About this Unit
The 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment (2/87 IN), known as the "Catamounts," was first constituted in 1917 and has served with distinction in numerous conflicts. During World War II, the unit fought in the Italian Campaign as part of the 10th Mountain Division, playing a pivotal role in the battles for Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere. Reactivated in the 1980s at Fort Drum, New York, 2/87 Infantry has since deployed to various theaters, including Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, conducting both combat and peacekeeping operations. The battalion remains an integral part of the 10th Mountain Division, upholding its legacy of courage, adaptability, and excellence.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment ("2-87 IN") traces its roots back to the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, which was activated at Fort Lewis, Washington, in 1942, as part of the famed 10th Mountain Division.
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World War II Service: The unit fought valiantly in the Italian Campaign during WWII, including the assault on Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere in 1945—key victories that broke through German defenses.
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Distinctive Insignia: The regiment’s insignia features a mountain and crossed bayonets, symbolizing its origins as a mountain warfare unit and its combat readiness.
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Reactivation: After periods of inactivation post-WWII, 2-87 IN was reactivated in 1986 at Fort Drum, New York, as part of the reflagging and modern rebirth of the 10th Mountain Division.
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Nickname: The battalion is nicknamed "Catamounts," a term for the wild mountain lion, reflecting the unit's rugged mountain heritage and fighting spirit.
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Somalia Deployment: In 1993, elements of 2-87 IN deployed to Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope, providing security and humanitarian assistance.
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Afghanistan and Iraq Deployments: Since 2001, 2-87 IN has deployed multiple times to Afghanistan and Iraq, earning a reputation for bravery and effectiveness in counterinsurgency and stability operations.
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Medal of Honor Recipient: Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti of 2-87 IN was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic actions in Afghanistan in 2006.
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Modern Training: The battalion specializes in light infantry tactics, mountain warfare, and cold-weather operations, often training in harsh environments to maintain peak readiness.
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Unit Motto: The 2-87 IN motto is "Vires Montesque Vincimus" — "We Conquer Power and Mountains," emphasizing both physical prowess and the unit’s mountain warfare tradition.
