2:13th Infantry

• Formation and Early Service: The 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment (2-13 IN) was originally constituted in 1861 as part of the 13th Infantry Regiment, seeing its first action during the American Civil War. • Battle of Vicksburg: The 13th Infantry Regiment earned its motto "First at Vicksburg" for being the first unit to plant its colors on the Confederate defenses during the siege of Vicksburg in 1863. • Indian Wars Campaigns: After the Civil War, the 2/13th Infantry participated in various campaigns against Native American tribes in the western United States. • World War I Service: The battalion served in France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces, participating in major offensives such as Meuse-Argonne. • World War II Deployments: During World War II, 2/13th Infantry fought in the European Theater, including the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. • Cold War Stationing: Throughout the Cold War, elements of the 2/13th were stationed in Germany as part of the U.S. Army’s commitment to NATO. • Vietnam War Era: While the 13th Infantry Regiment as a whole was reorganized, the 2/13th contributed personnel and expertise to units deployed to Vietnam. • Training Mission: In recent decades, 2/13th Infantry has been a key Basic Combat Training battalion at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, training thousands of new Army soldiers annually. • Distinctive Insignia: The regiment's distinctive unit insignia features a blue shield with a trident and a cross, symbolizing its Civil War heritage and amphibious operations. • Legacy and Honors: The 2/13th Infantry boasts numerous campaign streamers and decorations, including the Presidential Unit Citation, testifying to its courage and distinguished service across multiple conflicts.