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35th Infantry Regiment (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 35th Infantry Regiment ("Cacti") was created on 1 July 1916 at Douglas, Arizona
from elements of the 11th, 18th and 22nd Infantry Regiments. The 35th served on the Mexican Border during the First World War and was stationed at Nogales
, Arizona
in 1918. It fought a border skirmish on August 27, 1918 during the Battle of Ambos Nogales
.
In World War II, Korea, and Vietnam it served as part of the 25th Infantry (Tropic Lighting) Division.
As of 2009, the only active element of the regiment is the 2nd Battalion, which is assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Infantry), 25th Infantry Division.
in 1918 when the alarm went out, officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers shouted out, "Take Arms! Take Arms!"
The U.S. 35th Infantry border post had about 15-18 men and requested reinforcements from their garrison. When they arrived they requested the Buffalo Soldier
s of the 10th Cavalry. The 10th, commanded by Frederick Herman, came to their aid from their camp outside of town. After observing the situation for a few moments, Lt Colonel Herman ordered an attack on the Mexican and German held hilltops overlooking the border town. Defensive trenches and machine gun placements had been seen being dug there in the previous weeks. Herman wanted Americans there before Mexican reinforcements got there.
Under heavy fire, the U.S. 35th Regimental infantry soldiers and dismounted 10th Cavalry troops advanced across the Mexican-American border through the buildings and streets of Nogales, Sonora
and up onto the nearby hilltops. This was done while other units of the 35th Regiment held the main line near the border post. About 7:45 PM, the Mexicans waved a large white flag of surrender over their customs building. Lt. Colonel Herman observed and then ordered an immediate cease fire. Snipers on both sides continued shooting for a little while after the cease fire, but were eventually silenced upon orders from their superiors.
, 25 November 1942, to relieve Marines near Henderson Field
. First elements landed near the Tenaru River
, 17 December 1942, and entered combat, 10 January 1943, participating in the seizure of Kokumbona
and the reduction of the Mount Austen Pocket in some of the bitterest fighting of the Pacific campaign. With other units on 5 February 1943 it helped end organized enemy resistance.
A period of garrison duty followed, ending 21 July: On that date, advance elements debarked on Munda
, New Georgia
. The 35th Infantry, under the Northern Landing Force, took part in the capture of Vella Lavella
, 15 August to 15 September 1943. Organized resistance on New Georgia
ended, 25 August, and the division moved to New Zealand
for rest and training, last elements arriving on 5 December. The 25th was transferred to New Caledonia
, 3 February-14 March 1944, for continued training.
The division landed in the San Fabian
area of Luzon
, 11 January 1945, to enter the struggle for the liberation of the Philippines
. It drove across the Luzon Central Plain, meeting the enemy at Binalonan, 17 January. Moving through the rice paddies, the 25th occupied Umingan, Lupao, and San Jose
and destroyed a great part of the Japanese armor on Luzon. On 21 February, the division began operations in the Caraballo Mountains
. It fought its way along Highway No. 5, taking Digdig, Putlan, and Kapintalan against fierce enemy counterattacks and took Balete Pass, 13 May, and opened the gateway to the Cagayan Valley
, 27 May, with the capture of Santa Fe. Until 30 June, when the division was relieved, it carried out mopping-up activities. On 1 July, the division moved to Tarlac
for training, leaving for Japan
, 20 September. At the end of the war the 35th was involved with occupation duty in Japan.
recipients during World War II, William G. Fournier
, Lewis R. Hall and Charles L. McGaha
.
). Acting under United Nations
orders, the Tropic Lightning Division moved from its base in Japan to Korea between 5–18 July 1950. The 35th fought out of the Pusan perimeter and was part of the successful drive into North Korea in October 1950. In a sudden and unexpected reversal, however, an overwhelming number of Chinese Communist troops crossed the Yalu and pushed back United Nations forces all along the front. The 35th Regiment was forced to carry out a systematic withdrawal and ordered to take up defensive positions on the south bank of the Chongchon River 30 November 1950. Eventually, these lines failed. However, after a series of short withdrawals a permanent battle line was established south of Osan. Then followed the see-saw battles that finally evolved into static warfare along the Iron Triangle
into 1952.
The 35th Regiment with the rest of the 25th Infantry Division assumed the responsibility of guarding the approaches of Seoul
5 May 1953. 23 days later, a heavy Chinese assault was hurled at it. The division held its ground and the assault was repulsed; the brunt of the attack was absorbed by the 14th Infantry Regiment
("Golden Dragons"). By successfully defending Seoul from continued attack from May to July 1953, the division earned its second Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Again negotiators moved toward peace. In July, the division again moved to reserve status at Camp Casey
where it remained through the signing of the armistice 27 July 1953. Fourteen division soldiers were awarded Medals of Honor during the Korean War, making the division one of the most decorated US Army divisions of that war.
The Regiment remained in Korea until 1954 and returned to Hawaii from September through October of that year. After a 12-year absence, the 25th Infantry Division had finally returned home.
recipients in Korea, William R. Jecelin
, Billie G. Kanell
and Donald R. Moyer
.
. Final units arrived by Christmas 1965. The Regiment was heavily engaged from April 1966 until 1972 throughout the area of operations in Southeast Asia. During this period, 25th Division Tropic Lightning soldiers fought in some of the toughest battles of the war.
During the Tet offensives of 1968 and 1969, Tropic Lightning soldiers were instrumental in defending the besieged city of Saigon. Due to its success in fending off that attack, the 25th Infantry Division spent most of 1970 more involved in the Vietnamization Program than in actual combat. From May through June 1970, The 35th Regiment and the rest of the Tropic Lightning soldiers participated in Allied thrusts deep into enemy sanctuaries located in Cambodia
. In these Incursion
operations, the division units confiscated thousands of tons of supplies and hundreds of weapons. This operation crippled the Cambodian-based efforts against American units. Following its return from Cambodia to South Vietnam, the division resumed its place in the Vietnamization Program. The war was winding down. By late December 1970, elements of the 35th Regiment were able to begin redeployment to Schofield Barracks. During the war in Vietnam, 22 Medals of Honor were awarded to Tropic Lightning soldiers.
recipients in Vietnam, Stephen Karopczyc
, Ronald Eric Ray and Kenneth E. Stumpf
.
, where more than 5,000 divisional troops and 1700 pieces of equipment were airlifted to South Korea for this annual exercise.
In 1985, the 35th Regiment with the rest of the 25th Division began its reorganization from a conventional infantry division to a light infantry
division. The four primary characteristics of this new light infantry division were to be: mission flexibility, rapid deployment and combat readiness at 100 percent strength with a Pacific Basin orientation. The 25th Infantry Division earned the designation "light" — the reorganization was completed by 1 October 1986.
In 1988, the 35th Regiment participated in rotations at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Chaffee
, Arkansas. This training center provides the most realistic training available to light forces in the Army. Coupled with Joint/Combined training exercises Cobra Gold in Thailand, Kangaroo in Australia and Orient Shield in Japan, the 25th Division's demanding exercise schedule significantly increased the division's fighting capabilities. Until 1993 Operation Team Spirit in Korea remained the division's largest annual maneuver exercise, involving more than half of the division's strength.
In 1995, the 25th Division underwent another reorganization and reduction as a part of the Army's downsizing, but most elements of the 35th Regiment were maintained.
In early 2005, an airborne brigade was created at Fort Richardson, Alaska and added to the 25th. Today the "Tropic Lightning" Division is composed of the 1st and 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (based in Fort Wainwright, Alaska and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, respectively), the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Schofield Barracks) and The 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team (based at Fort Richardson, Alaska), in addition to the Combat Aviation Brigade
. As a major ground reserve force for the U.S. Pacific Command, the "Tropic Lightning" Division routinely deploys from Schofield Barracks to participate in exercises in Japan
, Korea
, Thailand
, the Philippines
, Australia
and the Big Island of Hawaii
.
and Iraq
from 2001–2003. The 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division began deploying in the Divisional second stage to Afghanistan in March 2004. The 25th Infantry Division redeployed to Schofield Barracks Hawaii in April 2005. One of the missions of the 3rd Brigade was to track down insurgent Taliban and Al-Qaeda members in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan.
In 2005, the 35th Regiment as part of the 3rd Brigade began its transformation as a Unit of Action (UA). The (Light) status was dropped from the 25th Division name in January 2006.
As of March 2009, the 35th Regiment as part of the 3rd Brigade are deployed to Iraq
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In June-August 2009, the 25th Division was deployed in Operation Champion Sword
.
* Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered GUADALCANAL 
* Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered NAM RIVER
* Valorous Unit Award
, Streamer embroidered QUANG NGAI PROVINCE
* Meritorious Unit Commendation
(Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1968
* Meritorious Unit Commendation
(Army), Streamer embroidered IRAQ 2006-2007
.svg.png)
* Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945
.svg.png)
* Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
, Streamer embroidered MASAN-CHINJU
* Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered MUNSAN-NI
* Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1966-1967 
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1969
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969-1970
* Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1969 
Valorous Unit Award
, Streamer embroidered PLEIKU PROVINCE
Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered PLEIKU PROVINCE
(35th Infantry assigned 7 August 1918 to the 18th Division; relieved 14 February 1919 from assignment to the 18th Division; assigned 17 October 1922 to the Hawaiian Division; relieved 1 October 1941 from assignment to the Hawaiian Division and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division)
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam
Douglas, Arizona
Douglas is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. Douglas has a border crossing with Mexico and a history of mining.The population was 14,312 at the 2000 census...
from elements of the 11th, 18th and 22nd Infantry Regiments. The 35th served on the Mexican Border during the First World War and was stationed at Nogales
Nogales, Arizona
Nogales is a city in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 21,017 at the 2010 census. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,833. The city is the county seat of Santa Cruz County....
, 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...
in 1918. It fought a border skirmish on August 27, 1918 during the Battle of Ambos Nogales
Battle of Ambos Nogales
The Battle of Ambos Nogales , or the Third Battle of Nogales, was an engagement fought on August 27, 1918 between United States Army forces, stationed in Nogales, Arizona, and the Carrancista garrison of Nogales, Sonora...
.
In World War II, Korea, and Vietnam it served as part of the 25th Infantry (Tropic Lighting) Division.
As of 2009, the only active element of the regiment is the 2nd Battalion, which is assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Infantry), 25th Infantry Division.
Regimental Arms
The unit crest and its distinctive unit insignia is a living tribute to the 35th Infantry Regiment. The regiment was originally formed in Arizona from elements of the 11th, 18th, and 22d Infantry Regiments. These organizations are represented on the canton of the crest, in the upper left-hand corner. The white Maltese cross represents the 11th Regiment, the red acorn represents the 18th Regiment, and the embattled partition line of the canton represents the 22nd Regiment. The cactus represents the original service along the Mexican border against the bandits of Pancho Villa.Motto
The regimental motto is "Take Arms!" During the Battle of Ambos NogalesBattle of Ambos Nogales
The Battle of Ambos Nogales , or the Third Battle of Nogales, was an engagement fought on August 27, 1918 between United States Army forces, stationed in Nogales, Arizona, and the Carrancista garrison of Nogales, Sonora...
in 1918 when the alarm went out, officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers shouted out, "Take Arms! Take Arms!"
Mission
The current mission statement of the regiment is the same one of the 25th Infantry:-
-
-
-
- "On order, 25th ID redeploys, resets, and deploys trained forces to contingencies
- and operations worldwide to accomplish all assigned tasks in support of a designated
- Joint Force Commander."
-
-
-
World War I
The 35th Infantry Regiment was stationed at Nogales, Arizona on August 27, 1918, when at about 4:10 PM, a gun battle erupted unintentionally when a Mexican civilian attempted to pass through the border, back to Mexico, without being interrogated at the U.S. Customs house. After the initial shooting, reinforcements from both sides rushed to the border line. Hostilities quickly escalated and several soldiers were killed and others wounded.The U.S. 35th Infantry border post had about 15-18 men and requested reinforcements from their garrison. When they arrived they requested the Buffalo Soldier
Buffalo Soldier
Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas....
s of the 10th Cavalry. The 10th, commanded by Frederick Herman, came to their aid from their camp outside of town. After observing the situation for a few moments, Lt Colonel Herman ordered an attack on the Mexican and German held hilltops overlooking the border town. Defensive trenches and machine gun placements had been seen being dug there in the previous weeks. Herman wanted Americans there before Mexican reinforcements got there.
Under heavy fire, the U.S. 35th Regimental infantry soldiers and dismounted 10th Cavalry troops advanced across the Mexican-American border through the buildings and streets of Nogales, Sonora
Nogales, Sonora
Heroica Nogales , more commonly known as Nogales, is a city and its surrounding municipality on the northern border of the Mexican State of Sonora. The municipality covers an area of 1,675 km², and borders to the north the city of Nogales, Arizona, United States, across the U.S.-Mexico border...
and up onto the nearby hilltops. This was done while other units of the 35th Regiment held the main line near the border post. About 7:45 PM, the Mexicans waved a large white flag of surrender over their customs building. Lt. Colonel Herman observed and then ordered an immediate cease fire. Snipers on both sides continued shooting for a little while after the cease fire, but were eventually silenced upon orders from their superiors.
World War II
The 35th Regiment was attached to the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. It was sent to GuadalcanalGuadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
, 25 November 1942, to relieve Marines near Henderson Field
Henderson Field (Guadalcanal)
Henderson Field is a former military airfield on Guadacanal, Solomon Islands during World War II. Today it is Honiara International Airport.-Japanese construction:...
. First elements landed near the Tenaru River
Tenaru River
The Tenaru is the name of a river on the northern coast of Guadalcanal with a tributary at Savo Sound . During World War II, it was the site for the Battle of the Tenaru River.-References:...
, 17 December 1942, and entered combat, 10 January 1943, participating in the seizure of Kokumbona
Kokumbona
Kokumbona is a village on the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.It was a Japanese base during World War II and the site of a United States Marine Corps amphibious landing on 19 August 1942....
and the reduction of the Mount Austen Pocket in some of the bitterest fighting of the Pacific campaign. With other units on 5 February 1943 it helped end organized enemy resistance.
A period of garrison duty followed, ending 21 July: On that date, advance elements debarked on Munda
Munda (Solomon Islands)
Munda is the largest settlement on the island of New Georgia in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, and consists of a number of villages...
, New Georgia
New Georgia
New Georgia is the largest island of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands.-Geography:This island is located in the New Georgia Group, an archipelago including most of the other larger islands in the province...
. The 35th Infantry, under the Northern Landing Force, took part in the capture of Vella Lavella
Vella Lavella
Vella Lavella is an island in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. It lies to the west of New Georgia, but is considered one of the New Georgia Group...
, 15 August to 15 September 1943. Organized resistance on New Georgia
New Georgia
New Georgia is the largest island of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands.-Geography:This island is located in the New Georgia Group, an archipelago including most of the other larger islands in the province...
ended, 25 August, and the division moved to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
for rest and training, last elements arriving on 5 December. The 25th was transferred to New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
, 3 February-14 March 1944, for continued training.
The division landed in the San Fabian
San Fabián
San Fabián is one of 21 communes in the Ñuble Province of central Chile's Biobío Region. The capital is the town of San Fabián de Alico. The commune spans an area of .-Administration:...
area of Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, 11 January 1945, to enter the struggle for the liberation of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It drove across the Luzon Central Plain, meeting the enemy at Binalonan, 17 January. Moving through the rice paddies, the 25th occupied Umingan, Lupao, and San Jose
San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
San Jose City is a 2nd class city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is the northernmost city of the province. According to the latest Philippine census, it has a population of 122,353 people in 23,191 households....
and destroyed a great part of the Japanese armor on Luzon. On 21 February, the division began operations in the Caraballo Mountains
Caraballo Mountains
Caraballo Mountains is a mountain range in the central part of Luzon, Philippines. It is located between Cordillera Central and Sierra Madre mountain ranges, at .This Caraballo Mountains are the location of the headwaters of the Cagayan River....
. It fought its way along Highway No. 5, taking Digdig, Putlan, and Kapintalan against fierce enemy counterattacks and took Balete Pass, 13 May, and opened the gateway to the Cagayan Valley
Cagayan Valley
Cagayan Valley is a region of the Philippines, also designated as Region II or Region 02. It is composed of five provinces, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino...
, 27 May, with the capture of Santa Fe. Until 30 June, when the division was relieved, it carried out mopping-up activities. On 1 July, the division moved to Tarlac
Tarlac
Tarlac is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Luzon Island. Its capital is Tarlac City. Tarlac borders Pampanga to the south, Nueva Ecija to the east, Pangasinan to the north, and Zambales to the west...
for training, leaving for Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 20 September. At the end of the war the 35th was involved with occupation duty in Japan.
Medal of Honor - WWII
The 35th Infantry Regiment had three Medal of HonorMedal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipients during World War II, William G. Fournier
William G. Fournier
William G. Fournier was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.-Biography:...
, Lewis R. Hall and Charles L. McGaha
Charles L. McGaha
Charles L. McGaha was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.-Biography:...
.
Korean War
Open warfare once again flared in Asia, now the 25th division's primary area of concern, on 25 June 1950. The North Korean People's Army crossed the 38th Parallel on that day in an attack on the Republic of Korea (South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
). Acting under United Nations
United Nations Command (Korea)
The United Nations Command is the unified command structure for the multinational military forces supporting the Republic of Korea during and after the Korean War...
orders, the Tropic Lightning Division moved from its base in Japan to Korea between 5–18 July 1950. The 35th fought out of the Pusan perimeter and was part of the successful drive into North Korea in October 1950. In a sudden and unexpected reversal, however, an overwhelming number of Chinese Communist troops crossed the Yalu and pushed back United Nations forces all along the front. The 35th Regiment was forced to carry out a systematic withdrawal and ordered to take up defensive positions on the south bank of the Chongchon River 30 November 1950. Eventually, these lines failed. However, after a series of short withdrawals a permanent battle line was established south of Osan. Then followed the see-saw battles that finally evolved into static warfare along the Iron Triangle
Iron Triangle (Korea)
The Iron Triangle was a key communist Chinese and North Korean concentration area and communications junction during the Korean War, located in the central sector between Chorwon and Kumwha in the south and Pyonggang in the north...
into 1952.
The 35th Regiment with the rest of the 25th Infantry Division assumed the responsibility of guarding the approaches of Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
5 May 1953. 23 days later, a heavy Chinese assault was hurled at it. The division held its ground and the assault was repulsed; the brunt of the attack was absorbed by the 14th Infantry Regiment
U.S. 14th Infantry Regiment
The 14th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army light infantry regiment, known as the Golden Dragons. It has been active in every major conflict since its creation, except World War I, including the American Civil War, Boxer Rebellion, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert...
("Golden Dragons"). By successfully defending Seoul from continued attack from May to July 1953, the division earned its second Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Again negotiators moved toward peace. In July, the division again moved to reserve status at Camp Casey
Camp Casey, South Korea
Camp Casey is an American military camp in Dongducheon , South Korea, north of Seoul, South Korea. Camp Casey was named in 1952 after Major Hugh Boyd Casey, who was killed in an airplane crash near Camp Casey during the Korean War. Camp Casey is one of several U.S. Army bases in South Korea near...
where it remained through the signing of the armistice 27 July 1953. Fourteen division soldiers were awarded Medals of Honor during the Korean War, making the division one of the most decorated US Army divisions of that war.
The Regiment remained in Korea until 1954 and returned to Hawaii from September through October of that year. After a 12-year absence, the 25th Infantry Division had finally returned home.
Medal of Honor - Korea
The 35th Infantry Regiment had three Medal of HonorMedal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipients in Korea, William R. Jecelin
William R. Jecelin
William R. Jecelin was a soldier in the United States Army who posthumously received the United States military's highest decoration for bravery, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Korean War. He was born and joined the Army from Baltimore, Maryland and was sent as a Sergeant to fight...
, Billie G. Kanell
Billie G. Kanell
- External links :...
and Donald R. Moyer
Donald R. Moyer
Donald R. Moyer was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 20, 1951....
.
Vietnam
In August 1965, the 35th Regiment started their rotation into the Vietnam War, arriving in South Vietnam. They went to the central highlands at PleikuPleiku
Pleiku is a town in central Vietnam, located in that nation's central highland region. It is the capital of the Gia Lai Province; it is inhabited primarily by the Bahnar and Jarai ethnic groups, sometimes known as the Montagnards or Degar....
. Final units arrived by Christmas 1965. The Regiment was heavily engaged from April 1966 until 1972 throughout the area of operations in Southeast Asia. During this period, 25th Division Tropic Lightning soldiers fought in some of the toughest battles of the war.
During the Tet offensives of 1968 and 1969, Tropic Lightning soldiers were instrumental in defending the besieged city of Saigon. Due to its success in fending off that attack, the 25th Infantry Division spent most of 1970 more involved in the Vietnamization Program than in actual combat. From May through June 1970, The 35th Regiment and the rest of the Tropic Lightning soldiers participated in Allied thrusts deep into enemy sanctuaries located in Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
. In these Incursion
Cambodian Incursion
The Cambodian Campaign was a series of military operations conducted in eastern Cambodia during mid-1970 by the United States and the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. These invasions were a result of policy of President Richard Nixon whose decision it was to invade...
operations, the division units confiscated thousands of tons of supplies and hundreds of weapons. This operation crippled the Cambodian-based efforts against American units. Following its return from Cambodia to South Vietnam, the division resumed its place in the Vietnamization Program. The war was winding down. By late December 1970, elements of the 35th Regiment were able to begin redeployment to Schofield Barracks. During the war in Vietnam, 22 Medals of Honor were awarded to Tropic Lightning soldiers.
Medal of Honor - Vietnam
The 35th Infantry Regiment had three Medal of HonorMedal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipients in Vietnam, Stephen Karopczyc
Stephen Karopczyc
Stephen Edward Karopczyc is a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor. He was a 1961 graduate of Chaminade High School, and he served in the United States Army in the Vietnam War. He was First Lieutenant, U.S...
, Ronald Eric Ray and Kenneth E. Stumpf
Kenneth E. Stumpf
Kenneth Edward Stumpf is a retired United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.-Biography:...
.
Reorganization and Light Infantry Status
After its return to Schofield Barracks, the 35th Infantry Regiment became a cadre unit due to the overall military downsizing and was part of a single brigade numbering 4,000 men. The 25th Division was reactivated in March 1972. The 35th Regiment trained for the next eight years throughout the Pacific Theater and continued to improve its combat capabilities with troop deployment varying in size from squads, who participated in training missions with Fijian forces, to exercises as large as Team SpiritTeam Spirit
Team Spirit was a joint military training exercise of United States Forces Korea and the Military of South Korea held between 1976 and 1993. The exercise was scheduled from 1994 to 1996 but cancelled in each year as part of diplomacy to encourage the Government of North Korea to disable the North...
, where more than 5,000 divisional troops and 1700 pieces of equipment were airlifted to South Korea for this annual exercise.
In 1985, the 35th Regiment with the rest of the 25th Division began its reorganization from a conventional infantry division to a light infantry
Light infantry
Traditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
division. The four primary characteristics of this new light infantry division were to be: mission flexibility, rapid deployment and combat readiness at 100 percent strength with a Pacific Basin orientation. The 25th Infantry Division earned the designation "light" — the reorganization was completed by 1 October 1986.
In 1988, the 35th Regiment participated in rotations at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Chaffee
Fort Chaffee
Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center is in the northwest Arkansas region adjacent to the city of Fort Smith, located one mile southeast of Fort Smith Regional Airport. The Arkansas River flows eastward along the northern border of the post. Interstate 40 is five miles to the north on the...
, Arkansas. This training center provides the most realistic training available to light forces in the Army. Coupled with Joint/Combined training exercises Cobra Gold in Thailand, Kangaroo in Australia and Orient Shield in Japan, the 25th Division's demanding exercise schedule significantly increased the division's fighting capabilities. Until 1993 Operation Team Spirit in Korea remained the division's largest annual maneuver exercise, involving more than half of the division's strength.
Desert Storm and the Post-Cold War Era
The 35th Regiment units did not participate in Operation Desert Storm, due to the 25th Division being earmarked for Pacific contingencies, such as a renewal of hostilities in Korea.In 1995, the 25th Division underwent another reorganization and reduction as a part of the Army's downsizing, but most elements of the 35th Regiment were maintained.
In early 2005, an airborne brigade was created at Fort Richardson, Alaska and added to the 25th. Today the "Tropic Lightning" Division is composed of the 1st and 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (based in Fort Wainwright, Alaska and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, respectively), the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Schofield Barracks) and The 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team (based at Fort Richardson, Alaska), in addition to the Combat Aviation Brigade
Combat Aviation Brigade
A Combat Aviation Brigade is a multi-functional brigade-sized unit in the United States Army that fields military helicopters, offering a combination of attack helicopters , reconnaissance helicopters , medium-lift helicopters , heavy-lift helicopters , and MEDEVAC capability.- History :Combat...
. As a major ground reserve force for the U.S. Pacific Command, the "Tropic Lightning" Division routinely deploys from Schofield Barracks to participate in exercises in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and the Big Island of Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
Transformation and War on Terror
The 35th Regiment and the 3rd Brigade did not take part in the fighting in AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and 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....
from 2001–2003. The 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division began deploying in the Divisional second stage to Afghanistan in March 2004. The 25th Infantry Division redeployed to Schofield Barracks Hawaii in April 2005. One of the missions of the 3rd Brigade was to track down insurgent Taliban and Al-Qaeda members in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan.
In 2005, the 35th Regiment as part of the 3rd Brigade began its transformation as a Unit of Action (UA). The (Light) status was dropped from the 25th Division name in January 2006.
As of March 2009, the 35th Regiment as part of the 3rd Brigade are deployed to 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 support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In June-August 2009, the 25th Division was deployed in Operation Champion Sword
Operation Champion Sword
Operation Champion Sword was a joint military operation by the forces of the United States and Afghanistan as part of an International Security Assistance Force against the Taliban and allies. Lasting for a week, the operation resulted in the capture of 14 militants and homemade bomb-makers, as...
.
Regimental honors
The regiment has a honored and decorated history; * Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered GUADALCANAL * Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered NAM RIVERBattle of Nam River
The Battle of Nam River was an engagement between United Nations and North Korean forces early in the Korean War from August 31 to September 19, 1950 in the vicinity of the Nam River and the Naktong River in South Korea. It was a part of the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, and was one of several large...
* Valorous Unit AwardValorous Unit Award
The Valorous Unit Award is the second highest unit decoration which may be bestowed upon a U.S. Army unit and is considered the unit equivalent of the Silver Star...
, Streamer embroidered QUANG NGAI PROVINCE
* Meritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
(Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1968
* Meritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
(Army), Streamer embroidered IRAQ 2006-2007
* Philippine Presidential Unit CitationPresidential Unit Citation (Philippines)
The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is a decoration of the Republic of the Philippines which has been awarded to certain units of the United States military for actions both during and subsequent to the Second World War....
, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945
* Republic of Korea Presidential Unit CitationPresidential Unit Citation (Korea)
The Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation is issued by the government of South Korea to both Korean military and foreign units. The last major issuance of the decoration was during the Korean War when the decoration was bestowed to several U.S., U.K., and Commonwealth military units...
, Streamer embroidered MASAN-CHINJU
* Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered MUNSAN-NI * Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA Additional decorations of 1st Bn
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1966-1967 * Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1969 * Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969-1970 * Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1969 - Company A additionally entitled to:
Valorous Unit AwardValorous Unit Award
The Valorous Unit Award is the second highest unit decoration which may be bestowed upon a U.S. Army unit and is considered the unit equivalent of the Silver Star...
, Streamer embroidered PLEIKU PROVINCE
- Company B additionally entitled to:
Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered PLEIKU PROVINCE Regimental history
The 35th Infantry Regimental history dates from 1916.- Constituted 1 July 1916 in the Regular Army as Company B, 35th Infantry
- Organized 13 July 1916 at Douglas, Arizona - Constituted 1 July 1916 in the Regular Army as Company B, 35th Infantry
- Organized 13 July 1916 at Douglas, Arizona
(35th Infantry assigned 7 August 1918 to the 18th Division; relieved 14 February 1919 from assignment to the 18th Division; assigned 17 October 1922 to the Hawaiian Division; relieved 1 October 1941 from assignment to the Hawaiian Division and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division)
- Inactivated 1 February 1957 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and relieved from assignment to the 25th Infantry Division; concurrently redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battle Group, 35th Infantry
- Assigned 19 February 1962 to the 25th Infantry Division and activated at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated)
- Reorganized and redesignated 12 August 1963 as the 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry
- Relieved 1 August 1967 from assignment to the 25th Infantry Division and assigned to the 4th Infantry Division
- Relieved 15 December 1970 from assignment to the 4th Infantry Division and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division
- Inactivated 5 June 1972 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and relieved from assignment to the 25th Infantry Division
- Assigned 16 August 1995 to the 25th Infantry Division and activated at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
Regimental campaign history
Campaign participation credits;World War II
- Central Pacific
- Guadalcanal
- Northern Solomons (with arrowhead)
- Luzon
Korean War
- UN Defensive
- UN Offensive
- CCF Intervention
- First UN Counteroffensive
- CCF Spring Offensive
- UN Summer-Fall Offensive
- Second Korean Winter
- Korea, Summer-Fall 1952
- Third Korean Winter
- Korea, Summer 1953
Vietnam
- Counteroffensive
- Counteroffensive, Phase II
- Counteroffensive, Phase III
- Tet Counteroffensive
- Counteroffensive, Phase IV
- Counteroffensive, Phase V
- Counteroffensive, Phase VI
- Tet 69/Counteroffensive
- Summer-Fall 1969
- Winter-Spring 1970
- Sanctuary Counteroffensive
- Counteroffensive, Phase VII