About this Unit
The 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment (1/19th) was originally constituted in 1861 and has served in numerous conflicts throughout U.S. military history. The unit saw significant action during the Civil War, Philippine Insurrection, World War II, and the Korean War, earning numerous campaign streamers and unit citations. In more recent decades, 1/19th has been primarily assigned as a Basic Combat Training battalion at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), Georgia, responsible for transforming civilian volunteers into disciplined soldiers. The battalion’s enduring legacy is marked by its commitment to excellence and a proud tradition of service spanning over 160 years.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment (1/19th) was originally constituted in 1861 as part of the 19th Infantry Regiment, making it one of the older infantry units in the U.S. Army.
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Civil War Service: The 19th Infantry Regiment fought valiantly in the American Civil War and was involved in numerous key battles, including the Battle of Shiloh and the Battle of Chickamauga.
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Indian Wars: After the Civil War, the regiment served on the western frontier, participating in campaigns against various Native American tribes during the Indian Wars.
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World War I: The 19th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the 18th Division and later the 27th Division during World War I, serving stateside as a training and replacement unit.
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World War II: 1/19th fought in the Pacific Theater, notably in the Philippines, New Guinea, and Leyte campaigns, earning several battle streamers for its service.
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Korean War: The battalion was part of the 24th Infantry Division and among the first U.S. units to see combat in Korea, fighting bravely at the Pusan Perimeter and during the push north.
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Vietnam War: The 1/19th Infantry was reactivated and deployed to Vietnam, where it took part in major operations such as Operation Attleboro and Operation Junction City.
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Modern Era Training: Today, the 1/19th Infantry is primarily a training battalion at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), Georgia, responsible for transforming civilian volunteers into Army Infantry soldiers through Basic Combat Training and Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT).
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Regimental Motto: The 19th Infantry Regiment’s motto is "Rock of Chickamauga," reflecting its steadfastness and key role in the Civil War battle of the same name.
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Honors and Recognition: The battalion and regiment have garnered numerous unit citations and campaign streamers, and alumni include Medal of Honor recipients such as Private First Class Charles Barger and Sergeant First Class William S. Sitman.