About this Unit
The 188th Infantry Regiment was first constituted during World War II as part of the U.S. Army's 11th Airborne Division. Activated in 1943, the regiment participated in combat operations in the Pacific Theater, notably in the Philippines campaign where it played a key role in liberating Luzon from Japanese occupation. After the war, the 188th Infantry saw postwar service in the occupation of Japan before being inactivated in 1949. The regiment's legacy continues through its lineage with airborne and infantry units in the modern U.S. Army.
Historical Facts
• Origins in World War I: The 188th Infantry Regiment traces its roots to the 188th Infantry, which was part of the 94th Division in the National Army during World War I, organized in 1917.
• World War II Service: The 188th Glider Infantry Regiment (188th GIR) was activated in 1943 and assigned to the 11th Airborne Division, becoming famous for airborne operations in the Pacific Theater.
• Leyte and Luzon Campaigns: The 188th GIR participated in the Philippines campaign, including the Battle of Leyte and the assault on Luzon, playing crucial roles in liberating the islands from Japanese occupation.
• Los Baños Raid: Members of the 188th participated in the daring raid to liberate over 2,000 civilian internees from a Japanese camp at Los Baños in 1945—a feat lauded as one of the most successful rescue operations of World War II.
• Occupation of Japan: After World War II, the 188th was part of the occupation force in Japan, helping to maintain order and assist in the rebuilding efforts.
• Deactivation and Reorganization: The 188th Infantry underwent several periods of inactivation, reactivation, and consolidation with other units throughout the postwar years, reflecting the evolving structure of the U.S. Army.
• Distinctive Unit Insignia: The regimental crest of the 188th Infantry features a glider, symbolizing its airborne heritage and unique glider-borne operations in World War II.
• Airborne Firsts: The 188th was among the first U.S. infantry regiments to be trained and deployed as a glider-borne unit, a novel concept at the time for rapid deployment behind enemy lines.
• Korean War Service: The 188th Infantry Regiment designation was later used for units that served in the Korean War, continuing its legacy of combat service in Asia.
• Honors and Decorations: The units bearing the 188th Infantry designation have received numerous commendations, including Presidential Unit Citations and foreign awards, for their valor and achievements in combat.
