About this Unit
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment (HHC 2/87 IN) traces its lineage to the original 87th Infantry activated during World War II as part of the 10th Mountain Division. The battalion distinguished itself in combat in the rugged mountains of Italy, contributing significantly to the Allied victory. Reactivated during the Cold War, HHC 2/87 IN has since served in numerous operations, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Today, HHC 2/87th Infantry continues its legacy of excellence as an integral element of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), based at Fort Drum, New York.
Historical Facts
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Lineage and Formation: The 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment (2/87th IN), also known as the "Catamounts," traces its lineage back to World War II, having originally been constituted in 1942 as part of the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment.
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Mountain Warfare Origins: The battalion is historically tied to mountain warfare, with origins in the famed 10th Mountain Division, which trained at Camp Hale, Colorado, to prepare for combat in rugged terrain.
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World War II Service: The 2/87th fought in the Italian Campaign during World War II, playing a critical role in the battles for Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere—famous mountain assaults that broke German defensive lines.
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HHC Role: The Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) provides command, control, and vital support functions for the battalion, including intelligence, logistics, and communications.
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Reactivation and Modern Era: After periods of inactivation, the 2/87th was reactivated in 1986 at Fort Drum, New York, as part of the reconstituted 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).
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Deployments to Afghanistan: HHC 2/87th and the Catamounts have deployed multiple times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, including during the initial invasion in 2001-2002 and subsequent tours in Afghanistan's challenging terrain.
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Iraq Deployments: The battalion also deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting counterinsurgency operations and supporting stability in the region.
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Nickname and Symbolism: The "Catamount" nickname refers to a fierce mountain cat, symbolizing the battalion's agility, strength, and mountain warfare heritage. Their unit crest features a mountain backdrop and the catamount.
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Decorations and Awards: The 2/87th Infantry has received several unit citations and awards, including Presidential Unit Citations for actions in Italy and Valorous Unit Awards for service in Afghanistan.
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Community and Training: HHC 2/87th, stationed at Fort Drum, remains actively involved in community outreach, rigorous training, and remains ready to deploy worldwide as part of the U.S. Army's rapid response force.
