21st Infantry Regiment (United States)
| 21st Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
Coat of Arms
|
|
| Active | 1861–present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Army
|
| Type | Infantry |
| Garrison/HQ | Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Wainwright, Alaska |
| Nickname(s) | "Gimlet" (special designation) |
| Motto(s) | Duty |
| Engagements |
American Civil War Indian Wars War with Spain Philippine–American War World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Iraqi Freedom Armed Forces Expeditions – Panama |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LTC Brent Clemmer (1st Battalion) LTC Joel Newsom (3rd Battalion) |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive Unit Insignia |  |
| U.S. Infantry Regiments | |
|---|---|
| Previous | Next |
| 20th Infantry Regiment | 22nd Infantry Regiment |
LTC Brent Clemmer (1st Battalion)
The 21st Infantry Regiment ("Gimlet") is a United States Army infantry regiment. The 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 21st currently exist as part of the 25th Infantry Division. The regiment fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom. Task Force Smith, the first American unit to see action in the Korean War, was derived from the regiment's 1st Battalion.
The 21st Infantry traces its history back to the 2nd Battalion of the 12th Infantry Regiment, formed on 3 May 1861 for the American Civil War . Companies A, B, E and G were activated at Fort Hamilton on 20 May 1862. They were sent to Harpers Ferry and on 26 May fought in a skirmish with a Confederate States Army brigade. The companies fought at the Battle of Cedar Mountain on 9 August. The companies were formed into a battalion with elements of the 8th Infantry Regiment and were the lead skirmishers of the II Corps' 2nd Division. They helped to initially break through Confederate lines, but Confederate numerical superiority forced a Union withdraw. During the retreat, the 2nd Battalion's companies suffered heavy losses while covering the retreat.
The battalion also fought at the Second Battle of Manassas and formed the rearguard during the Union retreat at that battle. The battalion then became part of V Corps and fought in the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. In March 1863, three companies of the battalion were disbanded due to a shortage of replacements. It fought in the Battle of Chancellorsville and was part of the rearguard during the retreat across the Rappahannock. The battalion then fought in the Battle of Gettysburg and suffered heavy losses. The battalion advanced southward against the retreating Confederate Army and fought in the Overland Campaign during May 1864. The battalion served at the Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Spotsylvania Court House and the Battle of Cold Harbor. By June, the Union Army was beginning the Siege of Petersburg. The battalion fought in the siege but was combat ineffective due to losses by July. The surviving men were assigned to the 12th Infantry Regiment's 1st Battalion. By 20 September, the battalion was composed of just 48 men. It was withdrawn on 2 November and moved back to Fort Hamilton.
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Wikipedia