HISTORY OF THE BLUE SPADERS

The 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment can trace its origins back to December 25th, 1900 when it was first organized in the Regular Army at the Presidio of San Francisco, California as Company A, 1st Provisional Battalion of Infantry. On February 7th, 1901, the unit was consolidated as Company A, 26th Infantry. From 1900-1902, the unit deployed to the Southwest Pacific and fought in the Philippine Insurrection earning its first battle streamer. In June, 1917, the unit was reformed into the 26th Infantry Regiment and specially selected to serve as one of four Regular Army Infantry Regiments under the 1st American Expeditionary Division. Under the leadership of Colonel Hamilton A. Smith, the regiment selected a blue Mohawk arrowhead as the unit insignia representing the regimental spirit of courage, resourceful daring, and relentless pursuit of the enemy.

The 26th Infantry Regiment was among the first units to arrive in France during the outbreak of World War I. It was during this war that the regiment received it’s nickname “Blue Spaders” taken from German Soldiers who saw the spade-like device on the regiment’s distinctive unit insignia and called the Soldiers “Blauerspadern.” By the conclusion of the war, the regiment had earned seven battle streamers and two foreign awards.

           

During World War II, the 26th Infantry Regiment led the first amphibious assault in North Africa, fought at the Kasserine Pass, assaulted Sicily, invaded Normandy, conquered the first German city of the war at Aachen, vaulted the Rhine and attacked all the way to Czechoslovakia by war’s end. By the conclusion of the war, the regiment had earned seven battle streamers, one Presidential Unit Citation, and 5 foreign awards. After the war, the regiment was given the honor of bearing the United States National Colors at the Allied Victory in Europe parade, and served as America’s guard of honor at the Nuremberg Trials.

On February 15th, 1963, the 26th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division and later reorganized as the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment. From 1965-1970, the regiment served in the Vietnam War earning eleven battle streamers, one Valorous Unit Award, and two foreign awards. On February 24th, 1983, the regiment was deactivated.

On February 16th, 1996, the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment was reactivated within the 1st Infantry Division. During the Balkan Wars, the regiment executed three deployments including Bosnia from February 1996 through September 1996, the Republic of Macedonia from March 1998 through September 1998, and Kosovo from June 1999 through December 1999. By the conclusion of the Balkan Wars, the regiment earned one Superior Unit Award and the Defense of Kosovo streamer.

In 2004 and 2007, the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment deployed with the 1st Infantry Division to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In June 2008, the regiment deployed to Kunar Province, Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this deployment, the regiment served with distinction in the Korengal Valley. In December 2010, the regiment deployed to Khost Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this deployment, the regiment partnered with Afghan National Security Forces to conduct full spectrum counter-insurgency operations earning the Meritorious Unit Commendation. In 2013, the regiment deployed in support of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJ-SOTF). During this time the 26th was deployed in each of Afghanistan’s Regional Commands providing security and increased logistical support to American and NATO Special Forces units.

  

On April 15th, 2015, the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry reassigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). In 2016, the regiment deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. During this deployment, the regiment assisted the Iraqi forces with retaking Fallujah and helped with the initial push into Mosul, Iraq. In 2017, the regiment deployed to Djbouti, Africa as a part of a forward reaction force.

   

In 2019, the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment deployed to Ukraine to serve as a part of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. In 2022, the regiment deployed to Europe as a part of Operation Assure, Deter, and Reinforce.