About this Unit
The 171st Infantry Brigade was first constituted on 5 August 1917 in the National Army and assigned to the 86th Division during World War I. It was organized at Camp Grant, Illinois, but did not see combat before being demobilized in 1919. Reactivated and redesignated several times throughout the 20th century, the brigade served primarily as a training unit during the Cold War and later under U.S. Army Alaska, where it supported arctic warfare training. The 171st Infantry Brigade was inactivated in 2013, concluding nearly a century of service to the U.S. Army.
Historical Facts
• World War II Activation: The 171st Infantry Brigade was first activated during World War II, on 15 September 1942, as part of the U.S. Army’s efforts to expand its forces during the conflict.
• Training Role: Rather than serving overseas, the Brigade played a crucial role as a training unit, preparing thousands of soldiers for combat assignments in other units throughout the war.
• Inactivation after WWII: Following the Allied victory, the 171st Infantry Brigade was inactivated in 1943, reflecting the drawdown of forces after the war’s end.
• Cold War Reactivation: The Brigade was reactivated in 1963 in Alaska, as part of the U.S. Army’s response to the increasing tension of the Cold War, particularly concerning the defense of North America.
• Alaskan Assignment: Stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, the Brigade developed unique arctic warfare capabilities, training to operate in extreme cold and challenging terrain.
• Distinctive Insignia: The unit’s shoulder sleeve insignia features an arctic wolf and blue-and-white colors, symbolizing its Arctic heritage and mission.
• Training Innovations: The 171st was notable for pioneering cold-weather training and equipment development, influencing Army doctrine for operations in extreme environments.
• Vietnam War Era: During the Vietnam era, the Brigade continued to serve as a training and defense force, rather than deploying directly to Southeast Asia.
• Deactivation in 1972: The Brigade was inactivated again on 13 November 1972, as part of a series of post-Vietnam Army reductions.
• Modern Era: The 171st Infantry Brigade was reactivated in 2007 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where it currently serves as a training unit, preparing soldiers for basic combat and advanced individual training.