15th Infantry Regiment

15th Infantry Regiment
Unit name	15th Infantry Regiment
Caption	Distinctive unit insignia
Dates	1798–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light infantry, mechanized infantry
Size	Regiment
Command structure	United States Army Regimental System
Garrison	Fort Benning, Fort Riley, Fort Lewis
Nickname	"The Old China Hands", "Triple Nickles"
Motto	"Can Do"
Notable commanders	Winfield Scott, John Sedgwick, Lewis A. Pick

15th Infantry Regiment is a historic infantry regiment of the United States Army with service spanning from the 18th century through contemporary operations. The regiment has participated in multiple conflicts including the War of 1812, the American Civil War, the Indian Wars, the Spanish–American War, both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and 21st-century operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has been assigned to a variety of divisions, brigades, and commands such as the 3rd Infantry Division, the 25th Infantry Division, and the 82nd Airborne Division during different periods.

History

The regiment was first constituted during the Quasi-War era and later reconstituted under leaders like President John Adams and President Thomas Jefferson. In the early 19th century the regiment saw action along the frontiers during the Barbary Wars and sustained deployments associated with the Louisiana Purchase expeditions led by figures including Meriwether Lewis. During the War of 1812 elements engaged British forces, and officers served under commanders such as William Henry Harrison and Andrew Jackson. In the antebellum era the regiment participated in campaigns against various Native American nations during the Second Seminole War and operations linked to the Indian Removal Act era.

During the American Civil War the regiment fought in major theaters, associating with commanders like Ulysses S. Grant and George B. McClellan in campaigns overlapping the Peninsula Campaign and the Battle of Antietam. Postwar service included duty in reconstruction-era occupations and participation in the Spanish–American War under leaders such as Theodore Roosevelt's contemporaries. In the 20th century the regiment deployed to Europe and the Pacific in World War I and World War II, integrating into campaigns coordinated with Allied commands like the British Expeditionary Force and Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. Cold War alignments placed battalions in garrisons tied to the NATO posture and Asia-Pacific commitments, leading into combat in Korea and extensive service in Vietnam.

Organization and Structure

The regiment has historically been organized into multiple battalions, companies, and detachments aligned under regimental headquarters and higher echelons such as the United States Army Europe and United States Army Pacific. Organizational changes followed reforms like the Pentomic reorganization and the adoption of the Combat Arms Regimental System before transition to the United States Army Regimental System. Subordinate elements have been attached to divisions including the 1st Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, and the 25th Infantry Division, and to independent brigades such as the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Administrative control has shifted among posts including Fort Riley, Fort Benning, and Fort Lewis as Army basing priorities evolved.

Battalion-level structure typically comprised a headquarters and headquarters company, multiple rifle companies, heavy weapons or weapons companies, and support elements coordinating with corps-level assets like III Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps. The regiment incorporated mechanized infantry platforms tied to units employing M1 Abrams maneuver doctrine and light infantry task forces optimized for airborne and air assault operations coordinated with XVIII Airborne Corps and 1st Cavalry Division air mobility concepts.

Combat Operations and Campaigns

The regiment's campaign credits include actions from the War of 1812, major Civil War battles, frontier campaigns such as the Sioux Wars, the Philippine–American War, and the Boxer Rebellion in China where elements served alongside British Army and other allied contingents. In World War I the regiment operated in theaters tied to the American Expeditionary Forces and in World War II fought in European and Pacific campaigns that intersected with operations by Eisenhower's Supreme Command and Douglas MacArthur's Southwest Pacific Area.

Cold War and post‑Cold War combat saw battalions engage in the Korean War under United Nations command led by figures like Douglas MacArthur and Matthew Ridgway, and in Vietnam War operations coordinated with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Recent combat deployments include rotations to the Iraq War during the Operation Iraqi Freedom timeline and to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, working with formations such as Multi-National Force – Iraq and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.

Notable Commanders and Personnel

Prominent commanders and personnel associated with the regiment include 19th-century leaders like Winfield Scott and Civil War-era figures including John Sedgwick. 20th-century commanders and alumni have included officers who later served in senior positions within Department of Defense, United States Central Command, and NATO, as well as decorated soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Silver Star. The regiment's ranks have produced leaders who participated in interwar planning at institutions such as the Command and General Staff College and the National War College.

Unit Honors and Decorations

The regiment has earned campaign streamers and unit citations from conflicts including the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish–American War, both World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam. Decorations awarded to regimental elements include unit-level Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, and foreign honors bestowed by allied governments such as awards from France and South Korea. Individual soldiers from the regiment have received the Medal of Honor and other valor awards for actions during major engagements like the Battle of the Bulge and operations in Iraq.

Heraldry and Traditions

Regimental heraldry features distinctive insignia, a coat of arms, and colors reflecting service in campaigns like the Mexican–American War, the Philippine Insurrection, and the World Wars. Traditions include regimental marches, commemorations of historic battle anniversaries such as Gettysburg and commemorative events tied to postings at Fort Benning and other installations. The regiment maintains lineage custodianship under the United States Army Center of Military History and participates in ceremonies alongside units from the Joint Chiefs of Staff engagements and veteran organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Category:Infantry regiments of the United States Army