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History 6-31st
31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description:
Right Insignia: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 5/16 inches (3.33cm) in height overall consisting of the crest and motto of the coat of arms blazoned: On a wreath Or and Azure a polar bear affronté sejant head to dexter Proper with a ribbon bearing the regimental motto "PRO PATRIA."
Left Insignia: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 5/16 inches (3.33cm) in height overall consisting of the crest and motto of the coat of arms blazoned: On a wreath Or and Azure a polar bear affronté sejant head to sinister Proper with a ribbon bearing the regimental motto "PRO PATRIA."
Symbolism: The regiment was organized in Manila in 1916 by transfer of men from the 8th, 13th and 15th Infantry. The 31st did excellent service in Siberia, this is indicated by the polar bear crest. The motto "For the Country" is indicative of the spirit of the regiment in spite of the fact that the regiment as such has never set foot in the United States.
Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved on 16 Nov 1923. It was amended on 27 Oct 1999 to correct the description.
Blazon:
Shield: Azure, a sea lion Or grasping in dexter paw a rifle with fixed bayonet Proper.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors a polar bear affronté sejant head to sinister, Proper.
Motto: PRO PATRIA (For the Country).
Symbolism: The regiment was organized in Manila in 1916 by transfer of men from the 8th, 13th and 15th Infantry. This is indicated by the sea lion from the coat of arms for the Philippines, the 31st did excellent service in Siberia, this is indicated by the polar bear crest. The motto " For the Country" is indicative of the spirit of the regiment in spite of the fact that the regiment as such has never set foot in the United States.
Background: The coat of arms was approved on 29 Oct 1921.
America's Foreign Legion - The 31st Infantry Regiment at War and Peace
A book in progress
Col (Ret) Karl H. Lowe, Historian
The 31st Infantry Regiment has served our country almost continuously for 87 years. Its active duty members are currently deployed as company task forces on security and training missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa and at the 4th Battalion’s base at Ft Drum, NY. This draft is the foundation of a book on the regiment’s history yet to be published. It is submitted to members of the 31st Infantry Regiment Association to honor the Service of members, living and dead, who contributed their experiences and perspectives to its writing.
Karl has graciously shared with us a chapter from his work. Chapter 17 - 6th BATTALION IN VIETNAM 1967-1970. Click on the photo to view Chapter 17, or follow this link to view all chapters of Karl's book, the history of the 31st Infantry Regiment.
Karl appreciates all feedback and wil update his draft text with your comments accordingly. This project was launched in 1997, the information you convey to Karl, your memories are a contributing factor to the success of this book. Email your comments to Karl Lowe.
A Chronicle of Bravery and Dedication
(as printed in the 1969/1970 Year book)
The record of the 31st Infantry has been equaled by few units in the history of the United States Army. Symbolic of the unit's dedication to the interests of its country is our motto, “Pro Patria”, meaning “For the Country.” The unit's nickname, “Foreign Legion,” is fitting for one of the few United States Army Regiments to have maintained troops overseas since its founding.
Our Coat of Arms is a symbol of our unit's history. Emblazoned on a field of Infantry Blue is a Sea Lion grasping in its paws a rifle with fixed bayonet. Under the shield is engraved our Motto, and above the shield stands a Polar Bear. The Sea Lion is taken from the Coat of Arms of the Filipinos and the Polar Bear symbolizes the 31st Infantry's mission in Siberia.
The 31st Infantry was activated on 13 August 1916 in the Philippines Islands. Two years later it was sent to Siberia to keep the Trans-Siberian Railroad in operation. In this assignment, the 31st Infantry was awarded its first Battle Streamer and acquired the nickname, “Polar Bears.” In 1920, the unit returned to the Philippines Islands.
The years passed peacefully for the “Polar Bears” until 1923, when they were sent to Shanghai to protect the lives and property of United States citizens during the Shanghai Incident. For this action members of the 31st Infantry won the only battle award given to an Army unit during peacetime-The Yangtze Service Medal.
During the Shanghai Incident, the 31st Infantry was presented with the “Shanghai Bowl”, an artifact which was later to play an important part in the proud heritage of the 31st Infantry. The Shanghai Bowl, which was made from 1500 Chinese Silver Dollars, was officially presented to the 31st Infantry at Fort McKinley near Manila of 5 July 1932.
The 31st Infantry, returning to Manila later in 1932, could not know that within nine years it would be in mortal conflict with a new enemy. It formed the nucleus of the first force committed against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. On Bataan, the 31st Infantry faced its supreme test, fighting until it was decimated. When it was apparent that the surrender of Corregidor was inevitable, the Coros and Battle Streamers were destroyed and the Shanghai Bowl was buried in the rocky soil. The valiant survivors of the 31st Infantry took part in the infamous “Death March”. For the gallant action of the 31st Infantry, the unit was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations, one each for the defense of Luzon, Bataan and the Philippines.
On 19 January 1946, the 31st Infantry was reorganized as part of the 7th Infantry Division, and the Shanghai Bowl, which had been recovered from Corregidor, was returned to the unit.
From the time of its reorganization until the latter part of 1948, the 31st Infantry stood guard just below the 38th Parallel on the eastern side of Korea. The unit, having checked the movements of communist infiltrators from the North for two years, was then transferred to Japan.
On the 16th of September 1950, the 31st Infantry spearheaded the decisive landings at Inchon, Korea, thus initiating one of the most decisive campaigns of the Korean Conflict for the United Nations' forces. By November, as a Regimental Combat Team, it was deployed on the Chosin Reservoir. Shortly thereafter, this Team was attacked by two divisions of the Chinese Communist Forces. A withdrawal was ordered and heavy casualties were suffered during the following two days. On 1 December the task force split and proceeded across the ice of the frozen reservoir to the town of Hataur-Ri, joining the 1st Marines. The 31st Infantry then withdrew to the Hungnam Perimeter and embarked for Pusan.
In early August, the 31st Infantry was ordered on the line to relieve elements of the 24th Division in Mundung Ni Valley and on “Heartbreak Ridge.” At the end of April 1952, the 31st Infantry was on line in the central sector of the Korean Battle Front. It was during this period that the nickname “Bearcats” was adopted.
During the remainder of the war, the “Bearcats” remained in Korea. On 20 June 1957, the 1st Battle Group, 31st Infantry was organized from elements of the old 31st Infantry. Then, in July 1963, the 31st Infantry was further reorganized from a Battle Group into the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 31st Infantry.
The 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry was activated on 1 November 1967 at Fort Lewis, Washington. The Battalion under-went six months of mid-winter training at Fort Lewis in preparation for its deployment to the Republic of Vietnam. On the 1st of April 1968 the 6-31st, attached to Task Force Forsyth, 9th Infantry Division departed Fort Lewis with the mission of securing the Division Base Camp, Bearcat, in the Mekong Delta, RVN. The Battalion closed on Bearcat 041430 April 1968, and was introduced to a type terrain and climate which vastly differed from that encountered during the winter training at Fort Lewis.
The “Bearcats” did not remain long at their new home. On the 28th of April, the Battalion came under the operational control of the 3rd Brigade of the 9th Division, and moved to a battalion size base camp at Bien Chon, Long An Province. May saw the Battalion in its first real contact with the “Battle at Y Bridge” during the Communist offensive in the spring of 1968, in the cholon District of Saigon. Credited with 27 enemy kills, the “New Bearcats” proved themselves the equal of their predecessors. The 3rd Brigade was recommended for a Presidential Unit Citation for this operation.
Since their beginning in RVN, the men of the 6th Battalion 31st Infantry have been with the 3rd Brigade while operating from Base Camp Smoke, and later with the 1st Brigade at Fire Support Base Moore and the Division Base Camp at Dong Tam, when the 1st Brigade of the 9th Infantry Division was recommended for a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the period 25 Jan 1969 to 26 April 1969.
Then in June 1969 the 9th Infantry Division (minus) was chosen to return to CONUS; all but the 3rd Brigade and the 6th Battalion were to return home. During the Redeployment the 6-31st, with Air Artillery attachments, operated as Task Force Carlson and was credited with 179 enemy kills.
Can Giuoc, RVN, is our new home, and mud, water and construction are the order of the day. From here we shall continue the creditable history of the 31st Infantry. Gentlemen of the 6th Battalion 31st Infantry, you have written a chapter in our history, and you have written it in a truly exemplary manner. Congratulations, for I have never seen a finer soldier than YOU.
Campaign Streamers
WW I Siberia 1918
WW I Siberia 1919
WW II Philippine Islands
Korea UN Defensive
Korea UN Defensive
Korea CCF Intervention
Korea Second Korea Winter
Korea Korea Summer - Fall 1952
Korea Third Korea Winter
Korea Korea Summer - Fall 1953
Decorations
Streamer, Distinguished Unit Citation, Embroidered Luzon 1942-1942
Streamer, Distinguished Unit Citation, Embroidered Bataan
Streamer, Distinguished Unit Citation, Embroidered Defense of the Philippines
Streamer, Presidential Unit Citation (Navy), Embroidered Chosin Reservoir
Streamer, Presidential Unit Citation, Embroidered Hwachon Reservoir
Streamer, Navy Unit Commendation, Embroidered Panmumjom
Streamer, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Embroidered 7 Dec 1941-10 May 1942
Streamer, Repbulic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Embroidered Inchon
Streamer, Repbulic of Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Embroidered Korea
(Pending Decorations)
Pending - Presidential Unit Citation, 3rd Brigade 6 May 1968 to 12 May 1968
Pending - Presidential Unit Citation, 9th Division 25 January 1969 to 26 April 1969
We have one sister Battalion presently serving in the Republic of Vietnam: the 4th Battalion 31st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division.
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