102nd Infantry Regiment (United States)

102nd Infantry Regiment (United States)
US Army. · Public domain · source
Unit name	102nd Infantry Regiment
Caption	Distinctive unit insignia
Dates	1672–present (lineage)
Country	United States
Branch	Connecticut National Guard
Type	Infantry
Role	Light infantry
Size	Regiment
Garrison	New Haven, Connecticut
Nickname	"Second Connecticut"
Motto	"Hora Incerta" ("The Hour Is Uncertain")
Battles	American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican–American War, American Civil War, Spanish–American War, World War I, World War II
Notable commanders	Winthrop Sargent, John Trumbull, Edward Fitzgerald Beale

102nd Infantry Regiment (United States) is an infantry regiment of the Connecticut National Guard with colonial roots tracing to 17th‑century militia companies. Its lineage links engagements from the King Philip's War era through modern National Guard missions, reflecting service in continental campaigns such as Gettysburg Campaign, overseas deployments during World War I and World War II, and postwar reorganizations under the National Defense Act of 1920 and later force structure initiatives.

History

The regiment's antecedents began as Connecticut militia companies in the 1600s active during Pequot War and King Philip's War, evolving through the colonial period into organized militia regiments under the Connecticut Colony and later the State of Connecticut. Members served in the American Revolutionary War at engagements associated with commanders like Nathan Hale and units that participated around New Haven, Connecticut. During the 19th century, descendants of the regiment saw action in the War of 1812 maritime defenses, the Mexican–American War volunteer contingents, and the American Civil War where Connecticut regiments fought in the Overland Campaign and Siege of Petersburg. The unit provided volunteers for the Spanish–American War and underwent federal service activations during both World Wars, aligning with divisions such as the 26th Infantry Division and later in National Guard structures tied to the 42nd Infantry Division and 43rd Infantry Division.

Organization and Lineage

Organizationally, the regiment traces lineage through militia companies consolidated into numbered regiments after the Militia Act of 1792 and later formalized under the Militia Act of 1903. Elements were designated as the 1st Connecticut Volunteer Infantry in various conflicts and reorganized into the 102nd Regiment during the National Defense Act of 1916 reforms. The unit's federal recognition and state designation shifted through the interwar period, World War II federalization, postwar allotment to the Connecticut National Guard, and reconfiguration under the Combat Arms Regimental System and later the United States Army Regimental System. Subordinate elements have included battalions and companies stationed at armories in New Haven, Hartford, and Bridgeport, and have been assigned to brigades within division structures such as the 26th Infantry Division and 43rd Infantry Division at different times.

World War I

During World War I, the regiment was mobilized for federal service and served as part of American Expeditionary Forces formations, deploying personnel to the Western Front. Soldiers from the regiment were integrated into units participating in major campaigns connected to the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the Aisne-Marne Offensive, and operations coordinated with the French Fourth Army and British Expeditionary Force. The regiment's companies provided replacements and formed service elements supporting divisions including the 26th Infantry Division and other National Guard-derived formations that fought alongside the First United States Army in combined operations with Allied Powers.

World War II

In World War II, the regiment was federalized and its battalions were reorganized for either cadre duty or overseas combat service; elements served in the Pacific theater in campaigns tied to amphibious operations, island campaigns, and garrison responsibilities in areas under commands such as United States Army Pacific and South West Pacific Area. Personnel from the regiment participated in operations connected to the Guam campaign (1944), the Philippines campaign (1944–45), and logistic support for Operation Cartwheel-related advances. The regiment's reassignments reflect broader National Guard integration into Army divisions including the 43rd Infantry Division and coordination with United States Marine Corps and United States Navy amphibious forces.

Postwar Service and National Guard Role

After 1945, the regiment underwent multiple reorganizations under Cold War force posture, contributing companies and battalions to state emergency response, civil defense tasks, and overseas deployments during contingencies such as the Korean War mobilizations and later Vietnam War era augmentation programs. Under the United States Army Regimental System, the regiment provided lineage continuity as Connecticut National Guard units served in peacekeeping, homeland security, and overseas operations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The regiment's elements have been employed for domestic disaster relief after events like Hurricane Sandy and in partnership exercises with National Guard Bureau initiatives and interstate compacts such as the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Decorations and Campaign Streamers

The regiment and its subordinate units have received campaign streamers and decorations reflecting service in colonial conflicts, 19th‑century wars, both World Wars, and modern operations. Recognitions include campaign credits for Revolutionary War actions around New Haven, Civil War campaigns including Gettysburg Campaign, World War I streamers for the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and Aisne-Marne Offensive, and World War II streamers tied to Pacific campaigns such as Guam and the Philippines. Unit decorations at battalion or company level have been awarded by authorities including the Department of the Army, with some elements entitled to foreign awards coordinated through Allied military decorations for combined operations.

Category:Infantry regiments of the United States Army National Guard Category:Military units and formations in Connecticut