187th Infantry Regiment (United States)

World War II and aftermath The regiment was originally constituted as the 187th Glider Infantry Regiment on 12 November 1942, and activated on 23 February 1943 at Camp Mackall, North Carolina. It was originally a two battalion glider regiment assigned to the 11th Airborne Division, the men of the 187th trained both as glider and parachute troops. They moved to Camp Polk on 9 January 1944 for glider training. The regiment staged at Camp Stoneman, California on 29 April 1944, and departed from the San Francisco Port of Embarkation on 6 May 1944. The regiment arrived in New Guinea on 29 May 1944 and joined the New Guinea Campaign. The regiment departed New Guinea on 11 November 1944, and arrived on Leyte on 18 November 1944 to join the Leyte Campaign. The regiment left Leyte, and joined the Luzon Campaign by assaulting Nasugbu Point Luzon on 31 January 1945, blocking Japanese forces as part of the advance on Manila from the south. From then until April 1945, the 187th fought their way from Nichols Field, Fort William McKinley, and Manila to Mount Macolod and Malepunyo. In May 1945, the 187th moved into Lipa to refit, rebuild, and prepare for Operation Downfall, the planned invasion of Japan. At this time, the 3rd Battalion was formed and the regiment was redesignated a para-glider regiment. The regiment was attached to the Provost Marshal General, U.S. Army Forces Far East from 1 June 1945 through 27 July 1945 at Manila. The campaigns in the Philippines were declared completed on 4 July 1945, and the regiment moved to Okinawa on 12 August 1945 for occupation duty. This is where the unit gained its name; , which means "Parachute" in Japanese, when it was the only unit to parachute onto Japanese soil at the time. With soldiers landing in close proximity to local landmarks featuring toriis the 187th adopted the torii as an unofficial part of the unit identity. After the war ended on 14 August 1945, the regiment subsequently moved to Japan on 30 August 1945, and was alleged to be the first foreign ground combat unit to enter that nation. In April 1949, the regiment returned to the United States and was stationed at what was then Camp Campbell, Kentucky. Four members of the 187th were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in the Korean War: Corporal Lester Hammond, Jr.(KIA), Corporal Rodolfo P. Hernandez, Corporal Joe R. Baldonado(KIA) and Private First Class Richard G. Wilson(KIA). The 1950s and early 1960s were a turbulent time for the Rakkasans, they returned to the US in 1955, this time to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Assignments in South Vietnam The 3-187th Infantry's exploits from 10 to 20 May 1969 on hill 937 in the A Shau Valley were depicted in a 1987 movie using the hill's nickname Hamburger Hill as the title. For this action the unit received the Presidential Unit Citation. Post Vietnam When the 101st returned from Viet Nam, most of its personnel in the rank of staff sergeant and below were discharged upon arrival at Oakland, California, or Seattle, Washington. What remained largely consisted of a command group of staff officers and senior NCOs. The division settled into buildings recently vacated by the "U.S. Army Training Center, Fort Campbell, Kentucky." When the 101st was rebuilt, the separate 173d Airborne Brigade was inactivated and its assets used to form the 3d Brigade as an airborne unit consisting of 1–503d INF, 2–503d INF, and 3–187th INF. The partial airborne capability also extended to supporting units of the division. This lasted only until April 1974 when The Airmobile Badge (renamed Air Assault Badge later that year) was introduced. In October 1983 the 1st, 2d, and 4th Battalions, 187th Infantry, were activated, and on 21 November 1984 a 5th Battalion was activated. The 1st and 2d Battalions were assigned to the 193rd Infantry Brigade in Panama and the 3d, 4th and 5th were assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell. The 4th and 5th were created by reflagging the existing 1–503d and 2–503d, the colors of which were soon reactivated in Korea within the 2nd Infantry Division (United States). The Panama-based 2–187th included one airborne company (Moatengators) within the battalion, and later jump status was expanded to the entire battalion. 2-187th was the last airborne battalion of the 187th. During a realignment of the United States Army's combat forces in 1987 the 1st and 2d Battalions were inactivated and the 5th and 4th Battalions were reflagged as the 1st and 2d Battalions, respectively. From July 1984 to January, 1985, the 4th Battalion, reorganized at TF-4-187 (Rakkasan Raiders) deployed to the Sinai Desert, Egypt as the United States' contingent of the Multinational Force and Observers peacekeeping mission. From September 1988 through March 1989, 1st Battalion reorganized as Task Force 1–187 and deployed to the Sinai Desert, Egypt as the United States' contingent of the Multinational Force and Observers peacekeeping mission. Gulf War In September 1990 the Rakkasans were deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield. In February 1991 two companies from the 1st Battalion captured 434 Iraqi soldiers during the air assault into Objective Weber and on 25 February the Rakkasans conducted the deepest and largest air assault operation in history. Striking behind enemy lines into the Euphrates river valley, the assault led to the timely defeat of Iraqi forces and contributed to a total allied victory. The unit moved farther north than any other unit during Operation Desert Storm. Between Gulf War and GWOT From 1991 to 1993 the 3-187 was commanded by Lt. Colonel (later General) David H. Petraeus who renamed the battalion the "Iron Rakkasans" after the physical training test he created. CSM Donald Purdy was the Battalion Command Sergeant Major during this time. In 1995 the Iron Rakkasans battalion was organized as Task Force 3-187 and deployed to the Sinai Peninsula in July 1995. The Iron Rakkasans were responsible for the southern portion of Zone C and based at South Camp, Sharm el Sheik, Egypt. During the deployment, they were instrumental in the recovery of casualties from an accident near one of the sector control centers and evacuating them to hospitals utilizing Multinational Forces Helicopters. On 23 November 1995, the 7.3 Gulf of Aqaba earthquake hit the Sinai Peninsula. Again the Iron Rakkasans performed road recon and rescue operations throughout the peninsula. The Iron Rakkasans earned an Army Superior Unit Award for their actions during the deployment. The unit returned to the United States in January 1996. In September 1996, elements of Raider Rakkasan (2nd Battalion), Alpha Co. "Blackhawks", Charlie Co. "Hard Rock", and Bravo Co. "Warriors", 2nd Battalion deployed to Saudi Arabia through April 1997 in support of Operation Desert Focus, providing force protection for U.S. personnel in support of U.S. air assets in Saudi Arabia relocated from Dhahran and from Riyadh to the remote Prince Sultan Air Base, Camp Eagle Town II. The move's purpose was force protection, and came in the wake of the 25 June 1996 terrorist bombing at Khobar Towers which killed 19 airmen and wounded many more. U.S. and Saudi Arabian officials agreed to split the $200 million cost of relocating more than 4,000 US troops. Some 2nd Battalion soldiers were awarded the combat infantryman's badge, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the unit was awarded the Army Superior Unit Award. LTC Twomey was the battalion commander. Elements of 1/187th, deployed to Saudi, were part of Operation Desert Eagle, From Sept. to Dec. 1997. From February 2000 through August 2000 1-187 deployed to Kosovo for peacekeeping operations as a part of Task Force Falcon in support of Operation Joint Guardian. Afghanistan and Iraq In 2001–2002, following the attacks of 9–11, the Rakkasans deployed to Afghanistan as Task Force Rakkasan under the command of Colonel (later Lieutenant General) Frank Wiercinski in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where they most notably participated in Operation Anaconda in the eastern Shah-i-Khot region. The 2d Battalion (Raider Rakkasans) as well as Companies B,C, and D, 1st Battalion (Leader Rakkasan), were awarded the Valorous Unit Award for combat valor during this period. In 2003, the Rakkasans, commanded by Colonel Mike Linnington, were deployed for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry was temporarily attached to the 3rd Infantry Division and accompanied them during the push into Baghdad. While attached to the 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Battalion cleared the Republican Guard headquarters and Baghdad International Airport in April 2003. For this action the battalion earned an unprecedented fifth Presidential Unit Citation. Following the invasion, 3d Battalion conducted six months of security operations near Rabia, Iraq, on the Syrian border, to block the flow of foreign fighters. Prior to returning stateside in February 2004 the Iron Rakkasans conducted combat operations in Husaybah, Iraq with the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. Once back in the US the battalion added a forward support company. helicopter after conducting a search for weapons caches in Albu Issa, Iraq. Before moving north to Ninawa Governorate (province), the Rakkasans conducted extensive stability and support operations in Baghdad's southeast sector. The Rakkasans conducted the majority of their operations in the northwest of Ninevah province with the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry focusing efforts around Tallafar, Zumar, and Avgani. The 2d Battalion, 187th Infantry worked primarily around Sinjar and Baji, and the 3d Battalion was headquartered in Rabia. They returned to Fort Campbell in 2004 and redeployed to Iraq again in the fall of 2005. During their second tour in Iraq, they focused operations in Salah ad Din province, with the 3d Battalion. The brigade commander was Colonel Michael D. Steele. During this deployment that the brigade conducted "Operation Swarmer", one of the largest combat operations in Iraq since the initial invasion. Rakkasans worked with Iraqi Army soldiers throughout Salah ad Din province defeating insurgents, al-Qaeda cells, and uncovering numerous caches of weapons and explosives. In October 2007 the Rakkasans again deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09 led by brigade commander Col. Dominic Caraccilo. The brigade was headquartered at Camp Striker near Baghdad with an area of operation that extended from the Euphrates river in the west to the Tigris in the east and ran south from Baghdad to Al-Mahmudiyah. This area included the Triangle of Death which had seen significant violence in the war and was often a staging area for the insurgency. As a unit following the surge, the Rakkasans manned combat outposts throughout the rural areas to provide local security for the populace, partner with Iraqi defense and police forces, and facilitate numerous economic and developmental projects. When the Rakkasans redeployed to Fort Campbell at the end of their tour in November 2008, they did not transfer authority to an incoming U.S. military unit. Instead, the area became the responsibility of the partnered Iraqi forces marking a significant step in the transference of security and authority from coalition forces to the Iraqis. In January 2010, the Rakkasans, now commanded by COL Viet Luong, again deployed to Regional Command East in Afghanistan for a 12-month deployment, where it received the Valorous Unit Award while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Ghazni, Paktya, Paktika and Khowst Provinces in Eastern Afghanistan during the period 1 April 2010 to 31 August 2010. Task Force Rakkasan consisted of the following units: • Headquarters, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division • 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment • 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment • 3d Battalion 320th Field Artillery Regiment • 1st Squadron, 33d Cavalry Regiment • 626th Support Battalion • Special Troops Battalion, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division • 3d Battalion, 172d Infantry Regiment (Task Force Avalanche) • Company B, 2d Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment • 92d Military Police Company • 615th Military Police Company (1 April 2010 - 30 April 2010) • Provincial Reconstruction Team Paktika (Provisional) • Provincial Reconstruction Team Paktiya (Provisional) • Provincial Reconstruction Team Khost (Provisional) • Agribusiness Development Team (Provisional), Oklahoma Army National Guard • Agribusiness Development Team (Provisional), Indiana Army National Guard On 6 September 2016, the U.S. Army announced it would deploy about 1,400 soldiers from 3d Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan in fall 2016 in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel – the U.S. counter-terrorism operation against the remnants of al-Qaeda, ISIS–K and other terror groups. Senior leadership referred to the 3d Brigade Combat Team as being exceptional. Brig. Gen. Scott Brower stated that the Rakkasans are trained, well-led, and prepared to accomplish any mission given to them. ==Heraldry, lineage, and honors==

Coat of arms • Shield: Azure on a pale nebuly Argent a double handed sword erect Gules. • Crest: On a wreath Argent and Azure between a Japanese city symbol Gules and a mullet of seven points per fess wavy of the last and of the second, a sea lion Or charged on the shoulder with a heart Purpure and holding in his dexter paw a sword bendwise of the first with hilt and pommel of the fourth the blade notched three times to base of the third. • Motto: (Let Valor Not Fail). The symbolism includes: Slang term : Angels From Hell, For retired insignia. • Shield: • Blue is for the Infantry. • The partition line of the pale heraldically representing clouds and the doubled-handed sword, an ancient infantry weapon, symbolizes the character of the organization as an Airborne Infantry unit. • Crest: The golden seal lion, adapted from the seal of the president of the Philippines, represents the award of the Philippine Presidential Unit Streamer for the campaign on Manarawat, scene of the first combat jump of the 187th. • The heart on the lion's shoulder points out the action on Purple Heart Hill. • The winged sword with three notches in the blade signifies the unit's score of three combat jumps, one in the Philippines and two in Korea. • The red diamond shape is the insignia of the city of Yokohama, Japan, where the 187th landed as the first American combat troops and began four years of occupation duty. • The seven-pointed star, divided in the manner of the Korean Taeguk stands for the unit's seven campaigns in that country. The coat of arms was originally approved on 15 December 1952 for the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. It was redesignated for the 187th Infantry Regiment on 7 February 1958. Helmet insignia Members of the 187th have informally worn torii patches or designs on their helmets in honor of the unit's parachuting into Japan. Lineage • Regiment Constituted 12 November 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 187th Glider Infantry Regiment. • Assigned 25 February 1943 to the 11th Airborne Division and activated at Camp Mackall, North Carolina. • Allotted 15 November 1948 to the Regular Army. • Reorganized and redesignated 30 June 1949 as the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment • Reorganized as the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team on 1 August 1950 and posted to Japan where it served in the Korean War • Relieved 1 February 1951 from assignment to the 11th Airborne Division. • Regiment assigned 1 July 1956 to the 101st Airborne Division. • Company A reorganized and redesignated 1 March 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Airborne Battle Group, 187th Infantry, relieved from assignment to the 101st Airborne Division, and assigned to the 11th Airborne Division (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated). • On 25 April 1957, the following actions took place: • Regimental Headquarters relieved from assignment to the 101st Airborne Division; concurrently reorganized and redesignated as the 187th Infantry, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System. • Company B reorganized and redesignated Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Airborne Battle Group, 187th Infantry, and remained assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated) • Company C inactivated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and relieved from assignment to the 101st Airborne Division; concurrently redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Airborne Battle Group, 187th Infantry • 1st Airborne Battle Group relieved 1 July 1958 from assignment to the 11th Airborne Division and assigned to the 24th Infantry Division. • 1st Airborne Battle Group relieved 8 February 1959 from assignment to the 24th Infantry Division, and assigned to the 82d Airborne Division. • HHC 3d Airborne Battle Group redesignated 1 February 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, and assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division (organic elements concurrently constituted) • 3d Battalion activated 7 February 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia. • The following actions took place on 1 February 1964: • 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment constituted and activated at Fort Benning, Georgia, as an element of the 11th Air Assault Division. • 2d Airborne Battle Group relieved from assignment to the 101st Airborne Division. • 3d Battalion relieved from assignment to the 11th Air Assault Division and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. • 2d Airborne Battle Group inactivated 3 February 1964 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. • 1st Airborne Battle Group inactivated 25 May 1964 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; concurrently consolidated with the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry, and consolidated unit designated as the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry, an element of the 11th Air Assault Division (later redesignated as the 11th Airborne Division) • On 1 October 1983, the following actions took place: • 187th Infantry Regiment Regiment withdrawn from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System • HHC 1st Battalion relieved from assignment to the 11th Airborne Division, assigned to the 193rd Infantry Brigade, and activated in Panama. • HHC 2d Airborne Battle Group redesignated as HHC 2d Battalion, 187th Infantry, assigned to the 193d Infantry Brigade, and activated in Panama • 1st Battalion inactivated 1 May 1987 in Panama and relieved from assignment to the 193d Infantry Brigade. • 2d Battalion inactivated 10 July 1987 in Panama and relieved from assignment to the 193d Infantry Brigade. • On 16 September 1987, the following actions took place: • 1st Battalion activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and assigned to 101st Airborne Division. • 2d Battalion activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and assigned to 101st Airborne Division. • On 16 September 2004, 1st Battalion and 3d Battalion were relieved from assignment to the 101st Airborne Division and assigned to the 3d Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. • On 1 October 2005, the following actions took place: • 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry redesignated as the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment • 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry redesignated as the 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment Campaign participation credit • World War II: • New Guinea; • Leyte; • Luzon (with arrowhead) • Korean War: • UN Offensive (with arrowhead); • CCF Intervention; • First UN Counteroffensive (with arrowhead); • CCF Spring Offensive; • Korea, Summer-Fall 1952; • Korea, Summer 1953 • Vietnam War: • 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 • Southwest Asia War (Gulf War): • Defense of Saudi Arabia; • Liberation and Defense of Kuwait Decorations The 187th is one the most highly decorated units in the United States Army. Its unit awards include the following: • Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for: • TAGAYTAY RIDGE • SUKCHON • TRANG BANG • DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN • OIF 1 • Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) for: • INCHON • Valorous Unit Award for: • BINH DUONG PROVINCE • THUA THIEN PROVINCE • OPERATION ANACONDA (OEF 1) • GHAZNI, PAKTYA, PAKTIKA, AND KHOWST PROVINCE (OEF 4) • PAKTYA, PAKTIKA, AND KHOST PROVINCE (OEF 10/11) • Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for: • VIETNAM 1968 • SOUTHWEST ASIA • OIF 1 • Army Superior Unit Award for 1995–1996 • Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for 17 October 1944 to 4 July 1945. • Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for: • KOREA 1950–1952 • KOREA 1952–1953 ==Notable members==

• GEN William Westmoreland, commanded the Rakkasans during the Korean War from November 1952 to 1953, and later commanded Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) and served as Chief of Staff of the US Army • GEN David Petraeus, former 3rd Battalion commander, later Director of CIA • GEN Melvin Zais, commanded the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam • GEN Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr., leader of coalition forces during Gulf War briefly executive officer of a company in 1950s • LTG Robert L. Caslen, Jr., Rakkasan combat vet from the First Gulf War later Superintendent of the United States Military Academy • COL Michael D. Steele, Former 187th commander, commanded Ranger company during the Battle of Mogadishu. • LTC Ronald Speirs, former company commander of E Co, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, served as a rifle company commander with the 187th Regimental Combat Team during Operation: Tomahawk • MAJ Pete Hegseth, served with the 3rd Battalion from 2004 to 2005 as an Infantry Platoon Leader, later 29th Secretary of Defense • CPT Paul W. Bucha, Medal of Honor (Vietnam) • SMA George W. Dunaway, second Sergeant Major of the Army, was sergeant major of the 187th from 1954 to 1960 • SGM Eric J Geressy (Iraq) Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star Medal, Three Bronze Star Medals, and the Army Commendation Medal for Valor • MSG Albert Blithe, WWII member of 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, portrayed in the TV-series Band of Brothers • CPL Lester Hammond, Jr., Medal of Honor (Korea) • LTC Charles Lockie, Silver and Bronze Star (Korea) • CPL Rodolfo P. Hernandez, Medal of Honor (Korea) • SPC Ryan A. Conklin, reality TV star and author of An Angel From Hell which chronicled A Co. 3/187th Infantry during the Iraq deployment of 2005–2006. • PFC Richard G. Wilson, Medal of Honor (Korea) • PFC Stephen Flemmi, Silver Star (Korea), later became Winter Hill Gang member then and FBI informant • SPC Deric L. Hernandez, Awarded Army Commendation Medal for Valor (Iraq). ==In popular culture==

• The "Rakkasans" are portrayed in the 1987 film Hamburger Hill. • The 187th AIR is also portrayed in the 2003 film Big Fish. Ewan McGregor's character returns home from the Korean War wearing the 187 Airborne Infantry Regiment patch. ==See also==