3 :12 inf

• Origins in the Civil War: The 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment (3-12 IN) traces its lineage to the 12th Infantry Regiment, constituted in May 1861 and organized at Fort Hamilton, New York. The regiment fought in numerous Civil War battles, including Antietam and Gettysburg. • Indian Wars Service: After the Civil War, the 12th Infantry participated in campaigns against Native American tribes in the West, including actions in the Great Plains and the Southwest. • World War I Deployments: The 12th Infantry Regiment served in France during World War I as part of the 8th Division, although it did not see combat before the Armistice. • World War II Actions: As part of the 4th Infantry Division, the 12th Infantry played a pivotal role in the D-Day landings at Utah Beach on June 6, 1944, and fought through France, Belgium, and Germany. • Vietnam War Heroism: The 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry was reactivated and served with distinction in Vietnam, participating in major operations such as Operation Junction City and earning several unit citations for valor. • Decorated Soldiers: Soldiers of the 3-12 IN have received numerous awards, including the Medal of Honor. Specialist Four Donald Sloat, for example, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Vietnam. • Cold War and Mechanized Infantry: During the Cold War, the battalion was stationed in Germany as part of the U.S. Army’s forward defense in Europe and transitioned to a mechanized infantry role. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: 3-12 IN deployed to Iraq in 2006 as part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, playing a key role in counter-insurgency operations in the Baghdad area. • Afghanistan Deployments: The battalion deployed multiple times to Afghanistan, including missions in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, and was instrumental in partnering with Afghan National Security Forces. • Regimental Motto: The 12th Infantry Regiment’s motto is “Ducti Amore Patriae” (“Having Been Led by Love of Country”), reflecting the unit’s long tradition of service and sacrifice.