322nd Cavalry Regiment (United States)
U.S. Cavalry Regiments | ||||
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The 322nd Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry unit of the
History
The regiment was constituted on 15 October 1921 in the Organized Reserves, part of the 66th Cavalry Division's 161st Cavalry Brigade[1] in the Seventh Corps Area. [2] It was initiated (activated) on 11 March 1922 with headquarters and 1st Squadron at Des Moines, and 2nd Squadron at Minneapolis. The regimental band was activated in 1923 at Des Moines. In July 1929, a new 3rd Squadron was activated at Minneapolis, while the 2nd Squadron relocated to North Dakota. On 10 December 1931, the 322nd's Minnesota units were inactivated and the entire regiment was simultaneously moved to Des Moines.[3]
The 322nd conducted regular equestrian training on the horses of the
Future United States President Ronald Reagan enlisted in the regiment's Troop B at Des Moines on 29 April 1937 as a private, and became a second lieutenant on 25 May, although he soon transferred to the 323rd Cavalry Regiment upon moving to Los Angeles.[4] After the United States entered World War II, the regiment was converted into the 73rd Tank Destroyer Battalion on 30 January 1942. The battalion was disbanded on 11 November 1944.[3]
On 31 January 1971, it was reconstituted in the Army Reserve, represented by 1st Squadron, 322nd Cavalry, which was assigned to the
Commanders
The following officers commanded the 322nd:[11]
- Captain Harry Stimpel (11 March–April 1922)
- Colonel Harry H. Polk (April 1922–February 1927)
- Lieutenant Colonel Roland E. Murphy (February 1931–14 December 1937)
- Colonel James E. McMahon (14 December 1937–January 1938)
Heraldry
The regimental coat of arms was approved on 14 January 1925 and its distinctive unit insignia approved on 4 January 1939. The distinctive unit insignia consisted of a gold colored metal and enamel device 1 1/16 (2.70 cm) in diameter with a spear-brandishing Sioux warrior wearing a war bonnet on horseback. The regimental motto, "Audacter et Strenue" (Strongly and Boldly) was attached to a scroll at the bottom of the insignia. The yellow represented the cavalry and the Sioux warrior the location of the regiment, which was formerly inhabited by the Sioux. The coat of arms was of a similar design except that it omitted the motto and included the Organized Reserve Minuteman crest above the shield.[12]
References
Citations
- ^ Clay 2010, p. 607.
- ^ a b Sawicki 1985, p. 377.
- ^ a b c Clay 2010, p. 651.
- ^ "Military Service of Ronald Reagan". Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspaperarchive.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ Clay 2010, p. 652.
- ^ "322nd Cavalry Regiment Insignia and Coat of Arms Page". The Institute of Heraldry. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
Bibliography
- Clay, Steven E. (2010). US Army Order of Battle 1919–1941 (PDF). Vol. 2. Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: Combat Studies Institute Press. ISBN 9781780399171. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2017-02-16. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- Sawicki, James A. (1985). Cavalry regiments of the US Army. Dumfries, Virginia: Wyvern Publications. ISBN 9780960240463.