31st Infantry Regiment (United States)

31st Infantry Regiment (United States)
Unit name	31st Infantry Regiment
Caption	Coat of arms
Dates	1916–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Regiment
Nickname	"The Polar Bears"
Motto	"Pro Patria" (For Country)
Battles	World War I, Siberian Intervention, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Iraqi Freedom
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation (2), Valorous Unit Award, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Identification symbol label	Distinctive unit insignia

31st Infantry Regiment (United States). The 31st Infantry Regiment is a distinguished unit of the United States Army, first constituted in 1916. Nicknamed "The Polar Bears," the regiment earned its moniker during service in the Siberian Intervention following World War I. It has participated in numerous major conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, building a legacy of resilience and combat effectiveness.

History

The regiment was constituted on July 1, 1916, in the Regular Army at Fort William McKinley in the Philippines. Its initial cadre was drawn from personnel of the 8th, 13th, 15th, and 27th Infantry Regiments. Following the American entry into World War I, the 31st deployed to the Russian Far East in 1918 as part of the American Expeditionary Force, Siberia. There, it fought Bolshevik forces in harsh conditions around Vladivostok and along the Trans-Siberian Railway, an experience that solidified its "Polar Bears" identity. The regiment returned to garrison duty at Manila in 1920, where it remained until the outbreak of World War II.

World War II

During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the 31st Infantry was a key component of the US Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) defense. It fought in the Battle of Bataan and the subsequent Battle of the Points. After the fall of Bataan in April 1942, most of the regiment endured the brutal Bataan Death March and years as prisoners of war under the Imperial Japanese Army. The regiment was officially declared lost in 1942 but was reconstituted in 1946. It was later credited with participation in the New Guinea campaign and the Battle of Leyte as part of the 24th Infantry Division.

Korean War

The 31st Infantry saw extensive and brutal combat during the Korean War as part of the 7th Infantry Division. It participated in the Battle of Inchon, the advance into North Korea, and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. At Chosin, the regiment's 3rd Battalion was famously surrounded and fought its way out against overwhelming People's Volunteer Army forces, an action for which it later received a Presidential Unit Citation. The regiment also fought in pivotal battles like the Battle of Pork Chop Hill during the latter stages of the stalemated war.

Vietnam War and later service

During the Vietnam War, the regiment's 4th Battalion served with the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) from 1967 to 1971. It operated primarily in Quảng Ngãi Province and Quảng Tín Province, engaging in operations such as Operation Wheeler/Wallowa. In the post-Vietnam War era, battalions of the 31st were assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea and later to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. Elements deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom, with the 2nd Battalion serving in Baghdad and Al Anbar Governorate from 2004 to 2005.

Campaign participation credit

*World War I: Without inscription (Siberian service) *World War II: Philippine Islands, New Guinea, Leyte *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 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 *War on Terror: Iraqi Governance, National Resolution

Decorations

*Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for BATAAN *Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for CHOSIN RESERVOIR *Valorous Unit Award for AL ANBAR PROVINCE *Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for 17 OCTOBER 1941 TO 4 JULY 1942 *Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for INCHON *Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for KOREA 1950–1953

Category:Infantry regiments of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1916