28th Infantry Regiment (United States)

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28th Infantry Regiment
28th Infantry Regiment coat of arms
Active	January 29,1813-
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry Regiment
Garrison/HQ	Fort Riley, Kansas
Nickname	Black Lions
Motto	Vincit amor patriae (Love of Country Conquers).
Engagements	War of 1812 Philippine Expedition World War I World War II *Battle of the Bulge Vietnam War
Commanders
Honorary Commander	Brigadier General (Ret.) James E. Shelton
Honorary CSM	Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) John Terry
Insignia
Distinctive Unit Insignia

The 28th Infantry Regiment (United States) was first established on January 29, 1813 and fought in the War of 1812.

Three US Army regiments have held the designation "28th Infantry". The first was constituted on January 29th, 1813 and served during the war then in progress with England. The regiment first saw combat service from December 1901 to January 1904 during the Philippine Insurrection where the regiment was heavily involved in counter-guerilla operations. During the years 1906-1908, the regiment, minus one battalion, performed guard and police duty as part of the American forces of Cuban Occupation.

In 1913, the 28th Infantry was ordered to Texas to assist in guarding the Mexican border against raids by Pancho Villa. Following the entry of the US into World War I, the regiment was assigned on June 8, 1917 to the First Expeditionary Division which later became the First Infantry Division. On June 29, the men of Company K became the first American combat unit to set foot on European soil at St. Nazair, France.

The 28th Infantry again distinguished itself in combat during World War II as part of the 8th Infantry Division. After landing on Utah Beach on July 4, 1944, its first action was an attack to the south to establish a critical bridgehead over the Ay River so that armored divisions could launch a breakout and then attack into Brittany and Northern France. During its ten months of combat, the regiment played a major part in four allied campaigns - winning three Presidential Unit Citations embroidered Normandy, Bergstein and Stockheim. It captured over 115,000 prisoners of war and vast stores of enemy material.

In 1963, Operation Long Thrust VI deployed 1st Battle Group, 28th Infantry from Fort Riley, Kansas to West Germany from where it advanced through Communist East Germany to Berlin, "front line of the Cold War." 1st Battle Group Black Lions were present during President Kennedy's memorable "Ich bin ein Berliner" visit and returned to Fort Riley that year. In 1965, the 1st and 2nd Battalions were deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division. Early 1970 saw the end of the participation of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 28th Infantry in this war.

After almost 5 years of combat in South Vietnam, the colors of both battalions were re-deployed to Fort Riley. Two members of the 1st Battalion, 1LT Gary L. Miller of Co A and CPT Euripides Rubio of Headquarter and Headquarters Company (HHC) were awarded the Medal of Honor, both posthumously, for their heroism.