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50th Infantry Regiment (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 50th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army
infantry regiment.
In addition to the 1st Battalion, the separate Company E (Long Range Patrol), 50th Infantry, was active with the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam. Also, Company F (LRP), 50th Infantry, was active in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division.
A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Argent, on a pale wavy Azure a dolphin hauriant embowed of the field, on a canton of the second the totem pole of the 23d Infantry Tenné. Attached below the shield a Silver scroll inscribed “PLAY THE GAME” in Blue letters.
The Regiment was organized in 1917 at Syracuse, New York, by drafts of personnel from the 23d Infantry. The shield is white and blue for Infantry. The device of Syracuse is a dolphin. The parentage of the Regiment is indicated in the canton. The 23d took over Alaska in 1867 and this is commemorated by the crest of that Regiment which is an eagle, the new owner America, upon a plate which is upon the head of a bear, the old owner Russia, the story being that the old owner gave a feast to the new owner when the country changed hands. The 50th’s overseas service in World War I was in the Army of Occupation in the Rhine country indicated by the pale with wavy edges. It had been under orders for Silesia at the time of the Armistice.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 50th Armored Infantry Regiment on 14 October 1942. It was redesignated for the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion on 10 November 1943. The insignia was redesignated for the 50th Infantry Regiment on 25 November 1958.
Argent, on a pale wavy Azure a dolphin hauriant embowed of the field, on a canton of the second the totem pole of the 23d Infantry Proper.
On a wreath of the colors an eagle’s head erased Sable, beaked and langued Gules (of the Rhine Province). Motto: PLAY THE GAME.
The Regiment was organized in 1917 at Syracuse, New York, by drafts of personnel from the 23rd Infantry
. The shield is white and blue for Infantry. The device of Syracuse is a dolphin. The parentage of the Regiment is indicated in the canton. The 23d took over Alaska in 1867 and this is commemorated by the crest of that Regiment which is an eagle, the new owner America, upon a plate which is upon the head of a bear, the old owner Russia, the story being that the old owner gave a feast to the new owner when the country changed hands. The 50th’s overseas service in World War I was in the Army of Occupation in the Rhine country indicated by the pale with wavy edges. It had been under orders for Silesia at the time of the Armistice.
The crest is the eagle’s head of the two provinces of Rhine and Silesia.
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 50th Infantry Regiment on 11 April 1922. It was redesignated for the 50th Armored Infantry Regiment on 7 August 1942. It was redesignated for the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion on 10 November 1943. The insignia was redesignated for the 50th Infantry Regiment on 25 November 1958.
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...
infantry regiment.
Lineage
- Constituted 15 May 1917 in the Regular Army as the 50th Infantry.
- Organized 1 June 1917 at Syracuse, New York.
- Assigned 31 July 1918 to the 20th Division.
- Relieved 28 February 1919 from assignment to the 20th Division.
- Inactivated 31 December 1921 in Germany.
- Demobilized 31 July 1922.
- Reconstituted 8 January 1942 in the Regular Army as the 50th Armored Infantry and assigned to the 6th Armored Division.
- Activated 15 February 1942 at Fort KnoxFort KnoxFort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, Kentucky. - Regiment broken up 20 September 1943 and its elements reorganized and redesignated as elements of the 6th Armored Division as follows:
- 50th Armored Infantry (less 1st and 2d Battalions) as the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion
- 1st Battalion as the 44th Armored Infantry Battalion
- 2d Battalion as the 9th Armored Infantry Battalion
- After 20 September 1943 the above units underwent changes as follows:
- 50th and 9th Armored Infantry Battalions inactivated 18 September 1945 at Camp ShanksCamp ShanksCamp Shanks, named after Major General David Carey Shanks was a United States Army installation in and around Orangeburg in the Town of Orangetown, New York. Situated near the juncture of the Erie Railroad and the Hudson River, it served as a point of embarkation for troops departing overseas...
, New York
- 50th and 9th Armored Infantry Battalions inactivated 18 September 1945 at Camp Shanks
- Activated 5 September 1950 at Fort Leonard WoodFort Leonard Wood (military base)Fort Leonard Wood is a United States Army installation located in the Missouri Ozarks. The main gate is located on the southern boundary of St. Robert. The post was created in December 1940 and named in honor of General Leonard Wood, former Chief of Staff, in January 1941...
, Missouri. - Inactivated 16 March 1956 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
- Relieved 1 July 1957 from assignment to the 6th Armored Division.
- 50th, 44th, and 9th Armored Infantry Battalions consolidated 1 July 1959 to form the 50th Infantry, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System.
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1963 as the 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry.
- Relieved 1 September 1967 from assignment to the 2d Armored Division.
- Assigned 16 December 1970 to the 2d Armored Division.
- Inactivated 27 January 1983 at Fort Hood, Texas and relieved from assignment to the 2d Armored Division.
- Withdrawn 28 August 1987 from the Combat Arms Regimental System, reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System, and transferred to the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command with Headquarters at Fort BenningFort BenningFort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, Georgia.
In addition to the 1st Battalion, the separate Company E (Long Range Patrol), 50th Infantry, was active with the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam. Also, Company F (LRP), 50th Infantry, was active in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division.
Campaign participation credit
- World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
- NormandyNormandyNormandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
- Northern France
- RhinelandRhinelandHistorically, the Rhinelands refers to a loosely-defined region embracing the land on either bank of the River Rhine in central Europe....
- ArdennesArdennesThe Ardennes is a region of extensive forests, rolling hills and ridges formed within the Givetian Ardennes mountain range, primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg, but stretching into France , and geologically into the Eifel...
-AlsaceAlsaceAlsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²... - Central EuropeCentral EuropeCentral Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
- Normandy
- Vietnam
- 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
- Consolidation I
- Consolidation II
- Cease-Fire
Vietnam War Memorial
"In remembrance of those killed while serving with the 1st Battalion, 50th United States Infantry Regiment during the War in Vietnam. 1967-1970. May God have mercy on their souls and grant them peace."Decorations
- Valorous Unit AwardValorous Unit AwardThe 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 BINH DUONG PROVINCE, French - Croix de GuerreCroix de guerreThe Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
with Palm, World War II, Streamer embroidered BREST - Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968-1969
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969-1970
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969-1970
- Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969-1970
50th Infantry Regiment Motto
The unit's motto "Play the Game" was taken from "Vitai Lampada" ("They Pass On The Torch of Life"), a poem written in 1892 by Sir Henry Newbolt (1862–1938).Distinctive Unit Insignia
- Description
A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Argent, on a pale wavy Azure a dolphin hauriant embowed of the field, on a canton of the second the totem pole of the 23d Infantry Tenné. Attached below the shield a Silver scroll inscribed “PLAY THE GAME” in Blue letters.
- Symbolism
The Regiment was organized in 1917 at Syracuse, New York, by drafts of personnel from the 23d Infantry. The shield is white and blue for Infantry. The device of Syracuse is a dolphin. The parentage of the Regiment is indicated in the canton. The 23d took over Alaska in 1867 and this is commemorated by the crest of that Regiment which is an eagle, the new owner America, upon a plate which is upon the head of a bear, the old owner Russia, the story being that the old owner gave a feast to the new owner when the country changed hands. The 50th’s overseas service in World War I was in the Army of Occupation in the Rhine country indicated by the pale with wavy edges. It had been under orders for Silesia at the time of the Armistice.
- Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 50th Armored Infantry Regiment on 14 October 1942. It was redesignated for the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion on 10 November 1943. The insignia was redesignated for the 50th Infantry Regiment on 25 November 1958.
Blazon
- Shield
Argent, on a pale wavy Azure a dolphin hauriant embowed of the field, on a canton of the second the totem pole of the 23d Infantry Proper.
- Crest
On a wreath of the colors an eagle’s head erased Sable, beaked and langued Gules (of the Rhine Province). Motto: PLAY THE GAME.
- Symbolism
- Shield
The Regiment was organized in 1917 at Syracuse, New York, by drafts of personnel from the 23rd Infantry
23rd Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 23rd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army originally formed on June 26th 1812. The 23rd saw action in 14 battles during the War of 1812...
. The shield is white and blue for Infantry. The device of Syracuse is a dolphin. The parentage of the Regiment is indicated in the canton. The 23d took over Alaska in 1867 and this is commemorated by the crest of that Regiment which is an eagle, the new owner America, upon a plate which is upon the head of a bear, the old owner Russia, the story being that the old owner gave a feast to the new owner when the country changed hands. The 50th’s overseas service in World War I was in the Army of Occupation in the Rhine country indicated by the pale with wavy edges. It had been under orders for Silesia at the time of the Armistice.
- Crest
The crest is the eagle’s head of the two provinces of Rhine and Silesia.
- Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 50th Infantry Regiment on 11 April 1922. It was redesignated for the 50th Armored Infantry Regiment on 7 August 1942. It was redesignated for the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion on 10 November 1943. The insignia was redesignated for the 50th Infantry Regiment on 25 November 1958.