1:31st Dn, 2nd Inf Div

• Origins: The 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment (abbreviated 1/31st IN), is a storied unit originally constituted in 1916. It is part of the 31st Infantry Regiment, which has served under various divisions, including the 2nd Infantry Division (“2nd Inf Div”). • “Polar Bears” Nickname: The 31st Infantry Regiment earned the nickname “Polar Bears” after serving in Siberia during the Russian Civil War (1918–1920), as part of the American Expeditionary Force, Siberia. • China Service: The 31st Infantry was one of the few U.S. Army units to serve in China, participating in the defense of the International Settlement in Shanghai in the 1920s and 1930s. • Bataan Death March: Elements of the 31st Infantry fought valiantly in the Philippines during World War II and were among those captured, enduring the infamous Bataan Death March in 1942. • Korean War Legacy: The 31st Infantry, attached to the 2nd Infantry Division, played a pivotal role during the Korean War, especially in the Chosin Reservoir campaign, suffering heavy casualties while holding the line against overwhelming Chinese forces. • “Task Force Faith”: During the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, the 1/31st Infantry formed the core of “Task Force Faith,” which conducted one of the most heroic fighting withdrawals in military history, allowing other UN forces to escape encirclement. • Presidential Unit Citations: The unit and its elements have received multiple Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary heroism in Korea, recognizing their stand at the Chosin Reservoir and other actions. • Vietnam War Service: The 31st Infantry served in Vietnam, conducting counterinsurgency and combat operations, and earning additional campaign streamers and honors. • Modern Deployments: In recent decades, battalions of the 31st Infantry Regiment, including 1/31st IN, have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing their tradition of service in America’s conflicts. • Motto: The regiment’s motto, “Pro Patria” (“For Country”), reflects its long history of dedication and sacrifice in service to the United States.