About this Unit
The 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment (1-24 IN), also known as "Deuce Four," is an infantry battalion assigned to the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). The unit traces its lineage back to its formation in 1866, serving in numerous conflicts including the Indian Wars, World War II, and the Korean War. As part of the Army's Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1-24 IN has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, most notably serving in Mosul, Iraq, where it gained recognition for its urban combat operations. Today, 1-24 IN continues to serve as a rapid-response, highly mobile infantry force, leveraging the Stryker vehicle for modern, combined-arms warfare.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment (1-24 IN), known as "Deuce Four," traces its lineage back to the original 24th Infantry Regiment, one of the U.S. Army’s historic all-Black regiments formed after the Civil War in 1869.
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Stryker Brigade: 1-24 IN is assigned to the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, which was among the first units to field the Stryker armored fighting vehicle, becoming part of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) in the early 2000s.
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Mosul, Iraq – 2004–2005: 1-24 IN played a pivotal role in securing Mosul during Operation Iraqi Freedom, engaging in intense urban combat and stabilization operations.
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“Deuce Four” Nickname: The battalion’s nickname, "Deuce Four," comes from the “24” in its unit designation and has become synonymous with its identity.
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Notable Commander: Then-LTC Erik Kurilla, later promoted to General, commanded 1-24 IN during its critical deployment in Mosul and was wounded in action, becoming renowned for leading from the front.
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Michael Yon’s Reporting: Embedded journalist Michael Yon brought national attention to 1-24 IN’s experiences in Mosul through his vivid, on-the-ground reporting and photography, particularly the story “Gates of Fire.”
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Valor Awards: Members of 1-24 IN received numerous awards for valor during their Iraq deployment, including Silver Stars and Bronze Stars for bravery under fire.
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Historic Integration: The 24th Infantry Regiment, from which 1-24 IN descends, was one of the Buffalo Soldier regiments and participated in the Korean War before eventual deactivation and reactivation as part of modern Army restructuring.
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Arctic Experience: Stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, 1-24 IN soldiers are trained for operations in extreme cold and arctic conditions, making them part of the Army’s northernmost combat forces.
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Recent Deployments: In addition to Iraq, 1-24 IN has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and has participated in numerous joint training exercises across the Pacific and Arctic regions to maintain combat readiness.
