2:121st Infantry

• Origins in the Civil War: The 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry traces its lineage back to the 4th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, mustered into service in 1861 for the Confederate States Army. • World War I Service: The regiment was activated for federal service in 1917, becoming part of the 31st "Dixie" Division and served as a replacement training unit in France. • World War II Heroics: During World War II, the 121st Infantry was part of the 8th Infantry Division and participated in the Normandy Campaign, fighting through France and into Germany. • Battle of the Hürtgen Forest: The 2/121st Infantry distinguished itself in the brutal Battle of the Hürtgen Forest—one of the longest battles fought on German soil in WWII. • Georgia Army National Guard: Today, the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry is a part of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. • “Old Gray Bonnet” Nickname: The regiment is known as "The Old Gray Bonnet," a nickname rooted in its Civil War heritage and Georgia ties. • Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan: 2/121st Infantry has deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, earning respect for its professionalism and effectiveness. • Peacetime Service: The unit routinely mobilizes for state emergencies, including disaster relief during hurricanes and floods in Georgia. • Decorations and Honors: 2/121st Infantry has received numerous decorations, including campaign streamers from both World Wars and the War on Terror. • Community Engagement: The battalion is deeply rooted in Georgia communities, supporting civic events, parades, and youth mentorship programs throughout the state.