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| Fourth Infantry Regiment (United States) | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Fourth Infantry Regiment |
| Caption | Fourth Infantry Regiment soldiers during training |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Dates | Constituted 1855 – present |
| Garrison | Fort Bliss |
| Nickname | "Fourth" |
| Motto | "Toujours Prêt" |
Fourth Infantry Regiment (United States) is a regular United States Army infantry regiment with service spanning from antebellum United States expansion through American Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, both World War I and World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, and post‑9/11 operations including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The regiment has been assigned to multiple divisions and commands including the 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, and 3rd Infantry Division, and served at major posts such as Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, Fort Benning, and Fort Bliss.
The regiment was constituted in 1855 during the expansion of the United States Army and organized for frontier service in the western territories including campaigns against indigenous nations during the Indian Wars (United States) and operations tied to the Mexican–American border. During the American Civil War, elements fought in eastern theaters against Confederate armies such as the Army of Northern Virginia and participated in engagements connected to the Army of the Potomac. In 1898 the regiment deployed for the Spanish–American War and subsequently participated in counterinsurgency during the Philippine–American War, operating in the Philippines under commands associated with the Department of the Pacific. In World War I the regiment reoriented for trench warfare, aligning under divisions mobilized for the American Expeditionary Forces in France. Between wars the unit served in garrison and peacekeeping roles at posts like Fort Snelling and training centers like Fort Benning. In World War II the regiment participated in campaigns in the European Theater of Operations and was assigned to combined arms formations that confronted Wehrmacht forces across the Western Front. Cold War realignments saw deployments to the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War and rotational deployments to West Germany under United States Army Europe. In the late 20th century the regiment served in Vietnam War operations and later transformed in structure during the Army Regimental System and modular conversions leading into 21st‑century operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Organizationally the regiment follows the United States Army regimental model with battalions designated 1st through 4th and attached to brigade combat teams within divisions such as the 1st Armored Division and 4th Infantry Division. Each battalion comprises rifle companies, heavy weapons or weapons companies, and a headquarters company, and integrates support from Military Police Corps and Ordnance Corps elements during deployments. The regiment has undergone structural changes under Pentomic reorganizations, the ROAD structure, and later the Brigade Combat Team modularity initiatives driven by Department of Defense force design. Garrison commands have included FORSCOM and TRADOC alignments for training and readiness reporting.
The regiment fought at notable actions associated with campaigns such as the Battle of Gettysburg‑era engagements in the Civil War, coastal operations during the Spanish–American War, counterinsurgency in the Philippine Insurrection, major Western Front operations in World War I sectors like the Meuse‑Argonne Offensive, and hardened campaigning in World War II including operations tied to the Normandy Campaign and subsequent advances into Germany. Cold War and post‑Cold War deployments include defensive operations during the Korean War under the United Nations Command, jungle and counterinsurgency operations in Vietnam during Operation Rolling Thunder‑era campaigns, peacekeeping rotations in Bosnia and Herzegovina under NATO missions, and 21st‑century combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan under United States Central Command and United States Northern Command taskings.
Training for the regiment has been shaped by doctrine promulgated by Training and Doctrine Command and historical manuals such as the FM 7-8 series, integrating marksmanship ranges, combined arms live‑fire exercises at installations like National Training Center and Joint Readiness Training Center, and small unit tactics derived from lessons learned in World War II and Vietnam War. The regiment has participated in joint exercises with allies including North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners and bilateral drills with militaries such as the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and British Army, incorporating counterinsurgency doctrine from the FM 3-24 Counterinsurgency publication and interoperability standards from the NATO Standardization Office.
Regimental heraldry includes a distinctive unit insignia and coat of arms approved by the Institute of Heraldry, featuring symbols representing service in the Civil War, Philippine Insurrection, and European campaigns including heraldic devices referencing the Meuse‑Argonne and Normandy. Traditions include regimental colors ceremonies, unit marches, and commemorations of battle honors tied to campaigns such as Valley Forge‑era lineage celebrations and annual observances honoring veterans from the World War II and Korean War eras.
Commanders and notable personnel who served in the regiment have included brigade and division‑level leaders who later served in senior positions within the United States Army and joint commands, recipients of decorations such as the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Silver Star for actions in major conflicts, and staff officers who contributed to doctrine development at Fort Leavenworth and The Pentagon. Several regimental alumni advanced to flag officer rank and assignments in commands including U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Europe.
The regiment's colors and subordinate units have been awarded campaign streamers and unit citations for engagements across the American Civil War, Spanish–American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War, as well as more recent campaign credits for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Unit citations include Presidential Unit Citations and foreign unit commendations from allied governments recognizing gallantry and sustained performance under fire.
Category:Infantry regiments of the United States Army