Headquarters Company 1-181 Infantry
Encyclopedia
Headquarters Company 1-181 Infantry, Worcester, MA, is the command element for the 1st Battalion 181st Infantry Regiment of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. In the National Guard, companies have two histories. They share the history of the Regiment to which they are assaigned, but also have a unique company history and lineage. Therefore, HHC 1-181 IN shares the long history of the 181st Infantry Regiment (United States)
. While the 181st Infantry Regiment shares the distinction of being the oldest combat regiment in the United States Army
, Headquarters Company was formed more recently during the Volunteer Militia craze of the 1890s. During this time young men began to flock to the independent militia companies forming in each town and city. These companies were both military units and social clubs. This site concentrates on the unique history of HHC as a militia / National Guard company in Worcester., MA. Headquarters Company (Wellington Rifles) has gone on to serve in the following conflicts:War with Spain, Mexican Border Campaign, World War I
and World War II
. Most recently the company served in Iraq
, in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina
, and in Afghanistan
.
The Land forces of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia were redesignated as the Massachusetts National Guard
on 15 November 1907.
In June of 1916 the Wellingtons were sent to the Mexican Border as a part of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment. The 2nd Mass. Was based at Columbus New Mexico, and was the only National Guard Regiment to cross the border into Mexico with General Pershing’s Punitive Expedition.
On 1 April 1923, the Wellington Rifles was designated as Company D of the 181st Infantry Regiment
Company D was relieved from duty with the 26th (Yankee) Infantry Division and served with the 181st Infantry Regiment on coastal defense duty until February of 1944, when the 181st Infantry was broken up with the soldiers going to be infantry replacements in the Italian Campaign.
In 1946, The Wellington Rifles were re-established and became Headquarters Company 1-181 Infantry. The WWII battle honors and service in the Army of Occupation in Austria of the 328th Infantry were credited to the 181st Infantry. The Company served through the Cold War.
In September 2005, HHC mobilized as the command element of JTF Yankee for rescue and security operations in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
On 1 December 2005, the 1st Battalion 104th Infantry Regiment (United States) was deactivated and the remaining units were reconstituted and integrated into the 1st Battalion 181st Infantry Regiment.
On 17 June 2007, HHC 1-181 Infantry was mobilized for one year duty at Camp Cropper in Baghdad, Iraq as the HQ Rear Area Operations Center (RAOC). The RAOC provided oversight on force protection, engineering and logistics at Camp Cropper.
In August 2010, HHC deployed for one year of service with the United States Forces in Afghanistan at Camp Phoenix, Kabul and Parwan Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Mexican Border campaign, H Company, 2nd Massachusetts Infantry
World War I
, H Company, 104th Infantry Regiment (United States)
World War II
,
D Company 181st Infantry Regiment
D Company 328th Infantry Regiment
Global War on Terror, HHC, 1-181 Infantry
181st Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 181st Infantry Regiment shares the distinction of being the oldest combat regiment in the United States Army. The regiment traces its history to 13 December, 1636, when it was one of four colonial regiment of foot of the British Crown in Massachusetts...
. While the 181st Infantry Regiment shares the distinction of being the oldest combat regiment in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, Headquarters Company was formed more recently during the Volunteer Militia craze of the 1890s. During this time young men began to flock to the independent militia companies forming in each town and city. These companies were both military units and social clubs. This site concentrates on the unique history of HHC as a militia / National Guard company in Worcester., MA. Headquarters Company (Wellington Rifles) has gone on to serve in the following conflicts:War with Spain, Mexican Border Campaign, 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...
and 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...
. Most recently the company served in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, and in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
Formation and early operations
The Present Headquarters Company was first mustered on 2 May 1894 in Worcester, as the Wellington Rifles. The Wellington Rifles were mobilized for service in the Spanish American War on 3 June 1898. The company served in the late stages of the Santiago Campaign and was mustered out of service on 27 August, 1898.The Land forces of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia were redesignated as the Massachusetts National Guard
Massachusetts National Guard
The Massachusetts National Guard was founded as the Massachusetts Bay Colonial Militia on December 13, 1636, and contains the oldest units in the United States Army. It is currently headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts and commanded by Major General Joseph C...
on 15 November 1907.
In June of 1916 the Wellingtons were sent to the Mexican Border as a part of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment. The 2nd Mass. Was based at Columbus New Mexico, and was the only National Guard Regiment to cross the border into Mexico with General Pershing’s Punitive Expedition.
World War I
In March of 1917 the Wellingtons were designated as Company H, 104th Infantry Regiment of the 26th Yankee Division for service in the First World War. In France the Company served in all of campaigns of the Yankee Division and was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Gilt Star for the heroic fight at Apremont on 10-13 April 1918. This was the first time in U.S. history that an American unit was decorated for bravery by a foreign power.On 1 April 1923, the Wellington Rifles was designated as Company D of the 181st Infantry Regiment
World War II
The company was mobilized in January of 1941 for one year of training with the Yankee Division. The year of training ended in December of 1941 but the company’s service continued after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into the Second World War.Company D was relieved from duty with the 26th (Yankee) Infantry Division and served with the 181st Infantry Regiment on coastal defense duty until February of 1944, when the 181st Infantry was broken up with the soldiers going to be infantry replacements in the Italian Campaign.
In 1946, The Wellington Rifles were re-established and became Headquarters Company 1-181 Infantry. The WWII battle honors and service in the Army of Occupation in Austria of the 328th Infantry were credited to the 181st Infantry. The Company served through the Cold War.
Later service
0n 08 September 2003, HHC 1-181 Infantry was mobilized for one year duty at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as the Headquarters of the element providing security for the detention facilities at Camp America and Camp Delta in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.In September 2005, HHC mobilized as the command element of JTF Yankee for rescue and security operations in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
On 1 December 2005, the 1st Battalion 104th Infantry Regiment (United States) was deactivated and the remaining units were reconstituted and integrated into the 1st Battalion 181st Infantry Regiment.
On 17 June 2007, HHC 1-181 Infantry was mobilized for one year duty at Camp Cropper in Baghdad, Iraq as the HQ Rear Area Operations Center (RAOC). The RAOC provided oversight on force protection, engineering and logistics at Camp Cropper.
In August 2010, HHC deployed for one year of service with the United States Forces in Afghanistan at Camp Phoenix, Kabul and Parwan Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Battles
Spanish American War, Wellington Rifles- Santiago, Cuba
Mexican Border campaign, H Company, 2nd Massachusetts Infantry
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...
, H Company, 104th Infantry Regiment (United States)
- Champagne Marne
- Aisne Marne
- Saint Mihiel
- Meuse Argonne
- Isle De France 1918
- Lorraine 1918
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...
,
D Company 181st Infantry Regiment
- American Campaign
D Company 328th Infantry Regiment
- Northern France
- Rhineland
- Ardennes-Alsace
- Central Europe
Global War on Terror, HHC, 1-181 Infantry
- Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
- Iraq
- Afghanistan
Unit decorations
| Ribbon | Award | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
French Croix de Guerre, World War I (With Glit Star) | (104th Infantry cited; WD GO 11, 1924) | Embroidered "LORRAINE" |
 |
Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.... , World War II |
1944 (Co D, 328th Infantry) | Embroidered "EUROPEAN THEATER" |
See also
- 181st Infantry Regiment (United States)181st Infantry Regiment (United States)The 181st Infantry Regiment shares the distinction of being the oldest combat regiment in the United States Army. The regiment traces its history to 13 December, 1636, when it was one of four colonial regiment of foot of the British Crown in Massachusetts...
- 104th Infantry Regiment (United States)
- Company A 1-181 InfantryCompany A 1-181 InfantryCompany A 1st Battalion 181st Infantry Regiment is the oldest active company in the 181st Infantry Regiment. In the National Guard, companies have two histories. They share the history of the Regiment to which they are assigned, but also have a unique company history and lineage. Therefore,...
(Springfield Rifles) - Company B 1-181 InfantryCompany B 1-181 InfantryCompany B 1st Battalion 181st Infantry Regiment is a rifle company in the 1st Battalion 181st Infantry Regiment. In the National Guard, companies have two histories. They share the history of the Regiment to which they are assigned, but also have a unique company history and lineage. Therefore,...
- Company C 1-181 InfantryCompany C 1-181 InfantryCompany C 1st Battalion 181st Infantry Regiment is a rifle company in the 181st Infantry Regiment. In the National Guard, companies have two histories. They share the history of the Regiment to which they are assigned, but also have a unique company history and lineage. Therefore, Company C...
(Cambridge City Guard) - Company D 1-181 InfantryCompany D 1-181 InfantryCompany D 1st Battalion 181st Infantry Regiment is a heavy weapons company in the 181st Infantry Regiment. It provides anti-armor and heavy machine gun support to the battalion operations. In the National Guard, companies have two histories. They share the history of the Regiment to which they...
(Hudson Light Guards)