Co C 4th Battalion (MECH) 20th Infantry USARSO

```html • Origins: Company C, 4th Battalion (Mechanized), 20th Infantry traces its lineage to the 20th Infantry Regiment, which was first organized in 1861 during the Civil War. • Nickname: The 20th Infantry Regiment is known as the “Sykes' Regulars” after General George Sykes, who led the unit during its early years. • USARSO Association: Co C, 4th Battalion (MECH), 20th Infantry was assigned to United States Army South (USARSO), focusing on operations in Central and South America. • Panama Years: The 4th Battalion (Mechanized), 20th Infantry was activated in Panama in 1966, forming part of the 193rd Infantry Brigade. • MECH Transition: The “Mechanized” designation meant the unit was equipped with M113 Armored Personnel Carriers, enhancing mobility in the jungle and urban environments of Panama. • Operation Just Cause: Company C participated in Operation Just Cause in December 1989, helping to depose Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega and restore democratic government. • Jungle Warfare Expertise: The unit gained a reputation for jungle warfare expertise, training alongside the Jungle Operations Training Center at Fort Sherman. • Multinational Exercises: Co C, 4/20th Infantry often participated in multinational exercises, such as “Fuertes Caminos” and “Blazing Trails,” building infrastructure and working with partner nations. • Deactivation: The battalion, including Company C, was inactivated in 1999 as the US returned the Panama Canal Zone to Panama under the Torrijos–Carter Treaties. • Legacy: Veterans of Co C, 4th Battalion, 20th Infantry are active in reunions and maintain a strong regimental association, preserving the history and traditions of the unit. ```