About this Unit
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment (HHC 1/23rd Infantry) traces its lineage to the 23rd Infantry Regiment, first constituted in 1812. The regiment has fought in major American conflicts including the Civil War, both World Wars, the Korean War—where it earned the Presidential Unit Citation—and more recent deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the command and support element of the 1st Battalion, HHC has provided essential leadership, planning, and logistical support throughout these operations. Today, HHC 1/23rd Infantry continues its proud legacy as part of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, upholding its motto, "We Serve."
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War I: The 23rd Infantry Regiment, to which HHC 1/23rd belongs, was originally constituted in 1812. The 1st Battalion has seen action in every major American conflict since then.
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Distinguished Service in World War II: The 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry, was part of the legendary 2nd Infantry Division and landed on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion, pushing through France and into Germany.
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Korean War Valor: HHC 1/23rd Infantry fought in the Battle of Chipyong-ni and the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, earning numerous unit citations and individual awards for heroism.
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Vietnam War Deployments: The unit served with distinction in Vietnam, participating in multiple campaigns and earning the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
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"Tomahawks" Nickname: The 1/23rd Infantry is known as the "Tomahawks," a nod to the regiment’s Native American heritage and longstanding warrior ethos.
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Modern Deployments: HHC 1/23rd Infantry has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan multiple times during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, supporting counterinsurgency and stability operations.
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Presidential Unit Citations: The battalion has received several Presidential Unit Citations, including for its actions at the Battle of the Bulge and in Korea.
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Fort Lewis and Joint Base Lewis-McChord: In recent decades, HHC 1/23rd Infantry has been based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, where it trains as part of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
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All-American Heritage: The 23rd Infantry Regiment’s motto is "We Serve," and its lineage includes famous soldiers such as Medal of Honor recipient SFC William S. Sitman.
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Cultural Impact: The battalion’s exploits have been featured in military history books and documentaries, and its members have participated in major U.S. military ceremonies and international exercises.
