2:28th infantry 1st infantry division

• Nicknamed "Black Lions": The 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment is famously known as the "Black Lions," a moniker adopted for their fierce fighting spirit and the lion emblem on their crest. • World War I Origins: The 28th Infantry Regiment was first organized in 1901 but saw its first major combat during World War I, participating in key battles such as Cantigny, Soissons, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. • D-Day Landings: As part of the 1st Infantry Division, the 28th Infantry Regiment landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, during the Normandy Invasion, playing a critical role in opening the Western Front. • Battle of the Bulge: The 2/28th fought valiantly during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, helping to blunt the last major Nazi offensive on the Western Front. • Vietnam War Tragedy: On October 17, 1967, the 2/28th suffered heavy casualties in the Battle of Ong Thanh, a significant engagement that deeply affected the battalion and the U.S. Army's approach in Vietnam. • Medal of Honor Recipients: Several soldiers from the 28th Infantry Regiment have been awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of valor, including LTC Terry Allen, Jr., who was posthumously honored for his leadership in Vietnam. • Symbolic Regimental Crest: The regiment's crest features a black lion and a red shield, symbolizing strength and courage. The motto "Guardians of the Frontier" reflects their early U.S. frontier service. • Cold War Service: During the Cold War, the 2/28th was stationed in Germany as part of NATO forces, serving as a deterrent against Soviet aggression. • Iraq Deployment: The Black Lions deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting counterinsurgency operations and training Iraqi security forces. • Enduring Legacy: The 2/28th Infantry has been inactivated and reactivated multiple times, always returning to serve with distinction as part of the "Big Red One" (1st Infantry Division), one of the U.S. Army's most storied units.