Co E 2d Bn 353d Regt 1st Bde (BCT) 89th Div (Tng) (W8GPEO B) Fort Riley Kansas 66442

• Legacy of the 353rd Regiment: The 353rd Infantry Regiment was first constituted in the National Army in August 1917 for World War I, as part of the 89th Division, and was organized at Camp Funston, Kansas. • World War I Service: The regiment saw action in France, participating in key campaigns such as the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives, and earned campaign streamers for its service. • World War II Re-Activation: The 353rd was reactivated for World War II, again as part of the 89th Infantry Division, and deployed to Europe where it played a role in crossing the Rhine and liberating concentration camps. • Cold War Training Mission: Following World War II, the 353rd Regiment was reorganized several times, eventually becoming a training unit under the 89th Division (Training), focusing on preparing new recruits. • Basic Combat Training (BCT): Company E, 2nd Battalion, 353rd Regiment has been responsible for initial entry training, transforming civilians into soldiers through rigorous physical and mental conditioning. • Stationed at Fort Riley: The unit has been based at Fort Riley, Kansas, a historic military installation established in 1853, which has long served as a center for infantry training. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The regiment’s insignia includes a blue shield (representing infantry) and a silver bend with a fleur-de-lis, symbolizing its service in France during World War I. • 89th "Rolling W" Division: The 89th Division, to which the 353rd belongs, is nicknamed the “Rolling W,” a symbol still reflected in its modern heraldry and esprit de corps. • Decorations and Honors: The 353rd Infantry Regiment has received numerous honors for its wartime service, including campaign participation credits and unit citations. • Modern Training Support: Today, the 353rd Regiment continues its mission supporting Reserve and National Guard training, upholding its legacy of excellence at Fort Riley and beyond.