About this Unit
The 1st Battalion, 87th Armored Infantry Regiment was originally constituted in 1941 as part of the 87th Infantry Regiment, serving with distinction during World War II in the Aleutian Islands and the Italian Campaign. Following the war, the unit underwent several reorganizations, eventually becoming mechanized and adopting the "Armored Infantry" designation during the Cold War as part of the U.S. Army’s efforts to integrate infantry and armor capabilities. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, 1/87th deployed in support of major operations, including peacekeeping missions in the Balkans and combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, the battalion upholds a legacy of versatility and resilience, embodying its motto, “Quality All Ways.”
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: The 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment (originally 1/87th Infantry) traces its roots to the 87th Mountain Infantry, activated in 1942 at Camp Hale, Colorado, as part of the famed 10th Mountain Division.
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Mountain Warfare Pioneers: The 87th was among the first U.S. Army units specifically trained for mountain and winter warfare, with soldiers learning skiing, rock climbing, and cold-weather survival.
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Italian Campaign Heroics: The battalion famously fought in the Apennine Mountains and helped break the German Gothic Line during the 1945 offensive in Italy, earning a distinguished combat record.
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Redesignation and Mechanization: During the Cold War, the 1/87th Infantry was reorganized as an armored infantry battalion, equipped and trained to fight alongside tanks in mechanized warfare.
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Service in Germany: 1/87th Armored Infantry served as part of the 2nd Armored Division (Forward) in Garlstedt, West Germany, playing a key role in NATO defense during the height of the Cold War.
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Desert Storm Deployment: Elements of the 1/87th took part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, contributing to the liberation of Kuwait and the defeat of Iraqi forces.
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Bosnia Peacekeeping: In the mid-1990s, the battalion deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of NATO’s Implementation Force (IFOR), helping to stabilize the Balkans after years of conflict.
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Return to the 10th Mountain Division: In the late 1990s, the unit returned to its mountain infantry roots and was reassigned to the reactivated 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York.
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Operations in Afghanistan and Iraq: Since 2001, 1/87th Infantry has deployed multiple times to Afghanistan and Iraq, conducting combat, counterinsurgency, and training missions.
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Unit Motto and Honors: The battalion’s motto is “Vires Montesque Vincimus” (“We Conquer Power and Mountains”), reflecting its proud mountain heritage and versatile combat capabilities. The unit has earned numerous decorations, including Presidential Unit Citations and Valorous Unit Awards.
