23rd Infantry Regiment

23rd Infantry Regiment
Unit name	23rd Infantry Regiment
Caption	Distinctive unit insignia
Dates	1812–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Regiment
Motto	Nous Gardons ("We Guard")
Notable commanders	Edward P. Sumner; Joseph M. Dickson; David E. Twiggs

23rd Infantry Regiment The 23rd Infantry Regiment is a historic regiment of the United States Army with service spanning from the War of 1812 era through the War on Terror. The regiment has been assigned to multiple formations including the 25th Infantry Division, the 2nd Infantry Division, and various independent brigade combat teams, and it has participated in major engagements such as the Mexican–American War, the American Civil War, the Philippine–American War, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The unit's lineage includes consolidations with other numbered regiments and reassignments under the United States Army Center of Military History lineage system.

History

Constituted and organized in the early 19th century, the regiment's antecedents trace to infantry regiments raised during the War of 1812 and expanded during the Mexican–American War under commanders who later served in the American Civil War. During the Civil War era the regiment's elements served in theaters alongside units from the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the Cumberland, engaging in campaigns that connected to battles like Gettysburg, Antietam, and Shiloh. Postbellum reorganizations during the Indian Wars and the Spanish–American War led to deployments to Cuba and later the Philippines during the Philippine–American War, where the regiment fought in counterinsurgency operations under the strategic oversight of officers who later participated in World War I staff roles. In the interwar period the regiment experienced peacetime stationing at posts such as Fort Snelling and Schofield Barracks, and in World War II elements served in the Pacific War island campaigns, coordinating with formations like the 23rd Infantry Division (Philippines) and naval task forces including the United States Pacific Fleet. During the Korean War the regiment fought in major operations including the Pusan Perimeter, the Inchon landings, and the drive to the Yalu River, serving alongside units from the United Nations Command and sustaining notable combat actions during the harsh winter campaigns. In the Vietnam War the regiment's battalions operated in areas such as An Khe and Pleiku, conducting air-mobile and jungle operations with aviation support from units of the United States Army Aviation Branch. In the 21st century the regiment's battalions deployed to Iraq War and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) theaters as part of brigade combat teams participating in counterinsurgency, stability, and partnered operations with NATO and coalition partners.

Organization and Structure

Historically organized as a three-battalion regiment, the 23rd's structure has been adapted under the Combat Arms Regimental System and later the United States Army Regimental System, creating battalion-level elements such as 1st Battalion, 2nd Battalion, and 3rd Battalion assigned to different divisions and brigades including the 25th Infantry Division (Light) and independent Brigade Combat Team organizations. Regimental organization incorporated organic support from units like Field Artillery battalions, Engineer battalions, and Military Police detachments while coordinating with higher headquarters such as FORSCOM and U.S. Army Pacific. Personnel assignments and career progression followed standards of the Department of the Army and training at centers including Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, and Joint Readiness Training Center rotations.

Campaigns and Deployments

The regiment's campaign credits encompass 19th- through 21st-century conflicts: engagements in the Mexican–American War, major Civil War campaigns with the Army of the Potomac, counterinsurgency in the Philippine–American War, island campaigns of the Pacific Theater in World War II, the Korean War campaigns from UN offensive phases to winter counteroffensives, extensive operations during the Vietnam War including the Tet Offensive period, and modern deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Theater-level coordination included joint operations with the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and multinational forces from NATO partners such as the United Kingdom Armed Forces and the Australian Defence Force during coalition phases.

Honors and Decorations

The regiment and its battalions have received unit citations and decorations including Presidential Unit Citation (United States), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and foreign honors awarded by allied governments for actions in Korea and Vietnam. Individual soldiers have been awarded decorations such as the Medal of Honor (United States), the Distinguished Service Cross (United States), and the Silver Star for gallantry associated with regimental actions. Campaign streamers affixed to the colors reflect participation in named campaigns from the War of 1812 through modern contingency operations.

Notable Personnel

Officers and enlisted personnel associated with the regiment include leaders who later held high commands or notable public roles: commanders who served in continental campaigns tied to figures from the Civil War era, regimental veterans who became general officers in World War II and the Korean War, and soldiers recognized by national awards such as the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army). Several alumni later served in positions within the Department of Defense and in elected office, and others contributed to doctrine development at institutions like the Army War College and the United States Military Academy.

Insignia and Traditions

The regiment's distinctive unit insignia and coat of arms incorporate symbolism referencing campaigns and honors, with colors and emblems that reflect service in theaters such as the Philippines, Korea, and Vietnam. Regimental traditions include annual observances tied to founding dates, unit marches performed with band elements of the United States Army Band, and lineage ceremonies administered by the United States Army Center of Military History. The motto "Nous Gardons" reflects historical influences and is featured on guidons and the unit crest carried in ceremonies at posts including Fort Lewis and Fort Richardson.

Category:Infantry regiments of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations of the United States in the Korean War