About this Unit
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment (HHC 4/41 INF) boasts a distinguished history within the United States Army. Activated during the Vietnam War era, the battalion served with the 2nd Armored Division, providing command, control, and support to its subordinate infantry companies. Throughout the Cold War, HHC 4/41 INF was stationed in Germany as part of NATO’s forward defense, playing a vital role in deterring Soviet aggression. The unit has also participated in major training exercises and deployments, continuing its legacy of readiness and professionalism in the modern Army.
Historical Facts
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Unit Designation: HHC 4/41 INF stands for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, a unit with a lineage tracing back to World War I.
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World War II Service: The 41st Infantry Regiment, to which HHC 4/41 INF belongs, was heavily involved in the Normandy Campaign, earning a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions.
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Cold War Posting: During the Cold War, 4/41 INF was stationed in West Germany as part of the 2nd Armored Division (Forward), defending NATO’s central front against potential Warsaw Pact aggression.
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“Black Lions” Nickname: The 41st Infantry Regiment is famously known as the "Black Lions," a nickname symbolizing the unit’s courage and fighting spirit.
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Gulf War Combat: HHC 4/41 INF and its subordinate companies participated in Operation Desert Storm (1991), leading the 2nd Armored Division (Fwd) during the famous "Battle of 73 Easting" and other engagements.
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Decorations: The unit and its parent regiment have received numerous decorations, including Valorous Unit Awards, French Croix de Guerre, and campaign streamers for service in WWII, the Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism.
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Notable Commanders: General Norman Schwarzkopf, later commander of Coalition Forces in Desert Storm, served as a battalion and brigade commander associated with the 2nd Armored Division, which included 4/41 INF.
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Berlin Wall Era: Soldiers of HHC 4/41 INF routinely patrolled the East-West German border and participated in REFORGER exercises, representing American resolve during the tense years before the Berlin Wall fell.
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Unit Insignia: The unit’s distinctive insignia features a blue shield and a black lion, reflecting infantry heritage and the storied “Black Lions” name.
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Legacy and Deactivation: HHC 4/41 INF was inactivated in the early 1990s following the post-Cold War drawdown, but its veterans remain active in reunion associations, preserving the unit’s proud history and legacy.
