 30, assuming control of the Convention Center from a company of the 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment and relinquishing control less than two months later to the 13th "Shavnabada" Infantry Battalion from the Republic of Georgia. The battalion provided security during the constitutional referendum held on October 15 and the election of the Council of Representatives on December 15. In January, the battalion was relieved by a company of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment as part of planned operations to increase the role of Iraqi Army and Police forces in the area as a substitute for United States forces. A list of twelve of the Soldiers assigned to the battalion who were killed in action during this mobilization, not including five Soldiers from units who were attached to Task Force Nightstalker, is available here.
The battalion returned to Fort Bliss
, Texas
in January for demobilization processing, and returned to California in January.
The battalion received two Iraq Campaign
streamers with the following inscriptions: IRAQI GOVERNANCE 2004-2005 and NATIONAL RESOLUTION 2005-2007. The battalion also received a Valorous Unit Award and streamer with the inscription BAGHDAD 2005.
2005 Hurricane Katrina
On September 1, 2005, Soldiers assigned to the first battalion's rear detachment (not forward deployed to Iraq) were mobilized under federal control as part the 2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment
in response to Hurricane Katrina
.
The Soldiers were sent to New Orleans, Louisiana as part of Task Force California to help restore order to the city and surrounding area and provide humanitarian assistance. The Soldiers assisted the local residents in the aftermath of one of the most severe natural disasters to occur in the United States.
The Soldiers who mobilized in support of relief operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were released from active duty on November 11, 2005.
2006 Operation Aero Shield
In August 2006, elements of the first battalion were mobilized under state control in response to a planned terrorist attack that was disrupted in the planning stages in the United Kingdom.
2007 California Wildfires
On October 22, 2007, elements of the first battalion were mobilized under state control in response to widespread wildfires near San Diego. Elements of the battalion, although they mustered in northern California, were nonetheless some of the first California National Guard elements to occupy Montgomery Airfield
in San Diego. In addition to other elements of the California National Guard, the battalion used Montgomery Airfield as their primary base of operations to conduct local civil support missions throughout San Diego County. The battalion augmented local security at several sites, including Qualcomm Stadium
, that were established to support local residents who were forced to evacuate their homes. In addition, elements of the battalion augmented local authorities throughout the area, conducting patrols of evacuated neighborhoods and manning checkpoints.
As a link to their progenitors of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) in World War I
, Montgomery Airfield
is located two miles south of MCAS Miramar
, which was previously named Camp Kearney. Camp Kearney was the site where many of the Soldiers in the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) were mobilized and demobilized for service during World War I
.
2008 California Wildfires
In July 2008, elements of the first battalion were mobilized under state control in response to widespread wildfires throughout California. The battalion completed hand crew training for wildland fire fighting in conjunction with the United States Forest Service
at McClellan Airfield
, but the battalion was never selected to perform actual wildland fire fighting.
In August 2008, the first battalion's Alpha and Bravo companies (augmented with Soldiers from other battalion elements) were mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-09. The companies were released from the 184th Infantry Regiment and reassigned to the 1st Battalion, 185th Armor Regiment
.
The two companies performed Combat Logistical Patrols throughout northern Iraq
. In August 2009, the two companies returned to California.
While the first battalion did not receive campaign participation credit, those Soldiers who served with Alpha and Bravo companies during this deployment earned Iraq Campaign
credit for IRAQI SURGE and IRAQI SOVEREIGNTY.
In December 2008, the first battalion's HQ and Delta Company were mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In addition to the battalion's HQ and Delta Company, "Task Force Nightstalker" consisted of Alpha Company from the 1st Battalion, 185th Armor Regiment
and Echo Company from the Special Troops Battalion, 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Task Force Nightstalker was once again assigned to the 40th Infantry Division. The task force conducted initial readiness processing and training at Camp Roberts
in November 2008. In December 2008, the task force moved to Camp Atterbury
in Indiana for additional training. In January 2009, the task force moved to JMRC Hohenfels
for final validation training prior to moving into the Kosovo
theater.
The task force operated in Kosovo
as part of Multinational Task Force East (KFOR 11). The task force operated as one of two maneuver task forces tasked with providing a safe and secure environment and ensuring freedom of movement in accordance with United Nations Resolution 1244. On March 7, the task force assumed control of an area of operations in the Gnjilane, Kamenica, and Novo Brdo areas of eastern Kosovo from the 1st Battalion, 129th Field Artillery Regiment. The majority of the stability and support operations were conducted by the task force out of Camp Bondsteel.
In October 2009, Task Force Nightstalker began familiarization training with their relief force, the 231st Maneuver Task Force, a unit consisting of Soldiers from both the 231st Brigade Support Battalion and the 137th Infantry Regiment. In late October, Task Force Nightstalker officially handed over responsibility for their area of operations to the 231st Maneuver Task Force.
In November 2009, the task force departed Kosovo to conduct demobilization operations at Fort Lewis
near Seattle, Washington and returned to California a few weeks later.
The battalion received one Kosovo Campaign
streamer with the following inscription: KOSOVO DEFENSE CAMPAIGN. Individual Soldiers may also have received the Kosovo Campaign Medal
and the NATO Non-Article 5 Medal
.
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
consisting of soldiers from the California Army National Guard
California Army National Guard
The California Army National Guard is the land force component of the California National Guard, one of the reserve component United States Army and is part of the United States National Guard. The California Army National Guard is composed of about 20,000 soldiers...
. Only the regiment's first battalion remains an active military unit. The battalion supports state and federal missions in the State of California, United States of America and at overseas locations. The 184th Infantry Regiment can trace its lineage to the mid-19th century.
Current Status
The regiment's first battalion is currently one of two maneuver battalions in the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The battalion is currently conducting training and maintenance in order to prepare for future State and Federal missions.History
The 184th Infantry Regiment is a descendant of a number of unofficial militias that were formed in California in the mid- to late-19th century. Bravo Company is the direct descendant of the Sarsfield Grenadier GuardsSarsfield Grenadier Guards
The Sarsfield Grenadier Guards were a military company from California in the nineteenth century, mustered on July 29, 1870, in Sacramento. It was named after the Irish Jacobite Patrick Sarsfield, 1st Earl of Lucan...
. Charlie Company is the direct descendant of the Auburn Greys. In its dual role in service to both the United States of America and the State of California, the regiment can be mobilized to serve under state control.
The 184th Infantry Regiment was formed on October 20, 1924, from what had been known as the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California).
1864-1895 Precursors to the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California)
On December 9, 1895, the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) was formed by consolidating the 1st Artillery Regiment (California) with the 8th Infantry Regiment (California). The headquarters of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) was in SacramentoSacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
and the unit was part of the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
. The lineage of these two units is described below.
- 1st Artillery Regiment (California). On March 19, 1880, the 1st Artillery Regiment (California) was formed from the consolidation of the Sacramento Light Artillery (California) and the 1st Infantry Battalion (California). The headquarters of the 1st Artillery Regiment (California) was in SacramentoSacramentoSacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
and the unit was part of the California National GuardCalifornia National GuardThe California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.- Sacramento Light Artillery (California). In 1864, the Sacramento Light Artillery (California) was formed from precursor militia elements in SacramentoSacramentoSacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
as part of the California Militia. (Note: On April 2, 1866, the California Militia was redesignated as the California National GuardCalifornia National GuardThe California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.) - 1st Infantry Battalion (California). On March 15, 1872, the 4th Infantry Regiment (California) was formed from precursor militia elements, including the Sarsfield Grenadier GuardsSarsfield Grenadier GuardsThe Sarsfield Grenadier Guards were a military company from California in the nineteenth century, mustered on July 29, 1870, in Sacramento. It was named after the Irish Jacobite Patrick Sarsfield, 1st Earl of Lucan...
as G company, as part of the California National GuardCalifornia National GuardThe California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
. From 1875 through 1877, the 1st Infantry Battalion (California) was formed through the reduction, reorganization, and redesignation of the 4th Infantry Regiment (California). The headquarters of the 4th Infantry Regiment (California) was in SacramentoSacramentoSacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
and the unit was part of the California National GuardCalifornia National GuardThe California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.
- Sacramento Light Artillery (California). In 1864, the Sacramento Light Artillery (California) was formed from precursor militia elements in Sacramento
- 8th Infantry Regiment (California). On February 15, 1890, the 8th Infantry Battalion (California) was formed from precursor militia elements with headquarters in ChicoChico, CaliforniaChico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...
, as part of the California National GuardCalifornia National GuardThe California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
. On October 31, 1891, the 8th Infantry Regiment (California) was formed through the expansion, reorganization, and redesignation of the 8th Infantry Battalion (California). The headquarters of the 8th Infantry Regiment (California) was in Chico and the unit was part of the California National GuardCalifornia National GuardThe California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.
1898 Spanish-American WarSpanish-American WarThe Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
From July 6–9, 1898, three of the companies from the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) were mustered into federal service in FruitvaleFruitvale
Fruitvale can refer to:*Fruitvale, California** Fruitvale, Fresno County, California** Fruitvale, Kern County, California** Fruitvale, Oakland, California** the Fruitvale Oil Field, underneath Bakersfield, California*Fruitvale, Colorado, USA...
as part of the 8th California Volunteer Infantry for service during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. Although the units were mobilized for federal service, they never left the United States. From January 28, 1899 through February 6, 1899, the three companies were demobilized in Washington and California and returned to the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California).
On May 11, 1907, the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) was reduced and consolidated with the 6th Infantry Regiment (California) (which had originally been organized on July 22, 1885 as the 6th Infantry Battalion (California)) to form the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California), with headquarters in Sacramento, as part of the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.
1916 Mexican Border CrisisUnited States involvement in the Mexican RevolutionThe United States involvement in the Mexican Revolution was varied. The United States relationship with Mexico has often been turbulent. For both economic and political reasons, the American government generally supported those who occupied the seats of power, whether they held that power...
On June 18, 1916, the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) was mobilized for border security duty during the Mexican Border CrisisUnited States involvement in the Mexican Revolution
The United States involvement in the Mexican Revolution was varied. The United States relationship with Mexico has often been turbulent. For both economic and political reasons, the American government generally supported those who occupied the seats of power, whether they held that power...
. On November 15, 1916, the unit was demobilized.
Mobilization, Restructuring and Training
On March 26, 1917, the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) was mobilized into federal service for World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Many of the units were well prepared for the mobilization because of the recent experience of mobilizing in support of the Mexican Border Crisis
United States involvement in the Mexican Revolution
The United States involvement in the Mexican Revolution was varied. The United States relationship with Mexico has often been turbulent. For both economic and political reasons, the American government generally supported those who occupied the seats of power, whether they held that power...
. In response to the consolidation of so many state militias, the United States Army created a new division system, and needed to fit the various state militias into the system. Originally, the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) was organized as part of the 19th Division, which consisted of various elements of state militias from Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. On September 16, 1917, the 19th Division was redesignated as the 40th Division at Camp Kearney near San Diego, California. At that time, the division was referred to simply as the 40th Division because there were no armored or cavalry divisions.
On September 24, 1917, the 2nd Infantry Regiment (less the 2nd battalion, companies L and M, and the Sanitary detachment) was consolidated with the 5th Infantry Regiment (California) and redesignated the 159th Infantry Regiment
159th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 159th Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the United States Army. It served as a part of the 40th Infantry Division for most of its history before deploying in World War II as a part of the 7th Infantry Division.-World War I:...
, 40th Division. On September 25, 1917, the 2nd Infantry Regiment's 2nd battalion, companies L and M, and the Sanitary detachment were consolidated with the 7th Infantry Regiment (California) and redesignated the 160th Infantry Regiment
160th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 160th Infantry Regiment is a light infantry regiment of the United States Army. The first Battalion, 160th Infantry, is a component of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team .-History:...
, 40th Division.
In November 1917, the 40th Division moved to continue training at either Camp Lewis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a United States military facility located south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
near Seattle, Washington, which had finished construction and opened for training purposes only two months earlier, or Fort Funston
Fort Funston
Fort Funston is a protected area within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area at the southwestern corner of San Francisco. It occupies windswept headlands along the Pacific coast, steep cliffs and the beach below...
near San Francisco, California. Although the units had received an infusion of new Soldiers and equipment and had begun training for war in earnest, almost immediately the Soldiers and equipment were being siphoned off to form new units. This was the start of what the unit would experience for the rest of the war.
Operations in Theater
In August, 1918, the 40th Division arrived in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. At that moment, the Germans had just completed a series of offensives that started on March 21 and ended on July 15. These offensives were designed to destroy the American Expeditionary Force before it could be fully constituted, and they almost succeeded. Upon the arrival of the 40th Division in France, it was decided that the division would be used as a depot and it was redesignated as the 6th Depot Division, supplying fresh troops to the more experienced combat divisions. By the end of the war, the 40th Division provided more than 27,000 replacements to the 26th
26th Infantry Division (United States)
The 26th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the United States Army. As a major formation of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, it was based in Boston, Massachusetts for most of its history...
, 28th, 32d, 77th, 80th, 81st, 82nd, and 89th Divisions. Of those Soldiers provided from the 40th Infantry Division, 2,587 members were killed in action and 11,596 were wounded. An additional 103 were to die of their wounds at the Post Hospital in Camp Kearney near San Diego, California.
Demobilization and Restructuring
On April 20, 1919, the 40th Division was demobilized at Camp Kearney near San Diego, California, where they had been formed just two years before. On May 1, 1919, those elements of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) that were used to create the 159th Infantry Regiment
159th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 159th Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the United States Army. It served as a part of the 40th Infantry Division for most of its history before deploying in World War II as a part of the 7th Infantry Division.-World War I:...
were released from federal service at the Presidio of San Francisco
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio of San Francisco is a park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
near San Francisco, California. On May 7, 1919, those elements of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) that were used to create the 160th Infantry Regiment
160th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 160th Infantry Regiment is a light infantry regiment of the United States Army. The first Battalion, 160th Infantry, is a component of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team .-History:...
were returned to the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) at Camp Kearney near San Diego, California.
Decorations
The 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) received a campaign streamer (without inscription) for service. The 184th Infantry Regiment proudly displays this streamer as a descendent of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California).1924-Present 184th Infantry Regiment
On October 20, 1924, the 184th Infantry Regiment was formed as a result of the reconstitution and reorganization of the northern and central California elements of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California). The San Francisco area elements of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) were not included and were XXXX. The headquarters of the 184th Infantry Regiment (California) was in SacramentoSacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
and the unit was once again a part of the 40th Division of the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.
1927 Folsom State Prison RiotsFolsom State PrisonFolsom State Prison is a California State Prison located in the city of Folsom, California, northeast from the state capital of Sacramento. Opened in 1880, Folsom is the second-oldest prison in the state of California after San Quentin and was the first in the country to have electricity...
In November 1927, elements of the 184th Infantry Regiment were mobilized to assist with quelling a riot at Folsom State PrisonFolsom State Prison
Folsom State Prison is a California State Prison located in the city of Folsom, California, northeast from the state capital of Sacramento. Opened in 1880, Folsom is the second-oldest prison in the state of California after San Quentin and was the first in the country to have electricity...
.
From February 18, 1929 through April 1, 1929, the 185th Infantry Regiment
185th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 185th Infantry Regiment is a combat regiment of the United States Army made up of soldiers from the California Army National Guard. Only the 1st Battalion of the regiment remains active. The 185th's higher headquarters is the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in San Diego...
was formed as a result of the withdrawal, expansion, reorganization, and redesignation of the central California elements of the 184th Infantry Regiment.
1934 West Coast Waterfront Strike
On May 9, 1934, longshoremen and sailors throughout the West Coast of the United States began a strike that would last for 83 days. On July 5, elements of the 184th Infantry Regiment, along with other members of the California National GuardCalifornia National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
, were mobilized to restore order in San Francisco's waterfront when hostilities during the strike escalated.
Mobilization, Restructuring, and Training
On March 3, 1941, the entire 184th Infantry Regiment was mobilized as part of a general mobilization of the United States Army National Guard, and mustered at Camp San Luis Obispo
Camp San Luis Obispo
Camp San Luis Obispo is the original home of the California Army National Guard. It served as an Infantry Division Camp and Cantonment Area for the United States Army during World War II.-History:...
. Most of the Soldiers believed that they would be mobilized for a year and then sent home, which changed on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
. Within 48 hours of the attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, the regiment moved to the San Diego area and took up defensive positions for the expected attack or invasion of the West Coast of the United States. The regiment was scattered throughout a number of areas including Del Mar, La Mesa, and Lindbergh Field, while Alpha company was sent to San Clemente Island. If the Japanese attack had occurred, this lone company of Sacramentans would have been decimated since there was no avenue of retreat or reinforcement. The regiment remained in the greater San Diego area until April, when (similar to the mobilization for World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
) they were stationed at Fort Lewis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a United States military facility located south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
near Seattle, Washington and later to the Presidio of San Francisco
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio of San Francisco is a park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
near San Francisco, California.
In June 1942, while at the Presidio
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio of San Francisco is a park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
, the regiment was relieved from the 40th Infantry Division and attached directly to the Western Defense Command. In November 1942, while still officially under the control of the Western Defense Command, the regiment was attached to the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord
Fort Ord
Fort Ord was a U.S. Army post on Monterey Bay in California. It was established in 1917 as a maneuver area and field artillery target range and was closed in September 1994. Fort Ord was one of the most attractive locations of any U.S. Army post, because of its proximity to the beach and California...
and later Amphibious Training Force Nine. It was during this period that the regiment was reinforced and its title modified to "184th Regimental Combat Team".
Aleutian Islands Campaign
In July 1943, the regiment left San Francisco bound for the Japanese-held Aleutian Islands. The 184th arrived on Adak Island for training and was assigned again to the 7th Infantry Division. On August 15, 1943, the regiment participated in Operation Cottage, the retaking of the last Japanese-held island in the Aleutians. The regiment, augmented by the 1st Battalion, 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, and with the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group on its right, made its first of many assault landings at Long Beach on Kiska Island. When the regiment landed, its commander, Colonel Curtis D. O'Sullivan, ordered the regiment's band to play. They responded with "California, Here I Come," and "The Maple Leaf Forever." After an unopposed landing, the regiment found that the Japanese garrison had been evacuated by a large cruiser and destroyer force on July 28. The enemy had left in such a hurry, that they left mess tables still set with meals, and blankets soaked in fuel oil, but not lit. Nevertheless, the regiment did have the honor of being the only National Guard regiment to regain lost American territory from a foreign enemy in World War II, the first since the War of 1812. On August 23, 1943, the regiment was officially assigned to the 7th Infantry Division. In September 1943, when the island was declared secure, the regiment moved to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. This was a welcome change for the men who just spent over three months on the Alaskan islands, but it did not last long.
Battle of KwajaleinBattle of KwajaleinThe Battle of Kwajalein was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 31 January-3 February 1944, on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Employing the hard-learned lessons of the battle of Tarawa, the United States launched a successful twin assault on the main islands of...
On 20 January 1944, the regiment left Hawaii bound for the Marshall Islands. Kwajalien Atoll had been Japanese territory for decades. As such, they had many opportunities to build a complex system of fortifications. On February 1, 1994, the regiment, along with the 32nd Infantry Regiment assaulted the heavily defended atoll. Two days later, three of the regiment's companies (Alpha, Bravo and Charlie) were given the assignment to clear the highly fortified blockhouse sector. Approximately five days later, when the battle for Kwajalien was over, more than 8,000 Japanese Soldiers of the 61st Naval Guard Force were killed in action. General George C. Marshall, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, later said that the operations on Kwajalien were the most efficient of the war. Once again, the regiment achieved another first, as they were the first National Guard unit to seize and hold territory that Japan held prior to the start of the war.
With the island secure, the regiment re-embarked on to their transports and returned to Hawaii for rehabilitation and more training. On September 15, 1944, they departed Hawaii, bound for Eniwetok Island. Initially, this was to be a staging area for the invasion of Yap Island. When they arrived, however, they found that the operation had been canceled in favor of a larger landing, the liberation of the Philippines.
Battle of LeyteBattle of LeyteThe Battle of Leyte in the Pacific campaign of World War II was the invasion and conquest of the island of Leyte in the Philippines by American and Filipino guerrilla forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Philippines led by...
On November 28, 1944, the 11th Airborne Division relieved the division, less the 17th Infantry Regiment. The division then moved to Baybay, and the 184th started a drive from Damulaan towards the port of Ormac. They then seized the town Albuere and had joined up with soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division, which had landed near Ormac. The remainder of the 7th then moved to Ormac to regroup. From there, they spent several weeks landing on and securing several of the small islands that surround Leyte. On February 10, 1945, they were relieved by the Americal Division and started to prepare for the Ryukyus Campaign. When the division left, they were credited with inflicting more than 54,000 enemy deaths.
Battle of OkinawaBattle of OkinawaThe Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
On April 1, 1945, the division landed on Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
. Initially, the 7th and 96th Infantry Divisions were to clear the southern end of the island. Fortunately for these thinly spread forces, an expected counterattack did not occur. If it had, there was a possibility that the Japanese could have driven the invasion force into the sea. On April 5, the 184th Infantry Regiment encountered typically fierce Japanese opposition at a rocky pinnacle located about 1,000 yards southwest of Arakachi (later dubbed "The Pinnacle
The Pinnacle, Battle of Okinawa
The Pinnacle was the name given to a 30 foot spire, atop a 450 foot ridge of coral approximately 1,000 yards southwest of Arakachi, Okinawa. Heavily fortified by the Japanese 62d Division, this outpost to Japan's main defenses at Shuri held up the U.S...
"). A few days after the landing, the 184th came into contact with elements of the Japanese 32nd Army on the heavily fortified Kakazu Ridge. On April 9, with the assistance of massed artillery fire, Tomb Hill was captured. By now, companies were losing 30 to 50 men per day. Rifle companies of 40 or 50 men became the rule. On May 1, despite the presence of infiltrators, the 184th attacked and briefly held Gala Ridge before losing it to a counterattack. Both sides traded blow for blow until the Japanese fell back to their final defensive positions along the Naha-Shuri-Yanabarau Road. In keeping with their motto, "Let's Go", the 184th, using a rainstorm to cover their movements, outflanked the Japanese positions and effectively cut off their forces on the Chenin Peninsula. All that was left to do was mop up the scattered pockets of resistance on the peninsula. When the campaign ended, the Japanese 32nd Army had lost tens of thousand of its soldiers. The 184th had lost hundreds.
Surrender of JapanSurrender of JapanThe surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
- Occupation of Korea
The 7th Infantry Division began planning for an invasion that was to make Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
look easy - the invasion of the Japanese Home Islands. The dropping of the Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the need for the landings. If they had taken place, some predicted that over a million deaths would have occurred on both sides. Instead, the 7th was rushed to Korea to disarm the Japanese garrison there and to provide an occupation force. When the regiment arrived in Seoul, they had the honor of accepting the surrender of all Japanese forces in that region. While there, the regiment would lose many of its members to rotation, although there were few of the original members of regiment left by now. Those who didn't have enough points to be rotated home were used to help reform the 31st Infantry Regiment that had been destroyed on Bataan. It is ironic that the 184th, who helped destroy the Japanese 16th Division, would be rebuilding the regiment destroyed by the 16th. When the 31st Infantry Regiment was fully reconstituted, it replaced the 184th in the 7th Infantry Division's Order of Battle. On January 20, 1946, the 184th Infantry Regiment was inactivated in Korea.
Demobilization
On August 5, 1946, the 184th Infantry Regiment was relieved from assignment to the 7th Infantry Division and was assigned to the 49th Infantry Division
49th Infantry Division (United States)
The 49th Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army formed from the 52nd Infantry Division.The 52nd Infantry Division was activated on 15 August 1946, and was allocated to the State of California as a National Guard division during the post World War II demobilization. The division was...
of the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.
Decorations
The 184th Infantry Regiment received four Asiatic Pacific Theater streamers with the following inscriptions: ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 1942-1943, EASTERN MANDATES 1944 (with arrowhead), LEYTE 1944-1945 (with arrowhead) and RYUKYUS 1945. The regiment also received a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation with an accompanying streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945 and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation with an accompanying streamer embroidered KOREA 1945-1946.
Post World War II era
On October 10, 1946, the 184th Infantry Regiment was reorganized and federally recognized, with headquarters in Sacramento, as part of the 49th Infantry Division49th Infantry Division (United States)
The 49th Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army formed from the 52nd Infantry Division.The 52nd Infantry Division was activated on 15 August 1946, and was allocated to the State of California as a National Guard division during the post World War II demobilization. The division was...
of the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.
On May 1, 1959, the 184th Infantry Regiment was reorganized as the 184th Infantry, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System, to consist of the 1st and 2nd battle groups, elements of the 49th Infantry Division
49th Infantry Division (United States)
The 49th Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army formed from the 52nd Infantry Division.The 52nd Infantry Division was activated on 15 August 1946, and was allocated to the State of California as a National Guard division during the post World War II demobilization. The division was...
of the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.
On March 1, 1963, the 184th Infantry Regiment was reorganized to consist of the 1st and 2nd battalions, elements of the 49th Infantry Division
49th Infantry Division (United States)
The 49th Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army formed from the 52nd Infantry Division.The 52nd Infantry Division was activated on 15 August 1946, and was allocated to the State of California as a National Guard division during the post World War II demobilization. The division was...
of the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.
1965 Watts RiotsWatts RiotsThe Watts Riots or the Watts Rebellion was a civil disturbance in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California from August 11 to August 15, 1965. The 5-day riot resulted in 34 deaths, 1,032 injuries, and 3,438 arrests...
In August 1965, the first and second battalions of the 184th Infantry Regiment were mobilized in response to the Watts Riots
Watts Riots
The Watts Riots or the Watts Rebellion was a civil disturbance in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California from August 11 to August 15, 1965. The 5-day riot resulted in 34 deaths, 1,032 injuries, and 3,438 arrests...
. The battalions were mobilized as part of the 49th Infantry Division
49th Infantry Division (United States)
The 49th Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army formed from the 52nd Infantry Division.The 52nd Infantry Division was activated on 15 August 1946, and was allocated to the State of California as a National Guard division during the post World War II demobilization. The division was...
, which arrived after much of the rioting had ended.
On December 4, 1965, the 184th Infantry Regiment was reorganized to consist of the 1st battalion, an element of the 49th Infantry Division
49th Infantry Division (United States)
The 49th Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army formed from the 52nd Infantry Division.The 52nd Infantry Division was activated on 15 August 1946, and was allocated to the State of California as a National Guard division during the post World War II demobilization. The division was...
of the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.
On January 29, 1968, the 184th Infantry Regiment was reorganized to consist of the 1st battalion, an element of the 49th Infantry Brigade of the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.
On November 1, 1976, the 184th Infantry Regiment was reorganized to consist of the 1st battalion, an element of the 40th Armored Division
40th Armored Division (United States)
The 40th Armored Division was a division of the United States Army National Guard from July 1954 until 1967.-History:After its return from the Korean War, the 40th Infantry Division was reorganised on 1 July 1954 as the 40th Armored Division...
of the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
.
1992 Los Angeles Riots1992 Los Angeles riotsThe 1992 Los Angeles Riots or South Central Riots, also known as the 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest were sparked on April 29, 1992, when a jury acquitted three white and one hispanic Los Angeles Police Department officers accused in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King following a...
In April 1992, elements of the first battalion were mobilized under state and federal control in response the Los Angeles (Rodney King) riots.
2001-2002 Operation Desert SpringOperation Desert SpringOperation Desert Spring is part of an ongoing operation in Kuwait by the United States, that was established on December 31, 1998, following Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. The mission objective is to maintain a forward presence and provide control and force protection over the...
In 2001, the first battalion's Alpha and Bravo companies (augmented with Soldiers from other battalion elements) were mobilized under federal control for deployment to Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. The Soldiers conducted readiness processing and training at Camp Roberts
Camp Roberts, California
Camp Roberts is a California National Guard post in central California, located on both sides of the Salinas River in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, now run by the California Army National Guard. It is named after Harold W. Roberts, a World War I Medal of Honor recipient...
.
In July 2001, Alpha company arrived in Kuwait. In January 2002, Alpha company was replaced by Bravo company and returned to California in July 2002. Soldiers from the first battalion provided security at Camp Doha
Camp Doha
Camp Doha was the main US Army base in Kuwait, and played a pivotal role in the US military presence in the Middle East since the 1991 Gulf War and in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The complex is located on a small peninsula on Kuwait Bay, west of Kuwait City...
and at several Patriot missile battery sites along the border with Iraq. Although the deployment was scheduled as a routine mission, the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred while Alpha company was in Kuwait, thus the mission changed to become part of the Global War on Terrorism
War on Terror
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
.
Alpha company returned to California as scheduled in January 2002. Bravo company returned to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
as scheduled in in July 2002. Both units returned from theater to Camp Roberts
Camp Roberts, California
Camp Roberts is a California National Guard post in central California, located on both sides of the Salinas River in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, now run by the California Army National Guard. It is named after Harold W. Roberts, a World War I Medal of Honor recipient...
near Paso Robles, California for demobilization activities.
Decorations
While the first battalion did not receive campaign participation credit, those Soldiers who served with Alpha and Bravo companies during this mobilization received either the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
or the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289. It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11,...
.
2004-2006 Operation Iraqi Freedom
In August 2004, the entire first battalion was mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-06. The battalion was initially mobilized to Camp Roberts
Camp Roberts, California
Camp Roberts is a California National Guard post in central California, located on both sides of the Salinas River in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, now run by the California Army National Guard. It is named after Harold W. Roberts, a World War I Medal of Honor recipient...
near Paso Robles, California for initial readiness processing. On August 16, 2004, the battalion was transferred to Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
near El Paso
El Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
for four months of pre-deployment training. In early January 2005, the battalion moved to Fort Polk
Fort Polk
Fort Polk is a United States Army installation located in Vernon Parish, approximately 7 miles east of Leesville, Louisiana and 20 miles north of DeRidder, Louisiana....
in Louisiana for a readiness evaluation prior to movement into theater.
In late January 2005, the battalion arrived in Kuwait to acclimate and conduct final training and organization prior to moving into Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. In late February 2005, the battalion arrived in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and was attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. On March 23, the battalion assumed control of an area of operations in central and southern Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
from the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment
1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment (United States)
1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment is a United States infantry battalion, headquartered at Malvern, Arkansas, assigned to the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Arkansas Army National Guard. The 1–153rd in has deployed companies in support of the Multi-National Security Force to...
, and conducted full spectrum combat operations out of FOB Falcon
Forward Operating Base Falcon
Forward Operating Base Falcon, referred to by some media sources as Camp Falcon, is a United States military forward operating base in Iraq a short distance outside of Baghdad, some south of the Green Zone. For a time it was designated as "Camp Ferrin-Huggins"...
and the Green Zone
Green Zone
The Green Zone is the most common name for the International Zone of Baghdad. It is a area of central Baghdad, Iraq, that was the governmental center of the Coalition Provisional Authority and remains the center of the international presence in the city...
. The battalion's area of operations included the Karrada
Karrada
Karrada is a major affluent district of the city Baghdad, Iraq. It is of a mixed population but it is noted for having majority of Shia population. The presence of Christians are notable in the area...
and Dora
Dora, Baghdad
Dora is a neighborhood in Al Rashid administrative district, southern Baghdad, Iraq. Although this was a majority Christian neighborhood, it became controlled by Sunni Muslim Extremists during the Iraq War...
neighborhoods of southern Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
. Several active duty units were attached to the first battalion to form "Task Force Nightstalker" under the command of the battalion HQ, including one company of M1A1 Abrams tanks from the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. The battalion's Charlie company was temporarily assigned to provide security at the Convention Center in the Green Zone
Green Zone
The Green Zone is the most common name for the International Zone of Baghdad. It is a area of central Baghdad, Iraq, that was the governmental center of the Coalition Provisional Authority and remains the center of the international presence in the city...
during the March 16 first meeting of the transitional National Assembly that was elected on January 30, assuming control of the Convention Center from a company of the 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment and relinquishing control less than two months later to the 13th "Shavnabada" Infantry Battalion from the Republic of Georgia. The battalion provided security during the constitutional referendum held on October 15 and the election of the Council of Representatives on December 15. In January, the battalion was relieved by a company of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment as part of planned operations to increase the role of Iraqi Army and Police forces in the area as a substitute for United States forces. A list of twelve of the Soldiers assigned to the battalion who were killed in action during this mobilization, not including five Soldiers from units who were attached to Task Force Nightstalker, is available here.
The battalion returned to Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in January for demobilization processing, and returned to California in January.
Decorations
The battalion received two Iraq Campaign
Iraq Campaign Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004. The Iraq Campaign Medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry....
streamers with the following inscriptions: IRAQI GOVERNANCE 2004-2005 and NATIONAL RESOLUTION 2005-2007. The battalion also received a Valorous Unit Award and streamer with the inscription BAGHDAD 2005.
2005 Hurricane KatrinaHurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
On September 1, 2005, Soldiers assigned to the first battalion's rear detachment (not forward deployed to Iraq) were mobilized under federal control as part the 2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment
185th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 185th Infantry Regiment is a combat regiment of the United States Army made up of soldiers from the California Army National Guard. Only the 1st Battalion of the regiment remains active. The 185th's higher headquarters is the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in San Diego...
in response to Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
.
The Soldiers were sent to New Orleans, Louisiana as part of Task Force California to help restore order to the city and surrounding area and provide humanitarian assistance. The Soldiers assisted the local residents in the aftermath of one of the most severe natural disasters to occur in the United States.
The Soldiers who mobilized in support of relief operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were released from active duty on November 11, 2005.
2006 Operation Aero Shield2006 transatlantic aircraft plotThe 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot was a terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives carried on board at least 10 airliners travelling from the United Kingdom to the United States and Canada...
In August 2006, elements of the first battalion were mobilized under state control in response to a planned terrorist attack that was disrupted in the planning stages in the United Kingdom.
2007 California WildfiresOctober 2007 California wildfiresThe October 2007 California wildfires were a series of wildfires that began burning across Southern California on October 20. At least 1,500 homes were destroyed and over 500,000 acres of land burned from Santa Barbara County to the U.S.–Mexico border...
On October 22, 2007, elements of the first battalion were mobilized under state control in response to widespread wildfires near San Diego. Elements of the battalion, although they mustered in northern California, were nonetheless some of the first California National Guard elements to occupy Montgomery Airfield
Montgomery Field
Montgomery Field is a public airport located in San Diego, California, United States, six miles north of the central business district of San Diego. The airport covers and has three runways and two helipads...
in San Diego. In addition to other elements of the California National Guard, the battalion used Montgomery Airfield as their primary base of operations to conduct local civil support missions throughout San Diego County. The battalion augmented local security at several sites, including Qualcomm Stadium
Qualcomm Stadium
Qualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area....
, that were established to support local residents who were forced to evacuate their homes. In addition, elements of the battalion augmented local authorities throughout the area, conducting patrols of evacuated neighborhoods and manning checkpoints.
As a link to their progenitors of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Montgomery Airfield
Montgomery Field
Montgomery Field is a public airport located in San Diego, California, United States, six miles north of the central business district of San Diego. The airport covers and has three runways and two helipads...
is located two miles south of MCAS Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar , formerly Naval Air Station Miramar is a United States Marine Corps installation that is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is the aviation element of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force...
, which was previously named Camp Kearney. Camp Kearney was the site where many of the Soldiers in the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California) were mobilized and demobilized for service during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
2008 California WildfiresSummer 2008 California wildfiresThe summer 2008 California wildfires, collectively dubbed the Northern California Lightning Series by CAL FIRE, were a concentrated outbreak of wildfires during the summer of 2008. Over 2,780 individual fires were burning at the height of the period, burning large portions of forests and chaparral...
In July 2008, elements of the first battalion were mobilized under state control in response to widespread wildfires throughout California. The battalion completed hand crew training for wildland fire fighting in conjunction with the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
at McClellan Airfield
McClellan Airfield
McClellan Airfield , known officially as McClellan Airport, is a county-owned public-use airport located six miles northeast of the central business district of Sacramento, a city in Sacramento County, California, United States....
, but the battalion was never selected to perform actual wildland fire fighting.
2008-2009 Operation Iraqi Freedom
In August 2008, the first battalion's Alpha and Bravo companies (augmented with Soldiers from other battalion elements) were mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-09. The companies were released from the 184th Infantry Regiment and reassigned to the 1st Battalion, 185th Armor Regiment
185th Armor Regiment (United States)
The 185th Armor Regiment is a combat regiment of the United States Army consisting of soldiers from the California Army National Guard.-Lineage:...
.
The two companies performed Combat Logistical Patrols throughout northern Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. In August 2009, the two companies returned to California.
Decorations
While the first battalion did not receive campaign participation credit, those Soldiers who served with Alpha and Bravo companies during this deployment earned Iraq Campaign
Iraq Campaign Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004. The Iraq Campaign Medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry....
credit for IRAQI SURGE and IRAQI SOVEREIGNTY.
2008-2009 Operation Joint Guardian
In December 2008, the first battalion's HQ and Delta Company were mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In addition to the battalion's HQ and Delta Company, "Task Force Nightstalker" consisted of Alpha Company from the 1st Battalion, 185th Armor Regiment
185th Armor Regiment (United States)
The 185th Armor Regiment is a combat regiment of the United States Army consisting of soldiers from the California Army National Guard.-Lineage:...
and Echo Company from the Special Troops Battalion, 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Task Force Nightstalker was once again assigned to the 40th Infantry Division. The task force conducted initial readiness processing and training at Camp Roberts
Camp Roberts, California
Camp Roberts is a California National Guard post in central California, located on both sides of the Salinas River in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, now run by the California Army National Guard. It is named after Harold W. Roberts, a World War I Medal of Honor recipient...
in November 2008. In December 2008, the task force moved to Camp Atterbury
Camp Atterbury
Camp Atterbury, near Edinburgh, Indiana, USA, is a training base of the Indiana National Guard. It was planned just months before the U.S. entry into World War II. Originally surveyed and researched by the Hurd Company, the present site was recommended to Congress in 1941. Construction commenced...
in Indiana for additional training. In January 2009, the task force moved to JMRC Hohenfels
Hohenfels, Bavaria
Hohenfels is a municipality in the district of Neumarkt in the region of Upper Palatinate in Bavaria, Germany. The town is host to the United States Army Garrison Hohenfels, which operates the Joint Multinational Readiness Center for training NATO armed forces....
for final validation training prior to moving into the Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
theater.
The task force operated in Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
as part of Multinational Task Force East (KFOR 11). The task force operated as one of two maneuver task forces tasked with providing a safe and secure environment and ensuring freedom of movement in accordance with United Nations Resolution 1244. On March 7, the task force assumed control of an area of operations in the Gnjilane, Kamenica, and Novo Brdo areas of eastern Kosovo from the 1st Battalion, 129th Field Artillery Regiment. The majority of the stability and support operations were conducted by the task force out of Camp Bondsteel.
In October 2009, Task Force Nightstalker began familiarization training with their relief force, the 231st Maneuver Task Force, a unit consisting of Soldiers from both the 231st Brigade Support Battalion and the 137th Infantry Regiment. In late October, Task Force Nightstalker officially handed over responsibility for their area of operations to the 231st Maneuver Task Force.
In November 2009, the task force departed Kosovo to conduct demobilization operations at Fort Lewis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a United States military facility located south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
near Seattle, Washington and returned to California a few weeks later.
The battalion received one Kosovo Campaign
Kosovo Campaign Medal
The Kosovo Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces established by Executive Order 13154 of President Bill Clinton on May 3, 2000...
streamer with the following inscription: KOSOVO DEFENSE CAMPAIGN. Individual Soldiers may also have received the Kosovo Campaign Medal
Kosovo Campaign Medal
The Kosovo Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces established by Executive Order 13154 of President Bill Clinton on May 3, 2000...
and the NATO Non-Article 5 Medal
NATO Medal
The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . It is manufactured by Eekelers - Centini, International, of Hemiksem, Belgium...
.
Subordinate Units
Only the first battalion remains an active unit. The second battalion was deactivated when the regiment was reorganized on January 29. 1968. The third battalion was deactivated when the regiment was reorganized on May 1, 1949.First Battalion
The first battalion currently serves as one of two infantry battalions of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.- Headquarters and Headquarters Company is stationed in Modesto, California.
- Alpha Company is stationed in Visalia, California. They are one of the first battalion's three rifle companies.
- Bravo Company is stationed at Camp Parks RFTA in Dublin, California. They are one of the first battalion's three rifle companies.
- Charlie Company is stationed in Auburn, California. They are one of the first battalion's three rifle companies.
- Delta Company is stationed in Oakdale, California. They provide anti-armor support for the first battalion.
- Echo Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is located in Fresno, California. They provide transportation and other support as the first battalion's Forward Support Company (FSC).