151st Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 151st Infantry Regiment is an infantry
unit in the Indiana National Guard
, under the 38th Infantry Division.
Indiana Rangers
militia. It was in the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe
that it earned its motto "Wide Awake! Wide Awake!" In 1846, the 2d Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, Indiana Brigade was mustered into Federal Service for the Mexican-American War, and was again federalized in 1861 during the American Civil War
. It was reorganized in 1882 into the Indiana Legion, which was renamed the Indiana National Guard 5 March 1895.
The Regiment was again federalized in 1898 for service in the Spanish-American War
. In 1900, it was reorganized as the First Infantry, Indiana National Guard. The First Infantry was mustered into Federal Service at Fort Benjamin Harrison
in 1916 for service in the Mexican Border Campaign.
With the outbreak of World War I
, the First Infantry was reorganized into the 151st Infantry Regiment, and assigned to the 76th Infantry Brigade, 38th Infantry Division. The Division was mobilized for Federal service in 1917 and demobilized in 1919. The Division was again activated in 1941 in preparation for World War II
. At The Philippines, the 151st Regiment helped earn the 38th Division earn the nickname "Avengers of Bataan."
Elements of the 151st Regiment served in the Vietnam War
. Company D (Rangers
), "Delta Company," was the only National Guard unit to serve intact, and earned more medals in 1969 than any other Army company during a 1-year period.
In 1977, the regiment was organized into two battalions, elements of the 38th Infantry Division. The 1st Battalion (1-151) is an element of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Separate)
, while the 2nd Battalion (2-151) is an element of the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
unit in the Indiana National Guard
Indiana National Guard
The Indiana National Guard is the armed force of the state of Indiana. It consists of the Indiana Army National Guard and the Indiana Air National Guard, and is part of the larger Army National Guard and the Air National Guard...
, under the 38th Infantry Division.
History
The 151st Infantry Regiment traces its roots to the Indiana TerritoryIndiana Territory
The Territory of Indiana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1800, until November 7, 1816, when the southern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Indiana....
Indiana Rangers
Indiana Rangers
The Indiana Rangers were a mounted militia formed in 1807 and operated in the early part of the 19th century to defend settlers in Indiana Territory from attacks by Native Americans. The rangers were present at the Battle of Tippecanoe, and served as auxiliaries to the army during the War of 1812...
militia. It was in the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe
Battle of Tippecanoe
The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought on November 7, 1811, between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and Native American warriors associated with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa were leaders of a confederacy of...
that it earned its motto "Wide Awake! Wide Awake!" In 1846, the 2d Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, Indiana Brigade was mustered into Federal Service for the Mexican-American War, and was again federalized in 1861 during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It was reorganized in 1882 into the Indiana Legion, which was renamed the Indiana National Guard 5 March 1895.
The Regiment was again federalized in 1898 for service in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. In 1900, it was reorganized as the First Infantry, Indiana National Guard. The First Infantry was mustered into Federal Service at Fort Benjamin Harrison
Fort Benjamin Harrison
Fort Benjamin Harrison was a U.S. Army post located in suburban Lawrence, Indiana, northeast of Indianapolis. It is named for the 23rd United States President, Benjamin Harrison. Land was purchased in 1903, with the post being officially named for President Harrison in honor of Indianapolis being...
in 1916 for service in the Mexican Border Campaign.
With the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the First Infantry was reorganized into the 151st Infantry Regiment, and assigned to the 76th Infantry Brigade, 38th Infantry Division. The Division was mobilized for Federal service in 1917 and demobilized in 1919. The Division was again activated in 1941 in preparation for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. At The Philippines, the 151st Regiment helped earn the 38th Division earn the nickname "Avengers of Bataan."
Elements of the 151st Regiment served in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Company D (Rangers
United States Army Rangers
United States Army Rangers are elite members of the United States Army. Rangers have served in recognized U.S. Army Ranger units or have graduated from the U.S. Army's Ranger School...
), "Delta Company," was the only National Guard unit to serve intact, and earned more medals in 1969 than any other Army company during a 1-year period.
In 1977, the regiment was organized into two battalions, elements of the 38th Infantry Division. The 1st Battalion (1-151) is an element of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Separate)
76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States)
The 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is a modular infantry brigade of the United States Army National Guard of Indiana...
, while the 2nd Battalion (2-151) is an element of the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
The 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade is a Battlefield Surveillance Brigade in the US Army National Guard. It is part of the Indiana Army National Guard...
.