California Militia and National Guard Unit Histories
History of the 185th Infantry Regiment
Compiled and Edited by Sgt Maj Dan Sebby
 
 
 
The history of the 185th Infantry Regiment is a complex one. The area covered by the regiment covered the southern half of the San Joaquin Valley and the Inland Empire as well as Los Angeles (less the City of Los Angeles), Orange and San Diego Counties. These is much confusion because of the simultaneous organizations with the that shared the heritage of the pre-1946 185th Infantry Regiment. This included the battalions of the 185th Armor and Infantry Regiment and the 185th Armor Group (later the 185th Transportation and later Quartermaster Battalion). After World War II, force structure decisions were made by individual who didn't fully understand the National Guard lineage and honors system, this led to the multitude of units bearing the number, "185th". This history explores the total picture of the 185th Armored and Infantry Regiments, not just those units listed on the latest official Army produced lineage and honors certificate for the 185th Infantry Regiment. The official date is included toward the end of this history.
 

7th Infantry Battalion and Regiment, National Guard of California, 1885 - 1917

On 22 July 1885, the 7th Infantry Battalion was constituted in the California National Guard by consolidating existing companies in Los Angeles and San Diego. On 5 May 1888, the 7th Infantry Battalion was expanded, reorganized, and redesignated as the 7th Infantry Regiment. On 7 November 1895 the 7th Infantry Regimen was consolidated with the 9th Infantry Regiment, which had been organized on 8 February 1890 in the National Guard of California, and the consolidated unit was designated as the 7th Infantry Regiment.
 
 
Spanish American War, 1898

On 9 May 1898, the 7th Infantry Regiment was mustered into federal service at the Presidio of San Francisco, California, as the 7th Infantry Regiment, California U.S. Volunteers. On 2 December 1898, the regiment mustered out of federal service at Los Angeles.
 
 
Mexican Border Service and World War I, 1916-1919

On 29 June 1916, the 7th Infantry Regiment was mustered into federal service for duty on the Mexican Birder at Sacramento. On 11 November 1916, the regiment was mustered out of federal service at Los Angeles. On 5 August 1917, the 7th Infantry Regiment was drafted into federal service. From 25 September 1917 through 1 November 1917, the 7th Infantry Regiment was consolidated with the 2nd Battalion, Companies L and M, and the Sanitary Detachment of Northern California's 2nd Infantry Regiment. The consolidated unit was reorganized and redesignated as the 160th Infantry Regiment and assigned to the 40th Division.
 
Upon arriving in France, the 40th Division was reorganized into the 6th Depot Division and it members used as replacement for other division. Members of the regiment participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in 1918 and the Battle of St. Mihiel. During the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, members of the regiment served with a composite battalion under the 77th Division's 308th Infantry Regiment that became known as the "Lost Battalion". Of the battalion's 554 men, only 194 were present when the 77th Division reestablished contact with them and most of those were wounded. 107 solders were killed in action, 63 were missing and 190 captured by the Germans. Santa Ana's Captain Nelson Holderman, a member of Company L, 160th Infantry Regiment, was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Lost Battalion action.
 
 
The Inter-War Period, 1919-1941
 
From 23 August 1921 through 6 October 1921, the former southern California elements were reconstituted and reorganized as the 160th Infantry and assigned to the 40th Division in the California National Guard, with headquarters at Los Angeles. On 31 January 1922, the 160th Infantry Regiment was federally recognized.
 
On 1 April 1929, the 2nd Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment was withdrawn, reorganized, and redesignated as the 2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment, an element of the 40th Division. Concurrently, the 160th Infantry Regiment reorganized with a new 2nd Battalion.
 
From March through April 1930, the 2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment expanded and reorganized as the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 185th Infantry Regiment.
 
 
World War II, 1941-1946

On 3 March 1941, the 160th and 185th Infantry Regiments, forming the 80th Infantry Brigade of the 40th Division, were inducted into federal service at home stations. The brigade then moved to its mobilization station at the newly redesignated and enlarged Camp San Luis Obispo. In February 1942, the 40th Division was reorganized from at "square" division of four intantry regiments organized into two infantry brigades into a "triangular" division of three infantry regiments (159th, 160th and 185th Infantry Regiments)..
 
The 40th Infantry Division's first overseas assignment was the defense of outer islands of Hawaii, where it arrived in September 1942. Training continued as defensive positions were improved and maintained. In July 1943 the Division was concentrated on Oahu, and relieved the 24th of the defense of the North Sector. Relieved of the North Sector in October 1943, the 40th entered upon a period of intensive amphibious and jungle training.
 
On 20 December 1943, the first units left for Guadalcanal, and by mid-January 1944, movement was completed, and the Division prepared for its first combat assignment. On 24 April 1944, it left Guadalcanal for New Britain. The regiments of the division took positions at Talasea on the northern side of the island, at Arawe on the southern side, and at Gape Gloucester near the western end. Neutralization of the enemy was effected by patrols. No major battle was fought. Heavy rain and mud were constant problems. The 40th was relieved of missions on New Britain, 27 November, and began training for the Luzon landing.
 
Sailing from Borgen Bay, 9 December 1944, the Division made an assault landing at Lingayen, Luzon, under command of XIV Corps, on 9 January 1945. Seizing Lingayen airfield, the Division occupied Bolinao Peninsula and San Miguel, and advanced toward Manila, running into heavy fighting in the Fort Stotsenburg area and the Bambam Hills. Snake Hill and Storm King Mountain were taken in February and the 40th was relieved, 2 March. Leaving Luzon, 15 March, 1945, to cut behind the Japanese, the Division landed on Panay Island on the 18th and knocked out Japanese resistance within 10 days, seizing airfields at Santa Barbara and Mandurriao. On 29 March, it landed at Pulupandan, Negros, advanced through Bacolod toward Talisay, which it secured by 2 April 1945. After mopping up on Negros Island, the Division returned to Panay in June and July 1945. In September 1945, the Division moved to Korea for occupation duty.
 
On 7 April 1946, the 160th and 185th Infantry Regiments were inactivated at Camp Stoneman at Pittsburg, California.
 
 
Post War Period, 1946-1950
 
The regiment was relieved on 25 June 1946 from assignment to the 40th Infantry Division, it was assigned on 5 August 1946 to the 49th Infantry Division.
 
On 5 August 1946, the 185th Infantry Regiment expanded and reorganized, with the 2nd and 3rd Battalions redesignated as the 223rd and 224th Infantry Regiments and assigned to the 40th Infantry Division.
On 14 October 1946, the 160th Infantry was reorganized and federally recognized with headquarters at Los Angeles.
 
On 15 October 1946, the 223rd Infantry and 224th Infantry were organized and federally recognized with headquarters at Pasadena and Ontario, respectively.
 
The 185th Infantry Regiment was reorganized and federally recognized on 18 November 1946, with headquarters at Fresno, and a new 2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment was organized from existing units with the 980th Field Artillery Battalion was reorganized, redesignated and federally recognized on 24 August 1947 as the new 3rd Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment.
 
 
Korean War, 1950-1954

On 1 September 1950, the 40th Infantry Division was again called into active federal service for the Korean War. Shipping out of Oakland and San Francisco, California in late March 1951, the division deployed to Japan for training. For the next nine months, they participated in amphibious, air transportability, and live fire training from Mount Fuji to Sendai. On 23 December, the division received alert orders to move to Korea. The division moved to Korea in January 1952. After additional training, the division moved north in February 1952, where it relieved the 24th Infantry Division on the battle line. At the time the division consisted of the 160th, 223rd, and 224th Infantry Regiments, and smaller non-regiment-sized units.

In Korea, the 40th Infantry Division participated in the battles of Sandbag Castle and Heartbreak Ridge. In these campaigns, the division suffered 1,180 casualties, including 311 who were killed in action, and 47 who later died from wounds received in action.[1] Total division casualties in Korea included 376 killed in action, 1,457 wounded in action, and 47 dead of wounds. After the division was sent back to Japan, its time in Korea was commemorated by the commissioning of a punchbowl created by a local silversmith, by some accounts made up of the melted down Combat Infantryman Badges of the divisions veterans, with the geography of Heartbreak Ridge etched inside the bowl. It was used at ceremonial functions until it was stolen, and was subsequently bought at a garage sale by a married couple, who kept it for 18 years. It was then recovered and is now displayed at the Headquarters of the 40th Infantry Division, Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, and is registered in the National Archives.
 
Three members of the division's 223rd Infantry Regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Korean War: David B. Bleak, Gilbert G. Collier and Clifton T. Speicher. David Hackworth did a combat tour as company commander of E Company (Heavy Weapons) 1st Battalion 223rd Infantry Regiment and F Company 2nd Battalion 223rd Infantry Regiment in Korea with the division, when it was under the command of Major General Joseph P. Cleland.
 
As National Guardsmen were returned home the were assigned to mirror units in California, the 160th, 223rd and 224th Infantry Regiments (NGUS).
 
The 185th Infantry Regiment remained in the California National Guard's 49th Infantry Division during this period
 
 
Early Cold War, 1954-1959
 
On 30 June 1954, the three regiments were released from active federal service and reverted to state control. Federal recognition of 223rd Infantry (NGUS), 224th Infantry (NGUS) and 160th Infantry (NGUS) was concurrently withdrawn.
 
On 1 July 1954, the units underwent the changes described below that are germane to the lineage of the 185th Armor Regiment. For more information regarding the lineage of the other elements, refer to their respective lineage.
223rd Infantry Regiment: The 2nd battalion, 223rd Infantry Regiment was withdrawn and consolidated with the 3rd Battalion, 111th Armored Cavalry (organized and federally recognized 26 January 1951 with headquarters at Van Nuys). The consolidated unit reorganized and redesignated as the 139th Tank Battalion, an element of the 40th Armored Division, with headquarters at Burbank.
 
224th Infantry Regiment: The 2nd battalion, 224th Infantry Regiment, was withdrawn, reorganized, and redesignated as the 133rd Tank Battalion, an element of the 40th Armored Division, with headquarters at Riverside.
 
160th Infantry Regiment:. The 3rd battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment was withdrawn, reorganized, and redesignated as the 111th Reconnaissance Battalion, an element of the 40th Armored Division, with headquarters at Inglewood.
 
 
On 1 July 1959, the 185th Armor Regiment was created under the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS) as an element of the 40th Armored Division by consolidating the following units: 133rd and 139th Tank Battalions, 111th Reconnaissance Battalion, and 140th and 134th Tank Battalions. The lineage of the 140th and 134th Tank Battalions is described below.
140th Tank Battalion: On 3 December 1941, Company A, 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion was constituted in the Army of the United States. On 19 December 1941, the company was activated at Camp San Luis Obispo, California, with personnel from the 143rd Field Artillery, California National Guard. On 13 January 1946, the company was inactivated at Camp Anza, California. On 15 March 1949, the company was reorganized and federally recognized in the California Army National Guard as the 140th Heavy Tank Battalion with headquarters at Barstow and assigned to the 40th Infantry Division (later redesignated as the 40th Armored Division). On 1 September 1950, the battalion was ordered into active federal service at home stations. On 2 September 1952, the battalion was reorganized and federally recognized as the 140th Tank Battalion with headquarters at Barstow. On 14 April 1953, the headquarters was relocated to Pasadena. On 30 June 1954, the battalion was released from active federal service and reverted to state control; concurrently, federal recognition was withdrawn.
 
134th Tank Battalion. On 13 July 1946, the 109th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized was constituted in the California National Guard. On 18 September 1947, the squadron was organized and federally recognized as the 109th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron with headquarters at Imperial. On 15 September 1949, the squadron was reorganized and redesignated as the 1st Battalion, 111th Armored Cavalry. On 15 December 1950, the headquarters was relocated to El Centro. On 1 July 1954, the battalion was reorganized and redesignated as the 134th Tank Battalion and assigned to the 40th Armored Division.
 
 
 
Late Cold War, 1959–2001
 
185th Armor Regiment:

On 1 May 1962, the 6th and 7th Medium Tank Battalions were added to the regiment through a reorganization.
 
On 1 March 1963, the 3rd Medium Tank Battalion was added and the 7th Medium Tank Battalion was removed from the regiment through a reorganization.
 
On 15 March 1964, the 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron was removed from the regiment through a reorganization.
 
On 29 January 1968, the regiment was reorganized to include three battalions (1st, 2nd and 3rd) of the 185th Armor Regiment, an element of the 40th Armored Brigade.
 
On 13 January 1974, the regiment and its three battalions were assigned as an element of the 40th Infantry Division (Mechanized).
 
On 1 May 1992, the regiment was ordered into active federal service at home stations for the Los Angeles Riots and released on 9 May 1992.
 
185th Infantry Regiment
 
The regiment was reorganized on 1 May 1959 under the "Pentomic" concept to consist of the 1st Battle Group, an element of the 49th Infantry Division. On 1 March 1963 it was reorganized under the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS) to consist of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, elements of the 49th Infantry Division. The 2nd Battalion was relieved on 4 December 1965 from assignment to the 49th Infantry Division and assigned to the 49th Separate Infantry Brigade.
 
The unit was reorganized on 1 May 1959 as the 185th Infantry, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System, to consist of the 1st Battle Group, an element of the 49th Infantry Division; on 1 March 1963 to consist of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, elements of the 49th Infantry Division. The Battle Group Headquarters and Headquarters Company was reorganized and redesignated on 1 March 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 49th Infantry Division, here after a separate lineage
 
Due to reorganization effective 29 January 1968, the 1st Battalion cease to exist as part of the 185th Infantry Regiment. With the reorganization of the 40th Separate Infantry Brigade into the 49th Military Police Brigade in 1976, the 2nd Battalion was also reorganized out of existence.
 
 
Global War on Terrorism, 2001- 2016
 
185th Armor Regiment
 
2004-2005, Iraq: In early 2004, the 1st Battalion was mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 08-09 as part of the Washington's 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team. The battalion was responsible for security for three bases south of Baghdad and corresponding route security along main supply routes between Baghdad and Kuwait. The battalion returned to California in March 2005. Company B, 1st Battalion received a Valorous Unit Award for actions as part of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division in early 2005 as part of operations in support of Iraq's first elections after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
 
2005-2006, Iraq: In September 2005, the 2nd Battalion’s Company B was mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In Iraq, Company B was responsible for the security of more than 2,200 detainees at Baghdad Central Prison (formerly known as Abu Ghraib) until June 2006 when the camp was closed. During their time at the prison, Company B soldiers foiled several escape attempts. Upon the closure of the prison, it was then the responsibility of the unit to transport approximately 5,000 detainees to various holding facilities throughout Iraq. Following that mission, Company B soldiers were responsible for convoy security and operational control of a forward operating base where the company’s convoy team operated without any coalition or civilian casualties for more than 10,000 miles. In December 2006, Company B demobilized at Fort Lewis, Washington before returning to San Diego, California.
 
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 185th Armor Regiment received one Iraq Campaign streamer with the inscription, "NATIONAL RESOLUTION". Company B also received a Meritorious Unit Commendation as part of the 43rd Military Police Brigade, Rhode Island Army National Guard.
 
2008-2009, Iraq: In August 2008, the 1st Battalion, less Company A, was mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 08-09, again as part of the 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team. As part of the mobilization, Company A was attached to the 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment (Second California) to provide the only mechanized infantry company for their mobilization for Operation JOINT GUARDIAN in Kosovo. In turn, the 1st Battalion was augmented with Companies A and B from the 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment. After mobilization, the first battalion completed training in Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, and arrived in Iraq in October 2008.
 
While in Iraq, the Company E, 1st Battalion and Companies A and B, 184th Infantry Regiment were attached to the Tennessee Army National Guard's 30th Support Battalion.
 
The remainder of the 1st Battalion performed a security force mission throughout Multi-National Division-North (MBD-N) at Combat Operating Base (COB) Speicher near Tikrit, Iraq. With the battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Company providing command and control, the three companies provided convoy security support to corps assets, which included coalition force operational moves, Kellogg Brown and Root, (KBR) and third country national logistical convoys. The 1st Battalion executed more than 1,500 missions, totaling more than 1,000,000 mission miles, throughout MND-N and Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) without incident. In August 2009, the 1st Battalion returned to California.
 
The 1st Battalion's Companies B, C, D and E received two Iraq Campaign streamers with the inscriptions: "IRAQI SURGE" and "IRAQI SOVEREIGNTY" and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
 
2008-09, Kosovo: In October 2008, the 1st Battalion's Company A was mobilized under the command of the 184th Infantry Regiment (Second California) for a deployment to Kosovo as part of the 40th Infantry Division as the only mechanized infantry company. The company mobilized ahead of other units and conducted most of its training separate from its parent unit, because of the need for specialized gunnery training on the company's Bradley vehicles. This training was conducted at Fort Irwin in November and Camp Shelby in December.[19] Once the gunnery training was completed, the company traveled to Camp Atterbury to join its parent unit to complete the required training. The company traveled to Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) Hohenfels, Germany, for additional training, before arriving in Kosovo in February. The company was utilized as one of three maneuver companies tasked with providing a safe and secure environment and ensuring freedom of movement in accordance with United Nations Resolution 1244. While accomplishing this mission, the company also was required to both maintain their Bradley Fighting Vehicles as well as their proficiency with using them. In November 2009, the company departed Kosovo to conduct demobilization operations at Fort Lewis, Washington and returned to California a few weeks later.
 
While the battalion did not receive campaign participation credit, those Soldiers who served with Company A during this deployment received the Kosovo Campaign Medal and the NATO Non-Article 5 Medal.
 
185th Infantry Regiment
 
Following the events of 11 September 2001 multiple national guard units were raised and activated for various reasons. The 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment was no different with the regiment activated for Operation NOBLE EAGLE, when it was assigned to guard military bases, airports, and other possible targets of opportunity. In late 2003 the 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment was activated again, this time in the wake of the Invasion of Iraq. This is not to be confused with the activation of the 1st Battalion, 185th Armor Regiment, which was activated at the same time. In 2005, the unit returned from active duty. In 2006, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion was activated, and was deployed to Camp Bucca, Iraq for a year.
 
During the 2006–2007 deployment when the regiment's only death, as of June 2009, occurred. Specialist Dennis L. Sellen, posthumously promoted to sergeant, was killed while attached to 16th Military Police Brigade due to an accidental discharge of a firearm by a fellow soldier.
 
In early 2007, Company C of the 1st Battalion was mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM under the command of 1st Battalion, 143rd Field Artillery Regiment of the California Army National Guard. After completing training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the company moved to Camp Slayer in Baghdad, Iraq and conducted force protection, convoy security, and military police missions throughout the country. During their six months in Iraq, they completed over 250 successful combat missions, including the care and custody of over 2,000 detainees and escorting numerous high-profile detainees to Iraqi courts in Baghdad. On 22 February 2008, the company transferred responsibility to Company C, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment of the Oklahoma Army National Guard. On 6 March 2008, the company returned to Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos. The company received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for their service pursuant to Department of the Army Permanent Orders 272-43 dated 29 September 2009.
 
The battalion was disbanded in 2008.
 
 
2016-Present
 
On 2 February 2016, the 1st Battalion, 185th Armor Regiment was redesignated as 1st Battalion,185th Infantry Regiment, due to the transition of the 81st Armored Brigade Combat Team to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team. This unit inherits the lineage of the 185th Armor Regiment and is not connected with the post-1946 185th Infantry Regiment.
 
 
 
Lineage and Honors, 31 May 2018
 
Constituted 22 July 1885 in the California National Guard as the 7th Infantry Battalion and organized from existing companies at Los Angeles and San Diego.
 
Expanded, reorganized, and redesignated 5 May 1888 as the 7th Infantry Regiment.
 
Consolidated 7 November 1895 with the 9th Infantry Regiment (organized 8 February 1890 in the California National Guard) and consolidated unit designated as the 7th Infantry Regiment.
 
Mustered into Federal service 9 May 1898 at the Presidio of San Francisco, California, as the 7th California Volunteer Infantry; mustered out of Federal service 2 December 1898 at Los Angeles.
 
Mustered into Federal service 29 June 1916 at Sacramento; mustered out of Federal service 11 November 1916 at Los Angeles.
 
Drafted into Federal service 5 August 1917.
 
Consolidated 25 September-1 November 1917 with the 2nd Battalion, Companies L and M, and Sanitary Detachment, 2nd Infantry Regiment; consolidated unit reorganized and redesignated as the 160th Infantry and assigned to the 40th Division.
 
Demobilized 7 May 1919 at Camp Kearny, California.
 
Former southern California elements reconstituted and reorganized 23 August- 6 October 1921 in the California National Guard as the 160th Infantry and assigned to the 40th Division; Headquarters Federally recognized 31 January 1922 at Los Angeles.
 
2nd Battalion, 160th Infantry, withdrawn, reorganized, and redesignated 1 April 1929 as the 2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry, an element of the 40th Division (later redesignated as the 40th Infantry Division); 160th Infantry concurrently reorganized with a new 2nd Battalion.
 
After 1 April 1929 the above units underwent changes as follows:
2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry, expanded and reorganized March-April 1930 as the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 185th Infantry

Inducted into Federal service 3 March 1941 at home stations Inactivated 7 April 1946 at Camp Stoneman, California

Expanded and reorganized 5 August 1946 as the 223rd and 224th Infantry and assigned to the 40th Infantry Division (185th Infantry later reorganized with new 2nd and 3rd Battalions - hereafter separate lineage).
 
After 5 August 1946 the 223rd and 224th Infantry underwent changes as follows:
223rd Infantry organized and Federally recognized 15 October 1946 with Headquarters at Pasadena.

Ordered Into active Federal service 1 September 1950 at home stations.

(223rd Infantry [NGUS] organized and Federally recognized 2 September 1952 with Headquarters at Pasadena).

Released 30 June 1954 from active Federal service and reverted to state control; Federal recognition concurrently withdrawn from the 223rd Infantry (NGUS).

2nd Battalion withdrawn 1 July 1954 and consolidated with the 3rd Battalion, 111th Armored Cavalry (organized and Federally recognized 26 January 1951 with Headquarters at Van Nuys); consolidated unit.

Reorganized and redesignated as the 139th Tank Battalion, an element of the 40th Armored Division, with Headquarters at Burbank (remainder of 223rd Infantry - hereafter separate lineage).
 
224th Infantry organized and Federally recognized 15 October 1946 with Headquarters at Ontario.

Ordered Into active Federal service 1 September 1950 at home stations (223rd Infantry [NGUS] organized and Federally recognized 2 September 1952 with Headquarters at Ontario).

Released 30 June 1954 from active Federal service and reverted to state control; Federal recognition concurrently withdrawn from the 223rd Infantry (NGUS).

2nd. Battalion withdrawn 1 July 1954, reorganized, and redesignated as the 133d Tank Battalion, an element of the 40th Armored Division, with Headquarters at Riverside (remainder of 224th Infantry - hereafter separate lineage).
 
 
160th Infantry Inducted into Federal service 3 March 1941 at Los Angeles Relieved 1 September 1942 from assignment to the 40th Infantry Division and assigned to the 27th Infantry Division.

Relieved 30 October 1942 from assignment to the 27th Infantry Division and assigned to the 40th Infantry Division.

Inactivated 7 April 1946 at Camp Stoneman, California Reorganized and Federally recognized 14 October 1946 with Headquarters at Los Angeles.

Ordered into active Federal service 1 September 1950 at home stations (160th Infantry [NGUS] organized and Federally recognized 2 September 1952 with Headquarters at Los Angeles).

Released 30 June 1954 from active Federal service and reverted to state control; Federal recognition concurrently withdrawn from the 160th Infantry (NGUS).

3rd Battalion withdrawn, reorganized, and redesignated as the 111th Reconnaissance Battalion, an element of the 40th Armored Division, with Headquarters at Inglewood (remainder of 160th Infantry - hereafter separate lineage).
 
 
133d and 139th Tank Battalions, 111th Reconnaissance Battalion, and 140th and 134th Tank Battalions (see ANNEXES 1 and 2) consolidated, reorganized, and redesignated 1 July 1959 as the 185th Armor, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System, to consist of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Medium Tank Battalions and the 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, elements of the 40th Armored Division.
 
Reorganized 1 May 1962 to consist of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Medium Tank Battalions and the 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, elements of the 40th Armored Division, and the 6th and 7th Medium Tank Battalions.
 
Reorganized 1 March 1963 to consist of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Battalions, elements of the 40th Armored Division, and the 6th Medium Tank battalion.
 
Reorganized 1 5 March 1964 to consist of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Battalions, elements of the 40th Armored Division, and the 6th Battalion.
 
Reorganized 29 January 1968 to consist of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, elements of the 40th Armored Brigade, and the 3rd Battalion.
 
Reorganized 1 3 January 1974 to consist of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions, elements of the 40th Infantry Division.
 
Withdrawn 19 January 1988 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System with Headquarters at San Diego (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions ordered into active Federal service 1 May 1992 at home stations; released 9 May 1992 from active Federal service and reverted to state control).
 
Reorganized 1 September 1998 to consist of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, elements of the 40th Infantry Division (1).
 
(2nd Battalion ordered into active Federal service 14 May 2003 at home stations) .
 
(1st Battalion ordered into active Federal service 15 November 2003 at home stations).
(2nd Battalion released from active Federal service 12 May 2004 and reverted to state control).
 
(1st Battalion released from active Federal service 12 May 2005 and reverted to state control).
 
Reorganized 1 September 2005 to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 81st Armored Brigade Combat Team, and the 2nd Battalion, an element of the 40th Infantry Division.
 
Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 185th Armored Regiment.
 
Reorganized 1 September 2007 to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 81st Armored Brigade Combat Team (former 2nd Battalion - hereafter a separate lineage. (2)
 
Ordered into active Federal service 16 August 2008 at home stations; released from active Federal service 19 September 2009 and reverted to state control.
 
Converted and redesignated 2 February 2016 as the 185th Infantry Regiment, to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 81st Armored Brigade Combat Team. (3)
 
 
ANNEX 1
 
Constituted 3 December 1941 in the Army of the United States as Company A, 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion.
 
Activated 19 December 1941 at Camp San Luis Obispo, California, with personnel from the 143rd Field Artillery, California National Guard.
 
Inactivated 1 3 January 1946 at Camp Anza, California.
 
Reorganized and Federally recognized 15 March 1949 In the California Army National Guard as the 140th Heavy Tank Battalion with Headquarters at Barstow and assigned to the 40th Infantry Division (later redesignated as the 40th Armored Division).
 
Ordered into active Federal service 1 September 1950 at home stations (140th Tank Battalion [NGUS] organized and Federally recognized 2 September 1952 with Headquarters at Barstow; location of Headquarters changed 14 April 1953 to Pasadena).
 
Released 30 June 1954 from active Federal service and reverted to state control; Federal recognition concurrently withdrawn from the 140th Tank Battalion (NGUS).
 
 
ANNEX 2
 
Constituted 13 July 1946 in the California National Guard as the 109th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized.
 
Organized and Federally recognized 18 September 1947 as the 109th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron with Headquarters at Imperial Reorganized and redesignated 15 September 1949 as the 1st Battalion, 111th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
 
(Location of Headquarters changed 15 December 1950 to El Centro)
 
Reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1954 as the 134th Tank Battalion and assigned to the 40th Armored Division.
 
 
CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT
 
World War (160th Infantry Regiment)
Streamer without inscription
World War II (185th Infantry Regiment)
Bismarck Archipelago
Luzon (with arrowhead)
Southern Philippines (with arrowhead)
Korean War (223rd and 224th Infantry Regiments)
Second Korean Winter
Korea, Summer-Fall 1952
Third Korean Winter
Korea, Summer 1953
War on Terrorism (185th Armored Regiment)
Campaigns to be determined
 
Headquarters Company (San Bernardino), 1st Battalion, additionally entitled to:
 
World War II (980th Field Artillery Battalion)
Normandy
Northern
France
Rhineland
Ardennes-Alsace
Central Europe

DECORATIONS
 
Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered "NOJONP-YONG"
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered "IRAQ 2008-2009" (4)
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered "17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945"
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered "KOREA 1952"
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered "KOREA 1952-1953"
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA "1952-1954"

Headquarters Company (San Bernardino), 1st Battalion, additionally entitled to: Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action along the Meuse River
 
 
FOOTNOTES
 
(1) Organizational Authority (OA) 191-98, 22 October 1998.
(2) OA 39-08, 26 February 2008.
(3) OA 61-16, 12 May 2016.
(4) Headquarters Department of the Army General Order 217-20, 5 August 2010. Earned by Company E, 1st Battalion.
 
 
Heraldry of the 185th Infantry Regiment


Coat of Arms
 
Distinctive Unit Insignia
 
 
 
Design Approved: 13 July 1930

Symbolism: The Canton is silver (white), the old color of infantry, charged with the chevron from the arms of the 184th Infantry Regiment and the fleur-de-lis from the arms of the 160th Infantry Regiment, indicating decent from both organizations.

Motto: NUNQUAM NON PAPATUS (Never Unprepared)
 
 
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Updated 15 October 2018