33rd Infantry Regiment (United States)
| 33rd Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
Coat of arms
|
|
| Active | 1916 - 56 |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Army
|
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Regiment |
| Garrison/HQ | Panama Aruba |
| Motto(s) | Ridentes Venimus (Smiling We Come) |
| Engagements |
World War II Korean War as part of 65th Infantry |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
John W. Heavey |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive unit insignia |  |
| U.S. Infantry Regiments | |
|---|---|
| Previous | Next |
| 32nd Infantry Regiment | 34th Infantry Regiment |
The 33rd Infantry Regiment was an American unit stationed in the Panama Canal Zone and Caribbean from 1916-56. Though providing troops for various other American military formations, the regiment had no battle honors of its own.
Though other American regiments in the War of 1812 and American Civil War (33rd Infantry Regiment United States Colored Troops formed from the 1st South Carolina Coloured Infantry on 8 February 1864-disbanded 31 January 1866) had the designation of 33rd Infantry, they have no lineage with the most recent 33rd Infantry Regiment.
The 33rd Infantry was activated on 6 July 1916 in accordance with War Department General Orders Number 22 dated 30 June 1916 that ordered seven new regiments to be organised; four in the Continental United States, one in the Philippine Islands (31st Infantry Regiment (United States)), one in Hawaii (32nd Infantry Regiment (United States)), and one (the 33rd Infantry) in the Canal Zone.
Chronicled by J. Fisher/Fort Clayton C.Z. on his six-foot panorama photo of the first assembly of the full regiment photographed November 1920.
"In 1916, when the whole of Europe was engaged in the great war, the United States Congress enacted a law increasing our armed forces. On [sic] of the results of this act of congress was the organization of the 33rd infantry which was formed in the Canal Zone July 6, 1916 and has remained on duty here ever since. The enlisted personnel of the regiment was originally drawn from the 5th and 10th infantry stationed at Camps Empire and Otis. During the construction days both camps were occupied by troops after being vacated by civilians. Major General Charles H. Muir was the first regiment commander. Headquarters, machine gun, supply companies, and companies A,B,C,D,E, and F were organized at Camp Empire. Companies G,H,I,J,K,L, and M were organized at Camp Otis. The band section was organized at Fort Jay, N.Y. During the first four years of it's [sic] existence, the 33rd. infantry was distributed by battalions, and detachments, throughout the canal zone and the Republic of Panama. During the World War, it guarded Gatun Locks, the dam and spillway, the Monte Lirio and Mindi Bridges, the Chagres River Bridge at Gamboa, the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks, pier 18 and the dry dock at Balboa. During the period from 1916 to 1920, the regiment was engaged in exploring and charting the jungles of Panama.
...
Wikipedia