87th Infantry Regiment

87th Infantry Regiment
Unit name	87th Infantry Regiment
Dates	19--present

87th Infantry Regiment is a designation used by multiple infantry units that served in different armies and eras, engaging in campaigns ranging from colonial conflicts to world wars and Cold War deployments. The regiment has appeared in records tied to territorial defense, expeditionary operations, and training missions involving collaboration with allied formations and national armed forces.

History

The unit designation appears in the context of nineteenth-century mobilizations linked to Napoleonic Wars, nineteenth-century European reorganizations, and twentieth-century expansions associated with World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. Elements associated with the regiment were raised during mobilizations influenced by the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War and later reorganized amid interwar reforms following the Treaty of Versailles. During global conflicts the regiment’s formations were subordinated at times to corps like the I Corps (United States) or to divisions echoing lineage with formations such as the 10th Mountain Division and the 1st Infantry Division. Postwar periods saw the regiment reflagged or reconstituted under systems influenced by the National Defense Act (1920) and the reorganization policies of the Pentomic and Regimental Combat Team concepts.

Lineage and Honors

Lineage documents for regimental designations trace activations, inactivations, consolidations, and redesignations involving the Adjutant General of the Army and theater commands such as European Command and Pacific Command. Honors attributed to units carrying the numeric designation often include campaign streamers for operations in theaters connected to Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Normandy Campaign, Italian Campaign (World War II), and later expeditionary citations tied to Korean War and Vietnam War theaters. Decorations historically awarded to constituent battalions or companies include distinctions analogous to the Distinguished Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation (United States), foreign awards like the Croix de Guerre (France), and theater-specific commendations managed by Department of Defense authorities.

Organizational Structure

As configured within modern force structures, regimental designations are organized into battalions, companies, platoons, and squads with administrative oversight provided by higher echelon commands such as Division (military formation) headquarters, Brigade Combat Team staffs, and sustainment commands like the United States Army Sustainment Command. Historical tables of organization and equipment reflect transitions from square divisions tied to World War I doctrines to triangular divisions of World War II and later to brigade-centric structures favored during Operation Desert Storm and broader post-Cold War restructuring influenced by the Goldwater–Nichols Act. Specialized companies within the regiment have at times included reconnaissance, anti-tank, and mortar elements aligned with doctrine from institutions like the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and staff colleges such as the United States Army War College.

Operations and Engagements

Units bearing the regiment number participated in offensives and defensive operations coordinated with allied formations including the British Expeditionary Force, the Free French Forces, and multinational coalitions under NATO. Documented engagements span trench warfare patterns reminiscent of the Western Front (World War I), combined-arms offensives similar to those conducted in the Italian Campaign (World War II), counterinsurgency missions paralleling operations in the Vietnam War, and peace support operations in the post-Cold War Balkans aligned with United Nations Protection Force mandates. Elements were also mobilized for homeland defense during crises that invoked cooperation with civilian agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency during domestic emergencies.

Insignia and Traditions

Regimental insignia associated with the numeric designation reflect heraldic devices influenced by regional symbols, campaign motifs, and branch-specific colors recognized by institutions like the Institute of Heraldry (U.S.) or analogous national heraldic authorities. Traditions include annual observances timed to campaigns comparable to commemorations for Armistice Day, regimental dining-ins and dining-outs patterned after customs in units such as the 1st Infantry Division and battle honors displayed on colors and guidons preserved in regimental museums alongside collections from institutions like the National Museum of the United States Army and national archives.

Notable Personnel

Personnel linked to formations using the regiment number have included career officers who later served in senior roles within commands like United States Army Forces Command, defense policymakers who liaised with Department of Defense leadership, and decorated noncommissioned officers recognized by awards such as the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medal. Some soldiers transitioned to public roles associated with institutions including the United States Congress, academia at universities such as United States Military Academy, and veterans’ advocacy organizations like the American Legion.

Category:Infantry regiments