The 27th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the "Wolfhounds", is a regiment of the United States Army established in 1901, that served in the Philippine–American War, in the Siberian Intervention after World War I, and as part of the 25th Infantry Division ("Tropic Lightning") during World War II, the Korean War, and later the Vietnam War. More recently the regiment deployed to Afghanistan for the second time, following two deployments to Iraq. The regimental march is the Wolfhound March.
First and second formations
Prior to its establishment in 1901, the Wolfhound Regiment was preceded by two US Army 27th Infantry Regiments: 27th U.S. Infantry Regiment constituted 29 January 1813; consolidated 3 July 1815 with 4 other regiments to become 6th Infantry Regiment (United States). 27th U.S. Infantry Regiment constituted 3 May 1861 as 2nd Battalion/18th Infantry Regiment (United States); redesignated 27th Infantry Regiment 21 September 1866; consolidated 10 March 1869 with 9th Infantry Regiment to form 9th Infantry Regiment (United States)
Third formation – the "Wolfhounds" The 27th Infantry Regiment was established by act of Congress on 2 February 1901. James M. J. Sanno was assigned to command in August, and the regiment saw its first combat action in 1902 while serving as part of the American force sent to quell the Philippine Insurrection on the island of Mindanao.
By 1904–1905, the unit had returned from the Philippines and its battalions were stationed at Fort Sheridan (Chicago, Illinois) and Columbus Barracks (Columbus, Ohio). The 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry participated in field maneuvers with the mobilized Ohio National Guard in southeastern Ohio (near Athens, Ohio) alongside other regular army units including Troop L of the 4th Cavalry, in a test of the nationally reorganized state militias following the Dick Act of 1903. This unit was involved in the August 19, 1904 riot with Ohio National Guard and civil authorities that resulted in several deaths.
During the Russian Civil War, the 27th Infantry served in the American Expeditionary Force sent to Siberia in 1918. The troops embarked on the Army transports , and departing Manila on 7 August 1918 and arriving Vladivostok on 15 and 16 August. This campaign has become an integral part of the regiment's history. The tenacious pursuit tactics of the regiment won the respect of the Bolsheviks, who gave them the name "Wolfhounds." This emblem continues to serve as the symbol of the 27th Infantry Regiment. During their time in Siberia, the unit was part of the Evgenevka incident, a face-off between the Wolfhounds and the Japanese Military.
In 1920, the regiment was assigned to duty in the Philippines, and Joseph D. Leitch was assigned to command. On 1 March 1921, the 27th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the Hawaiian Division. It served in the Hawaiian Division for over twenty years until it was relieved on 26 August 1941, and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division.
Stationed in Hawaii, they were some of first to fire back at attacking Japanese war planes during Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The film and book by James Jones From Here to Eternity was based on some of the Wolfhound regimental life. After seeing extensive action in the Pacific theater during World War II, especially on the island of Guadalcanal during the Battle of Mount Austen, the Galloping Horse, and the Sea Horse, it fought in the last days of the New Georgia Campaign on the right flank on the advance on Munda, Solomon Islands, later during the Battle of Luzon and the ensuing occupation of Japan, the 27th Infantry Regiment earned the nickname "Gentle Wolfhounds" for their support of the Holy Family Home orphanage.
Occupation duties were cut short in July, 1950, when the 27th Infantry Regiment departed for Pusan, South Korea, to assist in holding the Pusan perimeter at the onset of the Korean War. The unit saw heavy action throughout the war, where they were considered the "fire brigade" for the 25th Infantry Division – in essence, making first combat contact with enemy forces. They saw significant fighting at Sandbag Castle. Colonel George B. Sloan, the commander of the 27th Infantry Regiment offered David Hackworth command of a new volunteer raider unit; Hackworth created the 27th Wolfhound Raiders and led them from August to November 1951. The 27th earned ten campaign streamers and three Presidential Unit Citations. Upon conclusion of hostilities in Korea, the unit returned to Schofield Barracks.