The History of the 27th United States Jim Malachowski, Association Historian There are historians that can trace the history of our regiment back to before the War of 1812 although our official history does not begin until 1901. That material will be presented at a later date. You will find that the Wolfhound Spirit was alive and well from the the first day of the unit, regardless of what date you choose. For official purposes, and for anyone studying for the promotion board, we will agree that the birth of the regiment was with it's activation as recorded by the Department of the Army. The regiment was organized by an Act of Congress on 2 February, 1901. This means that the regiment was officially 100 years old on 2 February, 2001. The regiment traditionally celebrates it's birthday in May, to commemorate the Battle of Bayan. The organization of the Regiment was prescribed in General Orders, No. 14, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D.C. on 12 February, 1901. The 1st Battalion formed at Fort McPherson Georgia by the transfer of men from the 2d Battalion, 26th Infantry on 29 May, 1901. Although the Regimental headquarters and the remainder of the Regiment were headquartered at Plattsburg Barracks New York, the First Battalion remained at Fort McPherson. After several months of training at Fort McPherson orders were received to move the Battalion to the Philippines on 16 November, 1901.
Texas City and the Panama Canal The Russian Intervention -- 1918-1920 The regiment departed Manila on 7 August, 1918, aboard the "Crook" arriving in Vladivostok on 16 August. The regiment's mission was to safeguard stockpiled war supplies in Vladivostok, protect the Trans Siberian Railroad, and assist the evacuation of the Czech Legion which had fought its way from the Ukraine, across the breath of Russia, to Vladivostok. The 27th Regiment (commanded by Colonel Henry D. Styer) was not the only Allied force in Siberia. The U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment (the Polar Bears) as well as British, Canadian, Czech, Chinese, Italian, French and Japanese troops also participated in the expedition. The regiment's first mission was to move to the Ussuri sector and operate with the 12th Division of the Japanese Army under the command of LTG Oi. (The regiment would again reestablish their relationship with the 12th Division when the 1st Battalion trained with the 12th Division's 30th Regiment during "Orient Shield 94".) From late August to early November, 1918 the regiment helped secure the Trans Siberian Railroad from Vladivostok north to Khabarovsk. It was during this period that the Regiment earned its reputation for marching prowess, moving over 1000 miles in less than a month! In the first winter campaign the regiment accompanied White Russian and Japanese forces in pursuit of the Bolsheviks or "Reds", who were retreating near Spasskoe and Ussuri. During the campaign, the Japanese and White Russians became weary from the tremendous cold and rapid pace of the pursuit and soon fell out alongside the route, unable to go on. But the men from the 27th Regiment, though subjected to the same hardships continued to advance and soon passed their allies, continuing their pursuit of the retreating Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks were soon subjected to continuous attacks from different directions. The tireless soldiers of the Regiment exhausted the Communists as Russian Wolfhounds wear down a wolf, resulting in the capture of a Bolshevik strongpoint. The Japanese commander, General Yamada, despite his chagrin for the failure of his own troops, sent a note to the Regimental commander: "The Chief of the General Staff at Tokyo congratulates you upon your fast and able occupation of Khabarovsk."
In February the regiment was reorganized under a new table of organization and became part of the Hawaiian Division. (In 1942 the Army reorganized the Hawaiian Division into the 24th Infantry Division and the 25th Infantry Division. Both Divisions trace their lineage and "Taro Leaf" division patch to the pre-World War II Hawaiian Division). During this period the 1st Wolfhounds conducted numerous exercises and security missions at Waimanalo, Mount Koala, and Fort Ruger, with Schofield Barracks remaining the regiment's home. It was also during this period that the Wolfhounds gained Fame for their military skills and athletic achievements. Winners would always march into C Quad through the Sally Port. A famous Wolfhound made his first appearance before World War II. He was introduced during a parade in 1929. Where does a four footed Wolfhound march in a Parade? You won't find the answer in FM 22-5, Drill and Ceremonies or the old Infantry Drill Regulations, but the famous Wolfhound Regiment has it's present mascot, Kolchak XII lead the procession.
(L)27th Infantry Band playing the Wolfhound March (R) Ms. Shirley Temple inspecting the regiment
A famous Wolfhound of the time was Lieutenant John Cloninger, better known as "Mr. Wolfhound". In 1940, at the age of 16, he told a recruiting sergeant, "I'll join the Army if you'll send me to the Wolfhounds." He ended World War II a sergeant, with a Silver Star and five Purple Hearts. In the Regiment's initial fighting in the Korean War, he earned a second Silver Star and a battlefield commission. While directing fires in support of Captain Lewis Millett's bayonet assault, Lieutenant Cloninger received his seventh Purple Heart. Before the end of his service with the Regiment in Korea, he would earn a eighth and ninth Purple Heart. While being evacuated for the last time, his parting words to his fellow Wolfhounds were, "I'll be back."
On 16 June 1931, the Regiment's design for its distinctive insignia (or crest) was approved. The crest consists of a gold wolf's head imposed on a black oblong shield, with the Regiment Latin motto, "NEC ASPERA TERRENT" in gold letters. The motto's literal translation is "Frightened By No Difficulties;" the more popular translation is "No Fear On Earth," although other translations, such as "Undaunted," have been used over the years. The 27th Regiment was relieved from the Hawaiian Division and assigned to the 25th Division on 26 August 1941. In just over three months the United States would be at war. 1931 Regimental History Book
This page last updated on Sunday, December 07, 2008 |
regiment toward the next Moro stronghold at Fort Binidayan. The Regiment came under fire on the morning of 2 May 1902 while in camp. Colonel Baldwin ordered Fort Binidayan attacked at noon, two hours later the fort was in the regimental hands. The next stronghold, Fort Pandapatan fell soon after. These combined actions became known as the 
German troops to the Western Front in France. Because Russia had been an ally of the Western Powers, vast quantities of supplies had been shipped to Russian ports. The Allies were concerned the supplies would fall into the hands of warring Russian factions who the Allies feared would turn the supplies over to the Germans. Civil war had broken out in Russia among the Communists, the Reds, and factions loyal to the old Czarist regime the Whites, along with other less significant factions. In Siberia, the Trans Siberian railroad was the only East-West transportation link in the entire country. Whoever controlled the railroad would also control the movement of the supplies stockpiled in the Russian port of Vladivostok, located in eastern Siberia on the Sea of Japan.
actions in Siberia and earlier exploits in the Philippines, the Wolfhound legend was born; from this time forth, the Regiment and its Battalions would be known as the "Wolfhounds". In addition to its nickname, the Regiment's Coat of Arms was now complete. With its crest representing its first campaign in the Philippines, the Siberian service is represented by the blue Polar Bear with a white "S" for Siberia, outlined by an artillery shell. This was the emblem of the Allied force in Siberia.
Martin -- who served with the regiment in both the Philippines and Siberia -- took charge and promised to have "Kolchak" at all gatherings of the regiment
