24th Infantry Regiment (United States)
24th Infantry Regiment | |
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Iraq Campaign Afghanistan Campaign Operation Inherent Resolve | |
Commanders | |
Current commander | 1st Battalion - LTC Ryan Occhuizzo |
Notable commanders | Henry C. Merriam Zenas R. Bliss John W. O'Daniel Michael E. Kurilla |
Insignia | |
Distinctive unit insignia |
U.S. Infantry Regiments | ||||
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The 24th Infantry Regiment is a unit of the United States Army, active from 1869 until 1951, and since 1995. Before its original dissolution in 1951, it was primarily made up of African American soldiers.
History
The 24th Infantry Regiment (one of the
Medal of Honor:
- Wham Paymaster Robbery, Arizona Territory11 May 1889
- Black Seminole: United States Scouts, Canyon Blanco, Staked Plains, Texas (Red River War)
- Private Adam Paine
- Black Seminole: United States Scouts, Pecos Texas 25 April 1875
- Sergeant John Ward, trumpeter Isaac Payne, private Pompey Factor
Spanish–American War
The year 1898 saw the 24th Infantry deployed to Cuba as part of the U.S. Expeditionary Force in the Spanish–American War. Elements of the 24th participated in the storming of the Spanish El Viso fortress in the Battle of El Caney. At the climactic Battle of San Juan Hill under the command of Emerson H. Liscum, supported by intensive fire from the Gatling Gun Detachment, units of the 24th Infantry accompanied by elements of the 6th and 13th Infantry Regiments, assaulted and seized the Spanish-held blockhouse and trench system atop San Juan Hill.
Vancouver Barracks
Company B arrived on 3 April 1899 at Vancouver Barracks, the first African American regiment to serve as part of the garrison there.
Philippine–American War
In 1899 the regiment deployed to the Philippines to help suppress a guerrilla movement in the Philippine–American War. The regiment returned to the Islands in 1905, 1907, and 1911. Though the 24th fought a number of battles in the Philippines, one of the most notable occurred on 7 December 1899, when nine soldiers from the regiment routed 100 guerrillas from their trenches. Notable commanders during this period included Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Henry Blanchard Freeman and Colonel Charles L. Hodges, who commanded in the Philippines in 1907 and retired as a major general in 1911.[3]
Mexican border
In 1916 the 24th Infantry guarded the
Pre-World War I and the Houston Riot
During the nadir of American race relations and just months after America's entry into World War I, the soldiers of this historic all-black unit had been dispatched to guard the construction of Camp Logan, a military facility in Harris County, where they met animosity from local white civilians. When white police beat and arrested a black private who tried to intervene during a violent, daytime arrest of a black washer woman, the woman, Sarah Travers, and the soldier, Pvt Alonso Edwards, were jailed. A black corporal sent to inquire after the private, was pistol-whipped, chased and shot at, before being dragged out from under a bed and arrested. After untrue rumors of the corporal's murder spread to other soldiers, hostility boiled over.
The
World War II
At the start of World War II, the 24th Infantry was stationed at
The regiment departed
Korean War
From the end of World War II through 1947, the 24th occupied Okinawa, Japan, after which it relocated to Gifu, Japan. On 1 February 1947, the regiment reorganized as a permanent regiment of the
The 24th Infantry fought throughout the entire Korean peninsula, from the defense of the "
The cases of Lieutenant Leon Gilbert, court martialed for refusing an order from the 24th's commanding officer (who was white), and of some other members of the 24th, helped bring greater attention to problems of segregation and discrimination within the U.S. military.
The landing at
The 25th Division remained in South Korea until ordered north in late November to participate in the Home by Christmas offensive. Later in November, overwhelming assaults by Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) troops forced the U.S. Eighth Army to withdraw. On 29 November, the Chinese 40th Army flanked the 24th Infantry's line north of the Chongchon River in North Korea, forcing the neighboring 9th Regiment, 2nd Division to withdraw.
On 30 November, the 3/24th was at
The Eighth Army's withdrawal did not cease until the force was well below the 39th parallel north. But by early March 1951, the American and ROK troops were again ready for a full-scale offensive.
On 6 March, the 25th Division advanced across the Han River. The 1/24th did well, moving over difficult terrain against an entrenched enemy. The 3rd Battalion initially also performed well, executing a hastily devised river crossing and advancing through rough country against well dug-in PVA troops, far from the 1st Battalion. While climbing up steep terrain, however, the 1/24th reportedly collapsed under PVA fire and withdrew in disorder. When the Division commander learned of that action, his confidence in the 24th plummeted. Many soldiers of the 24th ran away from the fight, tossing their weapons and equipment aside. A derisive poem throughout the U.S. Army stated: When them Chinese mortars begins to thud, the Old Deuce-Four begin to bug.[2]: 216
Although the 24th performed well in the attack north of the Han and the subsequent general withdrawal of the Eighth Army after the
In August, the regiment's new commander, Colonel Thomas D. Gillis, prodded by the Division commander, closely examined the 24th's record in Korea. Determining that leadership had been the problem, he relieved a number of officers. After the change in command, Company F conducted a valiant bayonet and grenade charge on 15 September. However the positive performance of Company F was ignored by higher commands and the news media.[2]: 269 By 1 October 1951, the 24th was dissolved.
Modern legacy
The 24th Infantry was reactivated in 1995 and assigned to the 1st Brigade,
Operation Iraqi Freedom
The 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade,
The unit reflagged as the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and moved to Vilseck, Germany. The 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment replaced the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment of the now decommissioned 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team as of 14 December 2006.
In 2008–2009, 1-24 Infantry deployed to Diyala Governorate, Iraq to FOB Warhorse and later to FOB Grizzly. In contrast to their previous deployment involving the Battle of Mosul, 1-24 sustained very few casualties, none of which came from sustained engagement with enemy forces. For their reconstruction and humanitarian efforts during this tour, the unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation along with sister units in the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division "Lightning".
Operation Enduring Freedom
The 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment deployed again under 1/25 SBCT to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011–2012. The battalion assumed responsibility for the Zabul Province, with assistance from Romanian units along Highway 1. The battalion HQ was primarily stationed at FOB Lagman in Zabul Province with companies co-located and dispersed north and south. 1-24 Infantry found themselves in a direct combat role again, losing several soldiers to Taliban attacks throughout their yearlong deployment, including an "insider attack" in Qalat on 8 January 2012.
Operation Inherent Resolve
The 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment deployed once again to Iraq (and some elements later to Syria under U.S. Army Special Forces) under 1/25 SBCT in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in 2019-2020. The unit was attacked by ballistic missiles launched by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force during their Operation Martyr Soleimani in retaliation for the Assassination of Qasem Soleimani.
Heraldry
Regimental badge
- Description:
- On a blue field a block house of masonry with tower, walls in color of grey stone, roofs yellow.
- On a yellow scroll, the words "SAN JUAN" in blue.
- All encircled by a yellow band bearing the motto in blue "SEMPER PARATUS" (Always Prepared).
- Symbolism: The design commemorates the gallant service of the regiment in the Santiago campaign of 1898.
- Background:
- The badge was approved on 1920-03-27.
- The badge is used as the crest on the organizational colors. The breast of the eagle on the colors is feathered.
Distinctive unit insignia
- Description:
- A gold color metal and enamel device 1+1⁄4 inches (3.2 cm) in width overall consisting of a blue disc bearing a white blockhouse with tower masoned and roofed gold below a gold scroll inscribed "SAN JUAN" in blue letters.
- Attached below the disc a gold scroll turned blue and inscribed "SEMPER PARATUS" in blue letters.
- Symbolism:
- Blue is the color associated with Infantry.
- The house with tower depicts a blockhouse at San Juan Santiago de Cuba and commemorates the 1898 campaign service of the regiment.
- Background:
- The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 24th Infantry on 1923-01-21.
- It was amended to correct the motto on 1923-03-21.
- Amended to add the authorization for wear of the DUI on 1923-05-07.
- Amended to add to the authorization for wear of the DUI on 1925-09-21.
- On 1925-10-23 it was amended to change the appearance of the DUI.
- The insignia was cancelled and a new insignia authorized on 1927-05-17.
Lineage
- Constituted 28 July 1866 in the Regular Army as the 38th Infantry Regiment
- Organized 10 October 1866 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
- Consolidated 15 March 1869 with the 41st Infantry Regiment, and consolidated unit redesignated as the 24th Infantry Regiment
- Assigned 2 January 1947 to the 25th Infantry Division
- Relieved 1 August 1951 from assignment to the 25th Infantry Division
- Inactivated 1 October 1951 in Korea
- Reorganized 16 August 1995 as a parent regiment under the U.S. Army Regimental System
- Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 24th Infantry Regiment[8]
- Inactivated on 1 June 2006 at Fort Lewis, Washington, and relieved from assignment to the 25th Infantry Division
- Assigned 16 December 2006 to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Wainwright, Alaska
- Assigned 6 June 2022 to 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Divisionafter the reflagging of 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
Honors
Campaign participation credit
- Indian Wars:
- Comanches
- Spanish–American War:
- Santiago
- Philippine–American War:
- San Isidro
- Luzon 1900
- World War II:
- Northern Solomons
- Western Pacific
- Korean War:
- UN Defensive
- UN Offensive
- CCF Intervention
- First UN Counteroffensive
- CCF Spring Offensive
- UN Summer-Fall Offensive
Decorations
- Korean Presidential Unit Citationfor MASAN-CHINJU.
- Valorous Unit Award for Battle of Mosul.
- Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008–2009 in Diyala Governorate.
Famous members
- Allen Allensworth served as chaplain of the 24th Infantry from 1886 to 1906, retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel. As a chaplain, he developed educational programs for soldiers. After retiring, he founded the community of Allensworth, California.
- Special Forces Captain Harry G. Cramer, Jr. served most of his conventional career with 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry. He commanded Company B on Okinawa during the Occupation of Japan and commanded Companies B and D during the Korean War. He was considered the first Vietnam casualty from 1983 to 1999, is the first Special Forces soldier to die in Vietnam, and is the first casualty of the 1st Special Forces Group.
- Oscar Charleston 1896-1954 (1911-1915) Major League Baseball Hall of Famer in 1976 (Considered the Best player of the Negro Major Leagues)
- General Michael Kurilla, current CENTCOM Commander.
- MG John Clem, Drummer boy of Shiloh, was commissioned 2LT by President Grant and assigned to the 24th Infantry in December 1871. Promoted to 1LT in 1875.
Notes
- ^ "Special Unit Designations". United States Army Center of Military History. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7881-3990-1.
- ^ The Military Secretary's Office (1906). Official Army Register. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of War. p. 616 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c "The 1917 Houston Riots/Camp Logan Mutiny". pvamu.edu. Prairie View A&M University. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- ^ The 24th Infantry Division Association website, POB 7, Flourtown, PA
- ^ Building the Navy's Bases in World War II, Vol. II (Part III), GPO Washington DC, 1947, p.224 [1]
- ^ "Two Black Medal of Honor recipients honored with renovated park in the South Bronx". Metal of Honor News. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ "Lineage And Honors Information 24th Infantry Regiment (Deuce Four)". U.S. Army Center of Military History. 20 November 2007. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
This article incorporates public domain material from 24th Infantry Lineage and Honors. United States Army Center of Military History.
External links
- Index of Research Collection for the 24th Infantry Regiment Archived 10 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine at the United States Army Center of Military History
- Engagements by the Buffalo Soldiers and Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts
- The Army of the US Historical Sketches of Staff and Line with Portraits of Generals-in-Chief - Twenty-Fourth Regiment of Infantry