1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment (OPFOR)
In a forward deployed environment, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment conducts combat operations replicating opposing force doctrine FM 7-100 to prepare USAREUR brigade combat teams to fight and win throughout the full spectrum of conflict. 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, aka the Warriors, plays the "OPFOR," or Opposing Force, to the training units at each rotation at the Joint Multinational Readiness Group in Hohenfels. Because they usually wear all-black battle dress uniforms, the battalion has been dubbed "the Men in Black," but depending on the type of rotation, they might don the traditional dress of Iraq, for example. Swathed in robes, they add a realistic aura by hiding in caves or sauntering along the streets of their fabricated villages.
The Combat Maneuver Training Center was formed at Hohenfels in 1987 and is composed of the Operations Group consisting of the staff, the Observer/Controller teams and the Opposing Force, 1-4 Infantry.
The 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry has served in the defense of the United States for almost two hundred years. The battalion traces its lineage to the original Fourth United States Infantry which was formed in 1792, deactivated in 1802, and the reactivated in 1808. The reactivation was required in order to meet the growing threat posed by the Indian nations which lived on the western boundaries of the United States.
During the era of the Indian Wars, the Fourth Infantry was sent, under the leadership of William H. Harrison, into the Northeast Territories which included Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. They were sent to eliminate the threat posed by a union of Indian tribes from the surrounding area. The hostile actions of these tribes was effectively stopping settlement of this vast area. General, Harrison, who was later to become a United States President, led the Fourth Infantry and a force of volunteers into battle against the Indians at Tippecanoe. During this famous battle, the American forces completely routed the Indians. This brought peace to the area, but at a cost of 188 dead or wounded soldiers.
Within months after Tippecanoe, the Fourth Infantry marched into Canada in the opening days of the War of 1812. The first engagement for the Fourth Infantry during this war with England was during a resupply mission near what is now Detroit, Michigan. The Fourth Infantry was ambushed by a far superior force of British troops and their Indian allies. Responding to the enemy initiative the Fourth Infantry soldiers attacked the enemy breastworks and positions, wounded the famous Indian chief Tecumseh, and completely routed the attackers.
Although never defeated in battle, the Fourth Infantry was surrendered as part of a larger force later during the War of 1812 by the Commanding Officer, General Hull. The general was later court-martialed and found guilty of personal cowardice and neglect of duty. The Fourth Infantry colors, which were taken by the British, were reported displayed in the Tower of London until 1889.
In 1813, after their release as part of a prisoner exchange with the British, the Fourth Infantry took part in the battles of Le Cole Hill and then Plattsburg in 1814. Thus, they regained their honor which had previously been relinquished by General Hull.
At the Conclusion of the War of 1812, Congress demanded, and got, a vast reduction in strength of the United States Army. Many of the infantry regiments were consolidated in order to realize a smaller number of regimental organizations. The Fourth Infantry, along with five other regiments, was reduced in strength and then formed as the Fifth Infantry Regiment in 1815. Due to the complicated process by which the Historical Department of the Army determines a unit's history and lineage, the Warriors Battalion's colors do not bear the streamers of some of the battles it participated in before 1815. Making it even more confusing, the Fifth Infantry then consolidated three more regiments, the Twelfth, the Fourteenth and the Twentieth, to form the Fourth Infantry. The present Fourth Infantry is an outgrowth of this consolidation.
In the 1820s, American settlers were pushing south into the southeastern areas of the country. The Creek and Seminole Indian tribes were attempting to stop this settlement of their homesteads. The Fourth Infantry was commanded by General Andrew Jackson, a future president, and was selected to stop the continuous engagement with these tribes. They used raids and surprise ambushes extensively in the swampy, jungle-like areas of the South. However, the Indian tribes were finally defeated. The direct result of these campaigns was that immigrants that the states of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida were opened to the influx of immigrants that were coming to America at that time.
In 1842, the regiment was ordered to its first regular post, Jefferson Barracks, in Missouri. However, war with Mexico threatened the United States in 1844, so the Fourth Infantry was moved to Western Louisiana to await orders. When the war started, the Fourth Infantry sailed for Corpus Christi, Texas (then part of Mexico), as part of General Zackary Taylor's invasion force. The regiment took part in all the major battles of the Mexican War: Palo Alto, Vera Cruz, Monterey, and Chaputtepec, to name just a few. General Ulysses S. Grant was another of the several future presidents who serve with the Fourth Infantry during this war. He was to remember his service in the Fourth Infantry later during his command of the Union forces in the Civil War.
At the conclusion of the war, the Fourth Infantry was transferred to New York, and spread out along the Great Lakes. The Fourth Infantry performed garrison and guard duties until 1852 when once again expanding America looked to the Fourth Infantry for aid in the western settlements. The Fourth Infantry was ordered to the Pacific Coast. Since there was no other transportation, the regiment traveled by ship to Panama; and then crossing on foot to the Pacific side. By the time the regiment reached Benicia on the western side, disease had killed one officer and one hundred and six soldiers.
On arrival on the Pacific Coast, the regiment was distributed among many small forts and outposts. Hopkins, Humbelt, Boise, Reading, Yashill, Oxford, Walla Walla, and Vancouver Barracks are just a few of the outposts, now long forgotten. In the 1850s, the regiment played a major part in the suppression of the Indian tribes of Oregon and Washington. While no really large battles were fought, many fierce skirmishes with the Indians marked the opening days of the areas settlement.
At the close of the northwestern Indian Wars, three companies of the Fourth Infantry reinforced a company of the Ninth Infantry in occupying the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington. These islands were then claimed by the British.
In 1861, the Fourth Infantry returned to Washington D.C., to become part of the garrison in the defense of the Capitol.
The regiment's first engagement of the Civil War was in 1862 during the Siege of Yorktown. Among other actions, the Fourth Infantry participated in the Battles of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Gettysburg, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Cedar Mountain. It was also present at Appomattox for Lee's surrender. The former Lieutenant U.S. Grant, then commanding the armies of the Union, never forgot the Fourth Infantry with which he had served in Mexico and the many Indian wars. As recognition of its valor during the Civil War, he named the Fourth Infantry as the guard unit at his headquarters for the surrender ceremony.
In 1867, the regiment again came west to deal with hostile Indian tribes. It fought with General Cook's Little Big Horn Expedition and then after 1882, assumed garrison duties in the Pacific Northwest.
In 1898, the Spanish-American War started. The Fourth Infantry became part of a large American force that went to Tampa, Florida, prior to sailing for Cuba. It participated in the Battle of El Caney and in the occupation of Santiago. Tropical fever disseminated the command, and when the campaign ended, the Fourth Infantry returned to New York to recruit new troops.
Again at full strength in 1899, the regiment sailed for Manila, the capitol of the Philippines, where the Algerian War still raged. The Fourth Infantry was the first Army infantry unit to cross the Atlantic Ocean. In the Algerian War the Fourth Infantry or units of it fought in the Battles of La Loma Church, Mariquima, Dismarineas, Imus, Puerto Julien, and throughout the Philippines. After capturing the enemy's general, the regiment set sail and returned to San Francisco.
After another tour in the Philippines, 1903-1905, the regiment returned to Wyoming to stop a Ute Indian uprising. This battle was the last of its Indian campaigns. Then in 1908, the Fourth Infantry again returned for garrison duty in the Philippines and remained there for five years.
Trouble with Mexico caused the regiment to be stationed on the Texas border in 1913; and in 1914 it took part in the occupation of Vera Cruz. The regiment camped an the same grounds as it had in the Mexican War of 1847.
In 1917 when the United States entered World War I, the Fourth Infantry was stationed at Fort Brown, Texas. After recruiting and extensive training, it left for France in 1918. At this time, the German Army was at its peak and the Allied Forces were staggering under its blows. The Fourth Infantry disembarked at Brest, France, in 1918, prepared to do battle. The entire regiment was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for participation in the defensive actions at Aisne, Chateau, Thierry, Chapagne-Marne, and in the offensive actions at Aisne, St Michael, and Meusse-Argonne.
Having lost almost 80 percent of its men due to constant artillery fire, the regiment was relieved by the Sixtieth Infantry for a rest period. During this rest period, the German Army surrendered and World War I was ended. The fourth Infantry served as part of the Army of Occupation until 1919. Returning to the States, the regiment was divided by sending battalions to Fort Wright, Washington; Fort Missoula, Montana; and Fort Lawton, Washington.
In 1940, the regiment was earmarked for the formation of the Alaska Defense Command. The First Battalion, Fourth Infantry arrived at Seward, Alaska, the same month France fell to the German Army. The rest of the regiment arrived shortly after and started building Ft. Richardson. The Japanese, looking toward a future invasion of Alaska, started building up forces on the southern-most Alaskan Islands. The major battle of the war for the Fourth Infantry was the Battle of Attu, a Japanese occupied island. On Attu Isand, the First Battalion fought the Japanese at altitudes of 2000 feet on snow covered mountains. After five straight days of strong enemy position, the First Battalion hooked up with other American forces who had landed on the opposite side of the island. After a day's rest, the First Battalion was given the task of clearing entrenched Japanese defenders from the high peaks of Fish hook Ridge. Covered only by mortar and machine gun fire, troops of Company A scaled the steep cliffs while facing heavy enemy fire. Observers watching the action from a distance were fascinated by the spectacle. Small groups of soldiers were clearly visible as they slowly inched their way up to the enemy held peaks. One observer later said that the scene resembled a Hollywood adventure movie rather than the reality it was. Many were wounded or killed, but the Battalion took the peaks; and for all practical purposes, the Japanese were defeated in that sector of the battle. The Presidential Unit Citation was awarded to Company A for its heroism during the attack on the peaks.
The next day, the American invasion force engaged and defeated 1,000 Japanese in a suicide attack near Sarana Valley. This was the last engagement with the Japanese for the regiment. The Japanese had been driven from Alaska's Aleutian Islands, and the Fourth Infantry had accomplished its mission, an anti-armor company, and a very large Headquarters and Headquarters Company.
In 1943, the Fourth Infantry returned to the United States and remained at Ft. Lewis, Washington, for one year. Then in 1944, it was transferred to Ft. Benning, Georgia, where it acted as demonstration troops for the Infantry School.
In 1945, the Fourth Infantry moved to Japan as part of the Army of Occupation along with the Twenty-Fifth Infantry Division. In 1948, the regiment moved back to Ft. Lewis, Washington, as part of the Seventy-First Infantry Division. In 1956, the regiment was made part of the Fourth Regimental Combat Team and assigned to Ft. Benning, Georgia. Then in 1957, the Army adopted a concept which favored smaller, more mobile battle groups. Therefore, as the Second Battle Group, The Fourth Infantry Regiment sailed for duty in Germany in 1958. At ceremonies in Bamberg, Germany, 24 May 1958, the Fourth Infantry accepted its new NATO mission.
In 1965, the First Battalion of the Fourth Infantry joined the Third Brigade of the Third Infantry Division in Aschaffenburg.
In May 1983, the First Battalion of the Fourth Infantry began to reorganize to the Division 86 concept under the Army of Excellence Program. This caused the Battalion to expand to four rifle companies.
In May 1984, the First Battalion of the Fourth Infantry began to transition to the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The transition was completed in August 1984 and the First Battalion of the Fourth Infantry was part of a full modernized, lethal fighting force equipped with the finest equipment available.
The 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, was reactivated in 1990 and assigned to the 7th Army Training Command as the Opposing Forces battalion for Army units stationed in Europe as well as international military units. OPFOR missions include: conduct an attack, conduct a defense, and conduct insurgent operations. OPFOR capabilities include: organic anti-tank fires, area and zone reconnaissance, employment of combat security outposts, air-mobile operations, deliberate and hasty breaches, insurgent cell replication, complex ambushes, and IED attacks. The battalion is manned by tankers as well as infantrymen, along with all other MOSs in a normal battalion sized organization. 1-4 Infantry’s fame is well known throughout USAREUR as THE unit to beat.
The battalion has trained units deploying to Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraqi, and Afghanistan during High Intensity Conflict Rotations, and Mission Readiness Exercises. Additionally, the battalion has deployed forces to other countries to take part in training exercises to include the training of security forces for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
In addition to its OPFOR mission the battalion has the same training requirements as other infantry battalions in the Army. The battalion executes squad external evaluations, tank gunnery, AT gunnery, MOUT training, marksmanship training, and live fire exercises. In the last two years, by late 2006 this Infantry Battalionhas had also deployed on three separate company level rotations in support of OEF / ISAF under the Tactical Command of a Romanian Infantry Battalion.
In August of 2004 the battalion deployed Company A to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Team Apache served with distinction as the only US force in the International Security Assistance Force from August to December 2004. TF 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment was the operation force for Seventh Army Training Command and the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during the first democratic Afghan national election.
Team Apache was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) for its outstanding performance of duty. The MUC citation reads: During the period of 31 August to 12 December 2004, Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry distinguished themselves while in support of the International Security Assistance Force operations led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Afghanistan. They provided superb support to coalition forces supporting a safe and successful Afghanistan National Presidential Election. Throughout the operation the company performed as a lethal, responsive, and relevant combat force directly responsible for supporting security and stabilization forces in theater. Their ability to respond to crisis was superb. Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry’s efforts reflect great credit upon themselves, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the United States Army.
In August of 2005 the battalion deployed Company D to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Team Dragon was used as a Force Protection Company for the newly formed Afghanistan elections. Team Dragon was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation for its outstanding performance of duty. After a successful mission most of Team Dragon returned November of 2006.
Army Pfc. James J. Arellano was deployed to Iraq in November 2005 with the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. While on a foot patrol south of Baghdad on Aug. 17, 2006, Arellano encountered insurgents using IED and small-arms fire. Arellano stepped on an IED; the explosion severely injured the soldier. He died from injuries sustained from the blast. For his work while in Iraq, Arellano was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge on Aug. 30, 2006.
On 9 October 2005 two Signal Support System Specialists were deployed from HHC, attached to 5th Corp, and stationed Djibouti, Africa, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Both acted as Radio Operators for the J-6 Communications Detachment. The Radio Operators were attached to Field Intelligence, Civil Affairs, Force Protection, and Range Control teams. The two soldiers received Joint Service Achievement Medals. Both soldiers returned on the 24th of October 2006.
Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade, returned from deployment in Afghanistan in November 2005. Team Delta Dragon left Hohenfels in September. Though they normally served as Opposing Forces at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, they left OPFOR duties behind for a real-world mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. There, they assisted with security for elections as part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force.
Army Spc. Isaiah Calloway, 23, of Jacksonville, Fla., died 30 October 2006 in Marah, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small-arms fire. Calloway was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Hohenfels, Germany. These soldiers deployed returned in January 2007.
Another company from the battalion left for Afghanistan on 10 January 2007. Pfc. Conor Masterson, 21, of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., died 07 April 2007 in Eastern Afghanistan of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Masterson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Hohenfels, Germany. Pfc. Zachary R. Endsley, 21, of Spring, Texas, died 23 July 2007 in Arghendab District, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Hohenfels, Germany.
