3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment
The 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Iron Rakkasans, is a
World War II
The 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment was activated on 25 February 1943 at Camp Mackall,
Korean War
With the outbreak of the Korean War the Rakkasans returned to Asia as a separate unit, the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, in September 1950. Shortly after their arrival the Rakkasans earned a Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) for the attack up the Kimpo Peninsula as part of the amphibious assault at Inchon. They also earned a second Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for a parachute assault north of Pyongyang, North Korea at Sukchon-Sunchon in October 1950. At Sukchon, Private First Class Richard G. Wilson, a medic attached to I Company, earned the Medal of Honor when he gave his life as he administered aid and shielded wounded troopers from enemy fire.[5] In March 1951 the regiment made a second combat jump at Musan-ni, cutting off and destroying large numbers of North Korean and Chinese forces above the 38th parallel. Nearly two years later, in June 1952, the Rakkasans helped quell the prison riots on the island of Koje-do. For their efforts during the Korean War, the battalion earned six campaign streamers.[6]
Vietnam War
The Rakkasans moved back to Fort Campbell, Kentucky in February 1964, to serve as part of the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. In December 1967, the 3rd Battalion deployed to Vietnam, alongside 1st and 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment. Over the next four years the Rakkasans fought in twelve major campaigns, conducting numerous air assaults and
Desert Storm
In August 1990 the battalion deployed to
Afghanistan
After the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001, the battalion once again saw active overseas service. From January to August 2002 the Leader Rakkasans deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, where it participated in numerous search and attacks, raids, and air assaults against the elusive remnants of the Taliban near the Pakistan border, helping to stabilize the country. For its actions, the battalion earned the Afghanistan campaign streamer.
In February 2010, the Iron Rakkasans returned to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Once arriving in Western Paktika Province the battalion partnered with the Afghan National Security Forces in securing the population. In August 2010 the battalion relocated to Andar District, Ghazni Province. At deployments end, the battalion conducted over 5,000 combat patrols and 33 air assaults. The Iron Rakkasans returned to Ft. Campbell in February 2011. For their actions from 1 April 2010 to 31 August 2010, the Leader Rakkasans were awarded the Valorous Unit Award.
From September 2012 to May 2013, the Iron Rakkasans deployed to eastern Khowst Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 12-13. The battalion and its combat advisor comrades partnered with a host of Afghan units to promote Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) development, capabilities, and security. They operated alongside Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP), helping them gain confidence in securing the population. In addition to helping the ANSF operate independently, the battalion also assisted the ANSF in disrupting the enemy's leadership and attack facilitation efforts in this challenging border region.
Iraq
In February 2003 the Leader Rakkasans deployed to Kuwait as part of the invasion force for Operation Iraqi Freedom. While attached to the
No longer the infantry battalion it once was, the new CAV battalion returned to Iraq in September 2005 and fought from FOB Falcon in Baghdad for three months, before moving north to
Decorations
The 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment has received five Presidential Unit Citations, Army; one Presidential Unit Citation, Navy; four Valorous Unit Awards; three Meritorious Unit Citations; the Army Superior Unit Award; the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation; two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations; three Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm; the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class; 25 campaign streamers; has executed two combat parachute jumps in the Korean War and one in the Philippines during WWII; and has four Medal of Honor recipients.
Notes
- ^ E.M. Flanagan Jr., Rakkasans(Novato: Presidio Press, 1997), 5.
- ^ E.M. Flanagan Jr., Rakkasans(Novato: Presidio Press, 1997), 13.
- ^ E.M. Flanagan Jr., Rakkasans(Novato: Presidio Press, 1997), 49.
- ^ E.M. Flanagan Jr., Rakkasans(Novato: Presidio Press, 1997), 68–104.
- ^ E.M. Flanagan Jr., Rakkasans(Novato: Presidio Press, 1997), 163.
- ^ E.M. Flanagan Jr., Rakkasans(Novato: Presidio Press, 1997), 190–206.
- ^ E.M. Flanagan Jr., Rakkasans(Novato: Presidio Press, 1997), 333.
- ^ E.M. Flanagan Jr., Rakkasans(Novato: Presidio Press, 1997), 353–357.
External links
- 3–187th Lineage and Honors Archived 2 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine at United States Army Center of Military History
- Global Security: 3–187th Battalion History
- The Golden Rakkasans Website
- 187th Regimental History
- Army Study Guide's History of the 187th Infantry Regiment
- Explanation of the 187th Regimental Crest
- World War II Association:187th Infantry Regiment History
- Living History Association „RAKKASANS” Co C, 3/187th, 101st Abn Vietnam 1967–1969