3:7th Infantry

• Origins in the 19th Century: The 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment (“3/7 Infantry”) traces its lineage back to 1812, making it one of the oldest active infantry units in the U.S. Army. • Nickname - “Cottonbalers”: The 7th Infantry Regiment earned the nickname “Cottonbalers” during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, where soldiers used cotton bales for defensive positions. • Mexican-American War Service: The unit fought valiantly in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), participating in major battles such as Monterrey and Chapultepec. • Civil War Campaigns: The 7th Infantry fought in 12 major Civil War campaigns, including Antietam, Gettysburg, and the Siege of Atlanta. • World War II Valor: During World War II, 3/7 Infantry participated in key operations in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, including the liberation of Rome. • Korean War Actions: The battalion played a crucial role in the defense of the Pusan Perimeter and later fought at Inchon and the Chosin Reservoir. • Vietnam War Deployments: 3/7 Infantry fought in some of the fiercest battles in Vietnam, including operations in the Mekong Delta and against the Tet Offensive. • Modern Deployments: The battalion has deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. • Decorations and Honors: 3/7 Infantry has earned numerous unit citations, including Presidential Unit Citations, Valorous Unit Awards, and foreign decorations such as the French Croix de Guerre. • Enduring Motto: The battalion’s motto, “Volens et Potens” (“Willing and Able”), reflects its long history of readiness and distinguished service.