HQ 2:36th Infantry

• World War I Origins: The 36th Infantry Regiment was originally constituted in the Regular Army in 1916, with its battalions spread across the United States for border security and later for World War I service. • 2nd Battalion’s Early Role: The 2nd Battalion (2/36th) participated in training and garrison duties during World War I, though the regiment did not see combat in Europe. • Reactivation Before WWII: The 36th Infantry Regiment, including HQ 2/36th, was reactivated and reorganized in the 1940s as the U.S. prepared for entry into World War II. • Assignment to 3rd Armored Division: The 36th Infantry Regiment became the “infantry” element of the famous 3rd Armored Division (“Spearhead”), with 2/36th playing a key role in armored-infantry tactics. • D-Day and Beyond: HQ 2/36th Infantry landed in Normandy in June 1944 and fought through France, Belgium, and Germany, participating in major campaigns such as Operation Cobra and the Battle of the Bulge. • Hedgerow Fighting: The battalion gained a reputation for aggressive action during the difficult hedgerow fighting in Normandy, often leading assaults alongside tanks. • Crossing the Siegfried Line: 2/36th was among the first units to breach the formidable German Siegfried Line, using combined arms tactics that became a hallmark of U.S. armored divisions. • Liberation Efforts: Members of the 2/36th Infantry were involved in liberating towns and concentration camps, earning commendations for their humanitarian efforts. • Postwar Service: After World War II, the 36th Infantry Regiment (including 2/36th) served as occupation forces in Germany before eventual inactivation and reassignments during Cold War restructuring. • Legacy and Traditions: The 2/36th Infantry’s history is honored in modern units, with its lineage continuing in various forms and its World War II exploits remembered in regimental associations and military museums.