HHC 3rd Bn 17th Infantry

• Origins in the Civil War: The 17th Infantry Regiment, which HHC 3rd Battalion is part of, was constituted in 1861 during the American Civil War and fought in major engagements such as the Battle of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. • Buffalo Soldiers Era: Post-Civil War, the 17th Infantry served on the Western frontier, participating in campaigns against Native American tribes and earning a reputation alongside “Buffalo Soldier” units. • Spanish-American War: The regiment fought in Cuba, including at the Battle of El Caney during the Santiago Campaign in 1898, receiving the Spanish War Service streamer. • Philippine Insurrection: The 17th Infantry saw extensive action during the Philippine-American War, helping secure American interests in the Pacific. • World War I Service: Assigned to the 11th Division, the 17th Infantry was mobilized for World War I, but the war ended before the unit saw combat in Europe. • World War II - Pacific Theater: The regiment, including its 3rd Battalion, played a vital role in island-hopping campaigns, notably in the Aleutians, Leyte, and Okinawa, earning multiple Presidential Unit Citations. • Korean War Valor: The 17th Infantry, with HHC 3rd Battalion, fought in major battles including Pork Chop Hill, Heartbreak Ridge, and the Chosin Reservoir. The unit received Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions. • Vietnam War Deployments: The 17th Infantry was reactivated and served in Vietnam as part of the 7th Infantry Division, conducting counterinsurgency and security operations. • Modern Deployments: Elements of HHC 3rd Battalion, 17th Infantry have participated in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in the 21st century. • Regimental Motto and Insignia: The unit’s motto is “Truth and Courage.” Its crest features a buffalo, referencing the regiment’s frontier service, and its insignia is steeped in symbolism from its storied past.