2:48th Infantry

• Origins in World War I: The 2nd Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment was originally constituted on 15 May 1917 in the Regular Army as Company B, 48th Infantry and organized at Syracuse, New York. • World War II Service: The regiment, including the 2nd Battalion, fought with distinction in the European Theater as part of the 7th Armored Division, participating in battles such as the Battle of the Bulge. • Battle of St. Vith: The 2/48th played a key role in the defense of St. Vith, Belgium, in December 1944, helping delay German advances during the Ardennes Offensive. • Postwar Inactivation and Reactivation: After World War II, the unit was inactivated and later reactivated and redesignated multiple times, reflecting the Army’s restructuring needs during the Cold War. • Cold War in Germany: The 2/48th Infantry was stationed in West Germany during the Cold War as part of the 3rd Armored Division, helping deter Soviet aggression. • Training Legacy: In the 1980s and 1990s, the 2/48th Infantry served as a key training battalion for new recruits at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. • Unit Motto: The battalion’s motto is “Dragoons,” a reference to their mobile infantry heritage. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The unit’s insignia features a white shield with a blue cross patée and a red border, symbolizing its service and sacrifice. • Decorations: The 2nd Battalion, 48th Infantry has been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions in Belgium during World War II. • Modern Role: Today, the 2/48th Infantry continues to train new soldiers at Fort Leonard Wood, shaping the next generation of Army Infantrymen.