31st Infantry Regiment (United States)
| 31st Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
Coat of arms
|
|
| Active | 1916 – present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Army
|
| Type | Infantry |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Drum |
| Nickname(s) | Polar Bears (special designation) |
| Motto(s) | "Pro Patria" (For Country) |
| Engagements |
Russian Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Don C. Faith, Jr. |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive unit insignia |  |
| U.S. Infantry Regiments | |
|---|---|
| Previous | Next |
| 30th Infantry Regiment | 32nd Infantry Regiment |
Russian Civil War
Siberian Expedition
World War II
Battle of Bataan
Bataan Death March
Korean War
Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Vietnam War
Tet Offensive
Afghanistan War
The 31st Infantry Regiment ("Polar Bears") of the United States Army was formed on 13 August 1916, and was part of USAFFE's Philippine Division during World War II. The unit is rare in that it was formed and has spent most of its life on non-American soil.
The regiment is the second to bear the designation, the first being formed out of the 3rd Battalion of the 13th Infantry on 28 July 1866, in the reorganization of the U.S. Army following the American Civil War. However that unit's existence was short-lived, being consolidated with its sister regiment the 22nd Infantry (also formed out of the 13th) in the 1869 reorganization. The current 31st Infantry has no relation by lineage to the first regiment.
The 31st Infantry Regiment was formed at Fort William McKinley, Philippine Islands on 13 August 1916 from cadre from the 8th, 13th, 15th, and 27th Infantry Regiments. The 1st Battalion was formed at Regan Barracks, the 2d at Camp McGrath, and the 3d at Fort William McKinley. It bears the distinction of being the first organization created under expansion of the US Army under the National Defense Act of 1916.
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Wikipedia