31st Infantry Regiment (United States)

31st Infantry Regiment (United States)
Unit name	31st Infantry Regiment
Caption	Distinctive unit insignia
Dates	1916–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light infantry
Size	Regiment
Garrison	Schofield Barracks
Nickname	"Polar Bears"
Motto	"Pro Patria"
Battles	See Campaigns and Engagements
Identification symbol label	Coat of arms

31st Infantry Regiment (United States) is a regiment of the United States Army with a lineage dating to the early 20th century. The regiment has served in multiple theaters including the Philippine–American War aftermath, the World War II Pacific campaigns, the Korean War, and operations during the Vietnam War and the Global War on Terrorism. Throughout its history the unit has been stationed at locations such as Fort Benning, Schofield Barracks, and deployed from Pearl Harbor to Guam and Okinawa.

History

Constituted in 1916 during the expansion preceding World War I, the regiment underwent early organization at Fort Bliss and mobilization related to border tensions with Mexico and the Pancho Villa Expedition. Between the wars the regiment participated in garrison duties in the Philippine Islands at Fort William McKinley and training alongside units such as the 24th Infantry Regiment and 25th Infantry Division. During World War II the regiment was engaged in the Pacific theater with connections to campaigns like Leyte and Iwo Jima under commands including the Eighth United States Army and the US Army Pacific. In the Korean War the regiment fought in major operations associated with the Inchon Landing, the Pusan Perimeter, and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir alongside formations such as the 1st Marine Division and the X Corps. In the Vietnam era elements were attached to brigades operating in provinces like Quang Tri and Binh Dinh, and in the 21st century battalions deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan with taskings under III Corps and U.S. Army Pacific.

Organization and Structure

Historically organized as a three-battalion regimental structure, the regiment has included headquarters companies, rifle companies, weapons companies, and support elements. During World War II reorganizations mirrored the triangular division adaptations seen in the U.S. Army with battalions aligned under regimental command and later under brigade combat team constructs such as those used by 25th Infantry Division (Light). The regiment's battalions have worn distinctive unit insignia and shoulder sleeve insignia associated with commands like United States Army Pacific and have been augmented by assets from units including the 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, and 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment when activated. Training affiliations have included schools such as United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning and joint exercises with United States Marine Corps elements and allied forces such as the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Republic of Korea Army.

Campaigns and Engagements

The regiment's combat history includes participation in Pacific island campaigns such as Guam (1944), Battle of Leyte, and operations on Okinawa; Korean War campaigns encompassing UN Offensive (1950), Chinese Intervention (1950–1951), and stabilization phases; counterinsurgency and conventional actions in Vietnam War campaigns like Counteroffensive, Phase II; and contingency operations in the Global War on Terrorism including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit has conducted amphibious assaults, airborne support tasks, and cold-weather operations comparable to those of units deployed to Alaska and in coordination with NATO exercises in the Pacific rim.

Honors and Decorations

The regiment and its subordinate battalions have received campaign streamers for World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War service and unit decorations such as the Presidential Unit Citation (United States), Meritorious Unit Commendation (United States), and foreign awards authorized by governments like the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Individual soldiers have been awarded decorations including the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross (United States), Silver Star, and Bronze Star Medal for actions while assigned to the regiment in multiple conflicts. The unit's lineage includes citations from commands such as the Eighth United States Army and U.S. Army Pacific for exemplary conduct during key campaigns.

Notable Personnel

Prominent figures associated with the regiment include decorated officers and enlisted leaders who later held senior posts in the United States Army and joint commands. Among them are recipients of high decorations who served in campaigns like World War II and the Korean War, officers who attended institutions such as the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and National War College, and NCOs recognized by Sergeant Major of the Army leadership panels. The regiment's alumni network includes veterans who contributed to doctrinal development at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and who served in liaison roles with allied militaries such as the Australian Army and New Zealand Army.

Heraldry and Insignia

The regiment's coat of arms, distinctive unit insignia, and shoulder sleeve insignia incorporate symbols reflecting service in the Philippine Islands, Pacific campaigns, and cold-weather operations symbolized by devices similar to polar motifs used by Arctic units. Colors and emblems reference honors awarded by commands like the Department of the Army and theater commands such as United States Army Pacific. The motto "Pro Patria" appears on regimental insignia alongside heraldic elements registered with the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry.

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