18th Cavalry Regiment (United States)

the World War I unit 76th Field Artillery Regiment November 2016 November 2016 18th Cavalry Regiment 18CavRegtCOA.jpg 120 Coat of arms 1885–1963 (earlier designations)1963-present (18th Cavalry) United States of America United States Army Cavalry Squadron Azusa, California (HHT) Velox et Mortifer (Swift and Deadly)Barry Jason Stein U.S. Army Heraldic Crests: A Complete Illustrated History of Authorized Distinctive Unit Insignia https://books.google.com/books?id=99fh34SJWr8C&pg=PA87 1993 Univ of South Carolina Press 978-0-87249-963-8 87 World War I World War II Bismarck Archipelago Philippines Campaign Korean War Global War on Terrorism Philippine Presidential Unit Citationhttp://www.militarymuseum.org/LH18Cav.html 18th Cavalry Regiment Lineages and Honors of the California National Guard The California State Military Museum 18 August 2017 8 February 2016Republic of Korea Presidential Unit CitationMeritorious Unit Commendationhttp://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/wotawards.html The War on Terrorism: Unit Award Orders & Citations 20 July 2012 United States Army Center of Military History United States Army 22 October 2012 5 December 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091205175115/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/wotawards.html dead http://www.calguard.ca.gov/publicaffairs/Documents/GrizzlyMagazines/CNG%20YearInReview2010.pdf Year in Review 2010 Brandon Honig Grizzly Magazine California National Guard 22 October 2012 After more than four years, 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment, was recognized with a Meritorious Unit Commendation for exceptional performance of its security operations mission in Guantanamo Bay, Cuva in 2005 and 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20121007060235/http://www.calguard.ca.gov/publicaffairs/Documents/GrizzlyMagazines/CNG%20YearInReview2010.pdf 7 October 2012 dead dmy-all 100px Regimental distinctive insignia RSTA U.S. Cavalry Regiments 17th Cavalry Regiment 19th Cavalry Regiment The 18th Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army Regimental System parent regiment of the Armor Branch of the United States Army. The 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment, is the reconnaissance element of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the California Army National Guard. History March 2011 The 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment, was originally constituted on 22 July 1885 in the California National Guard as the 7th Infantry Battalion and organized from existing companies in southern California. It expanded, reorganized, and was redesignated on 5 May 1888 as the 7th Infantry Regiment. On 7 December 1895, it was consolidated with the 9th Infantry Regiment, which had been organized on 8 February 1890, retaining the 7th Infantry Regiment designation. During the Spanish–American War, the regiment was mustered into Federal service on 9 May 1898 at the Presidio of San Francisco as the 7th California Volunteer Infantry. It did not see overseas service before being mustered out at Los Angeles on 2 December after the end of the war.http://militarymuseum.org/spam.html California's Volunteer Forces during the Spanish–American War Denger Mark J. 8 February 2016 California Center for Military History 18 August 2017 It mustered into federal service on 29 June 1916 at Sacramento; and mustered out of federal service on 11 November 1916 at Los Angeles. It was drafted into federal service on 5 August 1917. Between 25 September and 1 November, the regiment consolidated with the California National Guard 2nd Infantry Regiment's 2nd Battalion, Companies L and M, and Sanitary Detachment as the 160th Infantry. The 160th was assigned to the 40th Infantry Division, and was demobilized at Camp Kearny in San Diego on 7 May 1919. Former southern California elements reorganized on 23 August-6 October 1921 in the California National Guard as the 160th Infantry and was assigned to the 40th Division; Headquarters was federally recognized on 31 January 1922 at Los Angeles. The 2nd Battalion 160th Infantry, reorganized and was redesignated on 1 April 1929 as the 2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry, an element of the 40th Division (160th Infantry — hereafter separate lineage). It expanded, reorganized, and was redesignated in March–April 1930 as the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 185th Infantry, elements of the 40th Division (later designated as the 40th Infantry Division). It was inducted into federal service on 3 March 1941 at home stations. It inactivated on 7 April 1946 at Camp Stoneman, CA. The 2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry, was redesignated on 5 August 1946 as the 2nd Battalion, 223rd Infantry and remained assigned to the 40th Infantry Division. At the same time, the 3rd Battalion, 185th Infantry, was redesignated as the 224th Infantry. The 2nd Battalion of the 223rd was organized and Federally recognized on 23 June 1947 with headquarters at Burbank. On 1 September 1950, during the Korean War, the battalion was ordered into active Federal service at Burbank. The 2nd Battalion fought in the Korean War from the winter of 1951–1952 to the end of the war in July 1953. On 2 September 1952, a 2nd Battalion, 223rd Infantry was organized and Federally recognized in the National Guard of the United States (NGUS) to replace the deployed battalion at Burbank. The battalion was released from active service on 30 June 1954 after returning to California and reverted to state control as Federal recognition was withdrawn from the NGUS unit.Sawicki 1985 186 The 2nd Battalion, 223rd Infantry, consolidated with the 3rd Battalion, 111th Armored Cavalry as the 139th Tank Battalion (90mm gun) on 1 July. It was organized and federally recognized on 26 January 1951 with headquarters at Van Nuys and moved to Burbank on 1 November of that year. The new unit was assigned to the 40th Armored Division. On 1 July 1959, the battalion was reorganized and redesignated as the 2nd Medium Tank Battalion of the 185th Armor, still part of the 40th Armored Division.Sawicki 1985 186 The unit reorganized and was redesignated on 1 March 1963 as the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 18th Armored Cavalry, and relieved from assignment to the 40th Armored Division. It was reorganized and redesignated on 1 November 1965 as the 1st Squadron, 18th Armored Cavalry; and ordered into active federal service on 13 May 1968 at home stations. The 1st Squadron was scheduled for deployment to South Vietnam in November 1968 but due to pressure from the relatives of unit members, only the squadron's heavy equipment was shipped to South Vietnam and the unit was assigned to the Strategic Army Forces in the United States.Cosmas Graham The Joint Chiefs of Staff and The War in Vietnam 1960–1968 Part 3 Office of Joint History Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 2009 https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/History/Vietnam/Vietnam_1960-1968_P003.pdf 978-1482378696 249 On 12 December 1969 it was released from active federal service and reverting to state control.Douglas Robinson Allies Repel Fierce Attack on Camp Near Tayninh https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0B15FD3555157493C4AB1782D85F4C8685F9 The New York Times Saigon 26 September 1968 2009-05-12 "The squadron, the First Squadron of the 18th Cavalry Regiment, is now stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash." http://www.militarymuseum.org/CNGVietnam.html Myths and Legends: Mobilization of the California Army National Guard during the Vietnam War Sebby Dan 23 June 217 California State Military Museum California Military Department 8 June 2019 On 13 December, its headquarters was moved to Ontario.Sawicki 1985 186 It was reorganized and redesignated on 13 January 1974 as the 18th Cavalry, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System,Sawicki 1985 186 to consist of the 1st Squadron, an element of the 40th Infantry Division. It was withdrawn on 19 January 1988 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System. The 1st Squadron [less Troops C and D] was ordered into active federal service on 1 May 1992 at home station and deployed to the LA Riots. 1st/18th was first unit on the ground to secure the LA Coliseum, (on the ground for two weeks) released on 9 May 1992 and reverted to state control. Twenty-first century In the 2003-2004 time period Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Troops were activated in support of Operation Noble Eagle. In 2005–2006, the Squadron (less Delta, Echo and Foxtrot Troops) were mobilized to provide a security force for Camp Delta which fell under the GWOT Campaign.Bittersweet homecoming for one National Guardsmen http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1085205.php OC Register Orange County Register Communications 2006-04-03 2009-05-12 ERIKA I. RITCHIE https://web.archive.org/web/20121023225159/http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1085205.php 23 October 2012 live A few of the troopers were assigned to the 184th Infantry during their 2004 deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom, with some dying in combat.Yonemura CPT Kyle Sgt. Paul Neubauer http://hi.ng.mil/hiarng/units/29ibct/Lava%20Flow/OIF%20III/Da%20Lava%20Flow%20-%20Vol%201%20-%20Issue%2015%20October%202005.pdf Da Lava Flow October 2005 Hawaii National Guard 20 March 2017 He joined the California Army National Guard in 1997 and served with Company E 160th Infantry, Company D 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry, Troop H, 18th Cavalry, and was attached to Company D 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry in August of 2004 for deployment to Iraq. 26 January 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170126043310/https://hi.ng.mil/hiarng/units/29ibct/Lava%20Flow/OIF%20III/Da%20Lava%20Flow%20-%20Vol%201%20-%20Issue%2015%20October%202005.pdf dead During the October 2007 California wildfires, approximately 400 soldiers were activated by the Governor of California to assist local authorities in various functions.CNG Soldiers Activate to Support Local Authorities During Wildfire http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=13362 69th Public Affairs Detachment 2007-10-26 2009-05-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20110807135337/http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news%2Fnews_show.php&id=13362 7 August 2011 live dmy-all Press Release 10-17 http://www.calguard.ca.gov/publicaffairs/Pages/PressReleases/October%2007/PressRelease10-17.aspx California National Guard State of California 2007-10-25 2009-05-12 State of California https://web.archive.org/web/20090509170408/http://www.calguard.ca.gov/publicaffairs/Pages/PressReleases/October%2007/PressRelease10-17.aspx 9 May 2009 dead More than 1,450 guardsmen called up in Calif. http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/army_guardfires_071024/ Army Times Army Times Publishing Company 2007-10-25 2009-05-12 1-18th Cavalry was called to active federal service along with the 79th IBCT in October 2008 in support of NATO peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo.http://www.militarymuseum.org/18CavKosovo.pdf Enforcing The Peace Richard D. White Guy V. Coulombe Thomas J. Schuchman Sharon R. Rickerts Lars K. Staack John F. Goodnight January 2013 California Center for Military History California State Military Reserve 2 March 2017 1-18th Cavalry subsequently returned to the U.S. in November 2009.December 2021 During the 2015 California wildfires, Soldiers with 18th Cavalry were called up to participate in firefighting operations.Castaneda Carlos E. 17 August 2015 National Guard Troops Join California Wildfire Fight http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/08/17/national-guard-troops-join-california-wildfire-fight/ KPIX San Francisco 2 March 2017 http://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/612495/national-guard-soldiers-and-airmen-helping-douse-wildfires-in-california-oregon/ National Guard Soldiers and Airmen helping douse wildfires in California, Oregon and Washington Cossel Benjamin Honig Brandon 7 August 2015 NationalGuard.mil United States Department of Defense 2 March 2017 In 2018, elements of the regiment deployed to Jordan, as part of Task Force Spartan, relieving elements of the 184th Infantry.https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4595907/cal-guards-1-18th-cavalry-troopers-deploy-jordan Cal Guard's 1-18th Cavalry troopers deploy to Jordan [Image 4 of 8] Houseman Crystal 28 May 2018 Defense Visual Information Distribution Service 7 February 2019 Frontline Frames https://ms.ng.mil/aboutus/units/155abct/Newsletters/155th%20Newsletter%20(August%2001,%202018).pdf Thunder Times Mississippi National Guard 1 August 2018 7 February 2019 Lee Greg 28 May 2018 250 soldiers head off to Jordan after deployment ceremony in Los Alamitos https://abc7.com/society/250-soldiers-head-off-to-jordan-after-oc-deployment-ceremony/3532709/ KABC-TV Los Angeles 7 February 2019 In 2020, soldiers of the 1-18CAV were activated to Los Angeles to support local civil authorities during the George Floyd protests. On July 7, 2025, soldiers of the 1-18CAV marched on MacArthur Park, a Los Angeles municipal park. There were no protests or violence at the park at the time, which was populated at the time by American civilians (including parents and children at the playground). The statement to the press called the action (Operation Excalibur) a "show of presence." ("On order, 1-18th Cavalry Squadron provides static interagency site protection, mounted mobile security, and Joint Force Land Component Command (JFLCC) Reserve support to Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and supporting federal agencies, whose intent at MacArthur Park is to demonstrate, through a show of presence, the capacity and freedom of maneuver of federal law enforcement within the Los Angeles Joint Operations Area (JOA)."Klippenstein Ken July 7, 2025 Exclusive: Operation Excalibur in Los Angeles Was Show of Force https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-operation-excalibur-in July 10, 2025 KLIP - Ken Klippenstein Distinctive unit insignia Description A Gold color metal and enamel device 1+1/8 in cm in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Or, a tilting spear in bend Vert, between a horse's head couped and a gauntlet of the like, all within a bordure of the second. Attached below the shield is a Gold scroll inscribed "VELOX ET MORTIFER" in Black letters. Symbolism The shield of the coat of arms for the 111th Armored Cavalry Regiment, differenced by a green border, indicates descent of the 139th Tank Battalion from the 3d Battalion of that organization. The colors yellow and green are used for Armor. The horse's head and lance symbolize Cavalry and medieval armor, respectively. The gauntlet represents the shock action of armor and the ability to deliver a decisive blow. Background The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 139th Tank Battalion on 28 February 1956. It was redesignated for the 18th Armored Cavalry Regiment on 24 April 1968. The insignia was redesignated for the 18th Cavalry Regiment on 13 May 1975. Coat of arms Blazon Crest Or, a tilting spear in bend Vert, between a horse's head couped and a gauntlet of the like, all within a bordure of the second. Shield That for the regiments and separate battalions of the California Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors Or and Vert, the setting sun behind a grizzly bear passant on a grassy field all Proper. Motto VELOX ET MORTIFER (Swift and Deadly). Symbolism Shield The shield of the coat of arms for the 111th Armored Cavalry Regiment, differenced by a green border, indicates descent of the 139th Tank Battalion from the 3d Battalion of that organization. The colors yellow and green are used for Armor. The horse's head and lance symbolize Cavalry and medieval armor, respectively. The gauntlet represents the shock action of armor and the ability to deliver a decisive blow. Crest The crest is that of the California Army National Guard. Background The coat of arms was originally approved for the 139th Tank Battalion on 28 February 1956. It was redesignated for the 18th Armored Cavalry Regiment on 24 April 1968. The insignia was redesignated for the 18th Cavalry Regiment on 13 May 1975. References Citations Bibliography http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Heraldry/ArmyDUISSICOA/ArmyHeraldryUnit.aspx?u=3125 18th Cavalry Regiment https://books.google.com/books?id=wI8xAQAAIAAJ&q=%22307th+cavalry%22 Cavalry regiments of the US Army Sawicki James A. Wyvern Publications 1985 9780960240463 Dumfries, Virginia 18 Category:Cavalry regiments of the United States Army National Guard Category:Military units and formations established in 1885