2ND ACR

• Origins in 1836: The 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (2nd ACR), originally the 2nd United States Dragoons, was formed in 1836 to fight in the Second Seminole War in Florida. • Mexican-American War: The regiment played a crucial role in the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), including at the Battle of Resaca de la Palma. • Civil War Service: The 2nd Dragoons (later re-designated as 2nd Cavalry) fought for the Union in the American Civil War, participating in major battles such as Gettysburg and Antietam. • Indian Wars: The unit was heavily engaged in the Indian Wars of the late 19th century, including the Battle of Little Bighorn campaign. • World War II: As the 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), they spearheaded Patton’s Third Army’s advance and were the first U.S. unit to cross into Czechoslovakia in 1945. • Cold War “Border Legion”: Stationed in Germany during the Cold War, the 2nd ACR patrolled the border between East and West Germany, earning the nickname "The Ghosts of the East." • Operation Desert Storm: In the 1991 Gulf War, the 2nd ACR led the famous “left hook” maneuver, decisively engaging and destroying the Iraqi Republican Guard at the Battle of 73 Easting. • Bosnia and Kosovo Peacekeeping: The regiment participated in peace enforcement operations in the Balkans, including Bosnia and Kosovo, during the 1990s. • Iraq and Afghanistan Deployments: The 2nd ACR (later re-designated as the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment) served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Global War on Terror. • Modern Role: Today, the unit is known as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR), based in Vilseck, Germany, and serves as a rapidly deployable, Stryker-equipped force for U.S. Army Europe.