| 382nd Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
Coat of arms |
|
| Active | 1921–1952 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Part of | 96th Infantry Division |
| Engagements | Battle of Leyte, Battle of Okinawa |
| Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation |
The 382nd Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the United States Army. The unit served as a reserve regiment until it was called to active duty during World War II, whereupon it saw action in the Pacific theater as part of the 96th Infantry Division. The unit returned to reserve status after the war until being deactivated in 1952.
The 382nd Infantry Regiment was first constituted on September 5, 1918, in the National Army and assigned to the 96th Division. It was demobilized less than three months later, on November 30, 1918.[1]
The regiment was reconstituted on June 24, 1921, in the Organized Reserves (predecessor of the U.S. Army Reserve) and was assigned to the 96th Division (later re-designated as the 96th Infantry Division). The 382nd was organized in December 1921 with its headquarters at Medford, Oregon.[1]
Ordered into active-duty service on August 15, 1942, the unit was reorganized at Camp Adair, Oregon, for service in World War II. As part of the 96th Infantry Division, the 382nd participated in the Battle of Leyte from October to December 1944 and the Battle of Okinawa from April to June 1945. The regiment returned to the U.S. and was inactivated on February 3, 1946, at Camp Anza, California.[1]
A year later, on January 10, 1947, the 382nd Infantry was re-activated into the Organized Reserves (re-designated as the Army Reserve in 1952) with its headquarters at Boise, Idaho. It was inactivated again on March 1, 1952, and relieved from its assignment to the 96th Infantry Division. Re-designated on October 17, 1999, as the 382nd Regiment, the unit was reorganized to consist of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions, elements of the 75th Division (Training Support).[1]
Three men earned the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, while serving with the 382nd Infantry. These were Private First Class Clarence B. Craft of Company G, for assaulting Japanese-held Hen Hill on Okinawa; Private Ova A. Kelley of Company A, mortally wounded after leading an attack during the Battle of Leyte; and First Lieutenant Seymour W. Terry of Company B, mortally wounded during the fight for Zebra Hill on Okinawa.[2][3][4][5]