7th Calvary

• Formation and Early Years: The 7th Cavalry Regiment was formed in 1866 at Fort Riley, Kansas, as part of the post-Civil War expansion of the U.S. Army. • Led by Custer: The regiment’s most famous early commander was Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, who led the 7th Cavalry during the Indian Wars. • Battle of the Little Bighorn: The 7th Cavalry is best known for its catastrophic defeat at the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, where Custer and over 200 of his men were killed by a coalition of Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. • "Garryowen" March: The regiment adopted the Irish tune "Garryowen" as its official march, a tradition that continues to this day. • Participation in the Nez Perce War: The 7th Cavalry was involved in the 1877 pursuit of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribe, engaging in several battles during the campaign. • Wounded Knee Massacre: In 1890, elements of the 7th Cavalry were present at the Wounded Knee Massacre, where hundreds of Lakota Sioux were killed, marking the end of the Indian Wars. • World War II Service: The 7th Cavalry fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II, including actions in the Admiralty Islands and the Philippines. • Korean War: The regiment fought in the Korean War, taking part in the Pusan Perimeter, the Inchon Landing, and battles along the 38th Parallel. • Vietnam War and "We Were Soldiers": The 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, was famously depicted in the book and movie "We Were Soldiers Once... And Young," describing the 1965 Battle of Ia Drang—the first major battle between the U.S. Army and North Vietnamese forces. • Modern Day: Today, the 7th Cavalry Regiment is part of the 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas, and continues to serve in various capacities, including deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.