22nd Infantry Regiment

22nd Infantry Regiment
Unit name	22nd Infantry Regiment
Dates	Founded 1861
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry (military)
Role	Light infantry, garrison, combat operations
Size	Regiment

22nd Infantry Regiment is a historic infantry regiment of the United States Army with service spanning from the American Civil War through the late 20th century. The regiment participated in major campaigns including the American Civil War, the Philippine–American War, the World War I, the World War II, and later Cold War-era deployments. Its lineage intersects with notable formations such as the Army of the Potomac, the Eighth Corps (United States), and the Yankee Division.

History

The regiment was constituted during the American Civil War and organized amid the expansion of the Union Army in response to early campaigns like the First Battle of Bull Run and the Peninsula Campaign. Postwar reorganization placed elements into occupation and frontier duties during the Reconstruction era and the Indian Wars, connecting the unit to theaters overseen by commanders from the Department of the Missouri and the Department of the Platte. With the outbreak of the Spanish–American War, the regiment deployed for service tied to operations in the Philippine–American War and counterinsurgency on Luzon. In the lead-up to the First World War, the regiment was federalized and assigned to formations that contributed to the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and the wider American Expeditionary Forces effort under John J. Pershing. During World War II, the regiment fought in multiple campaigns, integrating into larger task forces aligned with operations planned by Dwight D. Eisenhower and coordinated with allied commands such as British Expeditionary Force contingents in combined-arms operations. Throughout the Cold War, the regiment underwent reorganizations under the Pentomic and later Reorganization Objective Army Divisions schemes, reflecting doctrinal shifts promulgated at centers like the Pentagon and the United States Army Center of Military History.

Organization and Structure

Organizationally, the regiment adhered to U.S. infantry tables influenced by the War Department and the Secretary of War directives, transitioning from traditional regimental structures to battalion-centric models under the Combat Arms Regimental System. Its structure historically included multiple battalions, companies, platoons, and squads, with attachments from Field Artillery Branch (United States), elements of the Signal Corps (United States Army), and support from the Quartermaster Corps (United States Army). Command relationships shifted between divisions and corps such as the 1st Infantry Division (United States), the 2nd Infantry Division (United States), and corps-level commands including I Corps (United States). Training and administration were conducted at posts like Fort Benning, Fort Leavenworth, and Fort Riley, while mobilization often routed through staging areas such as Camp Funston and Fort Eustis.

Combat Operations and Deployments

The regiment's combat record includes engagements in major 19th-century battles, expeditionary operations in the Philippines (archipelago), trench warfare in the Western Front (World War I), and maneuver warfare in the European and Pacific theaters of World War II. In World War I, its units took part in campaigns coordinated with the American Expeditionary Forces during battles tied to the Saint-Mihiel Offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. In World War II, the regiment operated in campaigns synchronized with theater commands under Douglas MacArthur in the Pacific or under Omar Bradley in the European Theater, depending on its assignment rotation; operations included amphibious assaults, defensive actions, and urban combat. Postwar deployments encompassed occupation duties in Germany (post-World War II) and rotational stationing during crises linked to NATO commitments such as deployments tied to United States Army Europe and contingency operations concurrent with events involving the Berlin Crisis and broader Cold War flashpoints. The regiment also provided detachments for security, advisory, and training missions engaging allied forces such as units from South Korea, Japan, and NATO partners.

Honors and Decorations

Units within the regiment received campaign streamers and unit decorations awarded by the Department of the Army and allied authorities for actions in campaigns like the Philippine Insurrection, the World War I offensives, and World War II operations. Decorations have included citations from the Secretary of War and awards authorized under statutes applied by the Adjutant General of the Army, with some elements recognized through foreign awards coordinated with governments such as France and Philippines (country). Individual members were eligible for decorations including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, and campaign medals issued under acts of Congress and regulations promulgated by the Department of Defense.

Notable Commanders and Personnel

Leadership and notable personnel connected to the regiment have included officers who later served in high-level assignments within institutions like the United States Army War College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and posts at the Pentagon. Some commanders advanced to rank and commands in formations such as the Eighth United States Army and the XVIII Airborne Corps (United States), while enlisted and officer alumni went on to serve in roles across the Joint Chiefs of Staff staff or in civilian positions in departments including the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Insignia and Traditions

Regimental insignia and heraldry were approved through channels at the Institute of Heraldry (United States Army), reflecting campaign history and unit lineage recorded by the United States Army Center of Military History. Traditions included regimental ceremonies observed at posts such as Fort Benning and commemorations timed with anniversaries of engagements like the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and the Philippine–American War campaigns. Unit customs drew on heraldic devices parallel to those used by neighboring regiments within divisions like the 1st Infantry Division (United States) and incorporated colors, mottos, and streamers representing authorized campaign credits.

Category:Infantry regiments of the United States Army