137th Infantry Regiment (United States)
| 137th Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
Coat of arms
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| Active | 1879–1919, 1921–1945, 1947–present |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Kansas |
| Branch | Kansas Army National Guard |
| Type | Infantry |
| Motto(s) | Valor for Service |
| Engagements | Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Robert Sears |
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U.S. Infantry Regiments
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The 137th Infantry Regiment (First Kansas) is an infantry regiment of the United States Army. It is a part of the Kansas Army National Guard and has served with distinction in the Philippine Insurrection, World War I, and World War II. Today, only the 2nd Battalion (2–137) exists as the 2–137th Combined Arms Battalion, and is a component of the 69th Troop Command.
The regiment traces its history back to the organization of the 1st Infantry Regiment of the Kansas Volunteer Militia from pre-existing companies on 17 May 1879. On 7 March 1885, the Kansas Volunteer Militia became the Kansas National Guard.
John W. Leedy, the governor of Kansas, issued a call for volunteers to fight in the Spanish–American War on 26 April 1898, as soon as war was declared. The regiment was reorganized and officially mustered into service between 9 May and 13 May at Topeka, Kansas, as the 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry. At the time of mustering in, the regiment consisted of 46 officers and 964 enlisted men. On 16 May, the regiment left for Camp Merritt, California, and due to disease, the regiment was forced to relocate to Camp Merriam, just north of the Presidio of San Francisco on 5 August. The regiment was still there when an armistice was signed on 12 August.
The 20th Kansas was slated to take part in the Fifth Philippine Expedition on 27 October 1898, and 2nd and 3rd Battalions arrived in Manila on 5 December, and the 1st Battalion arrived on 6 December. The Spanish–American War officially ended on 10 December, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The 20th Kansas had not seen combat against the Spaniards and were camped in tobacco warehouses in Manila until February 1899 when the Philippine Insurrection began. They advanced on, and were the first to enter, Caloocan on 10 February. On 25 March, the regiment swam the Tullahan River, captured a Blockhouse, and then was involved in the engagements of Malinta and Meycauayan three days later. On 28 March, some of the Kansans swam another river, capturing eighty prisoners among the men occupying the earthworks on the opposite side. On 31 March, the regiment entered Malolos, the capital of the First Philippine Republic. On 24 April, the 20th Kansas was involved in the advance against Calumpit, and in the next month, against San Thomas.
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