2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry
"Wolfhounds"
The 27th Infantry Regiment (Wolfhounds) was organized on 2 February 1901 and saw its first combat action while serving as part of the American Force sent to quell the Philippine Insurrection on the Island of Mindanao.
During World War 1, the 27th Infantry served in the American Expeditionary Force sent to Siberia in 1918, This campaign has become an integral part of unit's history. The tenacious pursuit tactics of the regiment won the respect of the Bolsheviks, hence earning the name Wolfhounds. This emblem continues to serve as the symbol of the 27th Infantry Regiment.
On 1 March 1921, the 27th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the Hawaiian Division. It served proudly in the Hawaiian Division for over twenty years until it was relieved on 26 August 1941, and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. After seeing extensive action in the Pacific theater during World War 11 and the ensuing occupation of Japan, the 27th Infantry Regiment earned the nickname "Gentle Wolfhounds" for their loving support of the Holy Family Orphanage.
Occupation duties were cut short in July 1950 when the 27th Infantry departed for Pusan, Korea, to assist in holding the Pusan perimeter at the onset of the Korean conflict. The unit saw heavy action throughout the Korean conflict, earning ten Campaign Streamers and three Presidential Unit Citations. Upon conclusion of hostilities in Korea, the unit returned to Schofield Barracks.
The 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry entered the Vietnam conflict in January 1966. During their five-year stay in Vietnam, the unit earned two valorous unit citations, and proved to be one of the last 25th Infantry Division units to return home. The Regiment did finally return to Hawaii in April 1971.
On 10 July 1987, the 2nd Battalion was relieved from their assignment to the 25th Infantry Division, and assigned to the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, California. During their tour at Fort Ord, the Battalion deployed to Panama in support of Operation "Just Cause". On 15 September 1993, the Battalion was inactivated and relieved from assignment to the 7th Infantry Division.
The 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry was again activated on 31 August 1995, and this unit again carries proudly its thirty battle streamers and twelve unit citations on its colors. The motto "Nec Aspera Terrent" translates to "No Fear on Earth."
Both battalions of the 27th Infantry have entered the 50th year of the regiment's relationship with the children and staff of the Holy Family Home Orphanage, Osaka, Japan. During Christmas 1949, Wolfhounds visited the orphanage to deliver gifts and hold a Christmas party for the children. Recognizing the needs of the children, and the then-limited capacity for self-help in postwar Japan, the regiment turned what was to have been a one-time occurrence into flow of supplies, food, building materials, medical assistance, and most importantly, love from American soldiers and their families to the orphans. Soldiers from 1st and 2nd Battalions return to Japan every Christmas, and two children from the orphanage have visited Schofield Barracks annually since 1957. The relationship was recognized by Hollywood in 1956 when members of the regiment were profiled in the movie, "Three Stripes In The Sun," starring Aldo Ray.
