| 5th Hussar Regiment | |
|---|---|
The regimental standard, photographed in 1918 |
|
| Active | 1783-1992 |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Regiment of Hussars |
| Role | Light cavalry |
| Garrison/HQ | Laon 1980. Couvron 1984. |
| Nickname | Légion de Lauzun (1780) de Lauzun (1783) |
| Motto | Perit sed in armis (they die arms in hand) |
| March | Eugènie |
| Anniversaries | 24 June 1859 (Solférino) Saint George |
| Engagements | American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars, Mexico Expedition, First World War |
| Decorations | Croix de guerre 1914-1918 with palm Médaille d'or de la Ville de Milan |
| Battle honours | Valmy 1792 Iéna 1806 La Moskova 1812 Solferino 1859 Puebla 1863 Lorraine 1914 Champagne 1915 La Marne 1918 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Duc de Lauzun |
The 5th Hussar Regiment (5e régiment de hussards or 5e RH) was a French light cavalry regiment, formed under the Ancien Régime. It was the last regiment created under the monarchy. It particularly distinguished itself during the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary Wars, and the Napoleonic Wars. It continued the traditions of the Regiment of Lauzun-Houzards.
The 5th Hussar Regiment was the child of the 2e Légion des Volontaires Étrangers de la Marine, or the Légion des Volontaires Étrangers de Lauzun, created on 5 March 1780 which took part in the American Revolutionary War from 1780 to 1783. This mixed unit (one company of grenadiers, one company of infantry, two squadrons of Hussars, and one company of gunners) left Newport, Rhode Island in July 1780 and spent the winter in Lebanon, Connecticut.
The Légion de Lauzun became famous during the Siege of Yorktown, mainly before Gloucester on 3 October 1781, where they chased down the champion of the battle, a British cavalry led by Colonel Banastre Tarleton. The legion stayed in the United States of America, first in Hampton, Virginia, then in February 1782 in Charlotte Court House, Virginia, before they were moved in July 1782 to New York. The legion left the United States in May 1783.
The Régiment des Hussards de Lauzun, number 6, was officially created on 14 September 1783 in Hennebont, when the Légion de Lauzun des États-Unis returned.