5th Regimental Combat Team

• World War II Activation: The 5th Regimental Combat Team (5th RCT) was first activated on 11 October 1941 in Hawaii, shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor, and played a key role in the defense of the islands. • Composition: The 5th RCT was an independent infantry regiment, often supplemented by attached artillery, engineers, and other support units, making it a highly flexible and self-sustaining combat force. • Combat in the Pacific: During World War II, the 5th RCT fought in the Central Pacific, including the campaigns for the Marshall Islands, Guam, and Okinawa, facing intense Japanese resistance. • Korean War Heroics: Reactivated for the Korean War, the 5th RCT arrived in Korea in July 1950, quickly moving to the front lines and earning a reputation for toughness and effectiveness in battle. • Pusan Perimeter: The unit played a crucial role in defending the Pusan Perimeter, holding the line against overwhelming North Korean forces during one of the war’s most desperate phases. • Battle of Bloody Ridge: In September 1951, the 5th RCT was heavily engaged in the fierce fighting at Bloody Ridge, suffering significant casualties but ultimately helping to secure a strategic victory. • Decorations: The 5th RCT received numerous honors, including Presidential Unit Citations and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations, for its valor and effectiveness in combat. • Famous Members: Among its ranks was Lewis Millett, who later earned the Medal of Honor for leading a bayonet charge while serving with the 27th Infantry, part of the same division as the 5th RCT. • Integration: The 5th RCT was one of the first Army units to integrate African American soldiers during the Korean War, reflecting broader changes in the U.S. military at the time. • Inactivation: The 5th Regimental Combat Team was inactivated in 1954 following the Korean War, but its legacy endures through its storied history and the honors it earned in two major conflicts.