9th Infantry

• Oldest Active Infantry Regiment: The 9th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed "Manchu," was constituted on March 3, 1855, making it one of the oldest active regiments in the U.S. Army. • Origins in the Pacific Northwest: The 9th Infantry was originally organized at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and was sent to the Pacific Northwest to protect settlers and fight Native American tribes. • Fought in the Civil War: The regiment saw significant action during the American Civil War, including at the Battle of Antietam and the Siege of Vicksburg. • “Manchu” Nickname: The nickname "Manchu" comes from the regiment's service in the Boxer Rebellion in China (1900), where soldiers marched from Tientsin to Peking, reminiscent of the ancient Manchu warriors. • Boxer Rebellion: The 9th Infantry was part of the international relief force during the Boxer Rebellion and was awarded the right to wear the “Manchu Dragon” on their regimental insignia. • World War II Service: Assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, the 9th Infantry landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day Plus 1 (June 7, 1944) and fought across Europe, including in the Battle of the Bulge. • Heroism in Korea: The regiment was one of the first U.S. Army units to engage North Korean forces in the Korean War and played a key role at the Battle of Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge. • Manchu Mile Tradition: In honor of their historic march in China, soldiers of the 9th Infantry Regiment participate in a 25-mile foot march known as the “Manchu Mile,” symbolizing endurance and esprit de corps. • Vietnam War: The regiment deployed to Vietnam and was involved in major operations such as the Battle of Fire Support Base Berchtesgaden, earning multiple unit citations for valor. • Regimental Motto: The 9th Infantry Regiment’s motto is “Keep Up the Fire!”—a phrase attributed to actions during the Boxer Rebellion and serving as a rallying cry for the unit ever since.