54th Infantry

• Origins in the Civil War: The 54th Infantry Regiment designation is most famously associated with the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first official African-American units in the United States Army during the Civil War. • Heroic Charge at Fort Wagner: The 54th Massachusetts led a courageous but costly assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina, on July 18, 1863, earning widespread respect for their bravery. • Popularized by Film: The story of the 54th Massachusetts was dramatized in the acclaimed 1989 film Glory, starring Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman. • Medal of Honor Recipients: Sergeant William Harvey Carney of the 54th Massachusetts became the first African-American to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Fort Wagner. • World War I Service: The 54th Infantry Regiment was constituted in the Regular Army in 1917 and served as part of the 6th Infantry Division during World War I. • Combat in the Philippines: During World War II, the 54th Infantry Regiment fought in the Philippines as part of the U.S. Army’s 6th Infantry Division. • Post-War Occupation: After WWII, elements of the 54th Infantry participated in the occupation of Japan, helping to maintain order and rebuild the nation. • Cold War Era: The regiment was reactivated and reorganized several times throughout the Cold War, serving in various capacities including training and readiness. • Training the Next Generation: In recent years, battalions of the 54th Infantry Regiment have been tasked with training new Army recruits at Fort Benning, Georgia, as part of the Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT). • Motto and Insignia: The 54th Infantry Regiment’s motto is “I Will Not Fail,” and its distinctive unit insignia features a blue shield with a vertical bayonet, symbolizing the regiment's infantry heritage and fighting spirit.