Historical Overview of the 21st Infantry Regiment (Gimlet)

Historical Overview of the 21st Infantry Regiment (Gimlet)

The 21st Infantry has seen many firsts throughout its long and distinguished history of service to the United States of America and United States Army. The Army first constituted the regiment in 1861 as 2nd Battalion, 12th U.S. Infantry at Fort Hamilton, New York. The newly constituted infantry unit received its baptism of fire at Cedar Mountain where Private John L. Younker, Company A, 12th U.S. Infantry was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 9 August 1862. The 12th continued to fight courageously throughout the Civil War (1861 – 1865) participating in twelve campaigns. In 1866 the 2-12 U.S. Infantry was reorganized and designated the 21st U.S. Infantry Regiment. With its new designation 21st Infantry soldiers bravely participated in eight campaigns during the Indian Wars in California, Idaho, and Arizona. In 1869 officers and men of the 21st Infantry, including its band, proudly witnessed and played music during the Golden Spike Ceremony at Promontory, Utah, commemorating the joining of the two railroads on 10 May 1869. In 1898 the 21st Infantry fought with distinction in the Spanish-American War from 1899 to 1909. Gimlets of the 21st Infantry faced the enemy fearlessly in three expeditions during the Philippine Insurrection.

After three successful campaigns during the Philippine Insurrection the 21st Infantry Regiment was reassigned to Vancouver Barracks, Washington, in 1909, remaining there until World War I. During World War I, the Regiment was assigned the task of patrolling the American-Mexican border and training troops. The 21st Infantry sent 8,000 highly trained soldiers to units fighting in France, and the 21st Infantry was on orders for deployment to France when the Armistice was signed. In 1921 the Regiment moved to Schofield Barracks, where it remained until World War II. At Schofield Barracks during the years between WW I and WW II was where the 21st Infantry earned the nickname “Gimlet” as a result of the efforts by regimental athletes led by PFC Eugene Riley. They set regimental standards and traditions in maintaining superiority on the athletic field and were noted chiefly for their fighting spirit. Their motto “Duty” and battle cry of “Bore Brother Bore” exemplifies Gimlets strong will to win.

Gimlets assigned to the 24th ID stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, were the first infantry to bravely return fire against the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, and continued to engage enemy forces with a sense of ferocity throughout the Pacific phase of WW II. The 21st Infantry Regiment (Gimlet) participated in World War II from the opening battle shots, and was among the last of the Allied units to cease firing at the end of WW II. Gimlets as part of the 24th Infantry Division, one of the two divisions at Schofield Barracks when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor suffered minor casualties when their billets were strafed. The Gimlets moved to the northern side of the island and took up defensive positions. On that day the Gimlets began the long and rugged road through the Pacific en-route to Japan. After the surrender of Japan battle weary Gimlets, as part of the 24th ID, took up occupation duty in Japan from 1945 to 1950. PFC James H. Diamond* was awarded the MOH for his heroic actions at Mintal, Mindanao, Philippine Islands May 1945.

The occupation respite in Japan was short lived. On 5 July 1950 Gimlets of Task Force Smith, 1st Battalion 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th ID and augmented units, were the first U. S. Army ground combat troops sent to engage the North Korean Army. Approximately 400 gallant Gimlets of Task Force Smith dauntlessly faced a much larger, better equipped and trained North Korean Army head-on to slow the penetration of the Korean peninsula. Fearless Gimlets continued to face North Korean aggressors eventually backing them down and helping to drive them north. Two Gimlets were awarded the Medal of Honor for their gallant actions during the Korean War: SFC Ray E. Duke and PFC Mack A. Jordan

Gimlets continued to guard against tyranny after the cease fire was signed on 27 July 1953, and then deployed back to Japan. Throughout the Cold War period Gimlets stood vigilant as a global protector. In 1957 the 1st and 2nd Battalions were sent to Germany as part of the 24th ID (Mech) to replace the 11th Airborne Division. Gimlets participated in the short lived Pentomic Concept whereby the Army reorganized into Battle Groups in 1957 with Gimlet Battle Groups serving in Germany and Hawaii until the concept was disbanded in favor of the new ROAD concept. The 1-21 and 2-21 IN (Mech) part of the 24th ID (Mech) eventually stood down in 1970 at Augsburg, Germany and Fort Riley, Kansas.

As America entered the war in Vietnam two Gimlet battalions, 3rd and 4th, were activated and called upon for deployment to the Republic of South Vietnam. The 3rd Battalion was initially called up as one of the infantry battalions of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade (Separate) to deploy to the Dominican Republic during that crisis in 1965; however, the 196th LIB was redirected to Vietnam in 1966. The 4th Battalion was activated on 1 November 1967 in Hawaii for deployment to Vietnam as the fourth infantry battalion of the 11th Infantry Brigade. The 4-21 IN arrived in Vietnam on 14 April 1968 to become part of the newly formed 23rd Infantry Division (Americal). Both battalions officially came under operational control of the Americal in February 1969. Gimlets of the 3-21 IN, Task Force Gimlet, were the last combat troops to depart Vietnam in August 1972. Two Gimlets earned the Medal Of Honor for their valorous actions in Vietnam: SSG Nick Bacon B 4-21 IN and PFC Daniel J. Shea* HHC 3-21.

In December 1988 two Gimlet battalions, 4th and 5th, were activated as part of the newly reactivated 7th ID (Light) at Fort Ord, CA, where they began training as LightFighters preparing for the possibilities of combat. The 5th Battalion Gimlets of Task Force Bayonet supported Operation Just Cause from 1989 to 1990, and supported Operation Restore (Uphold) Democracy in Haiti from 1994 to 1995. The 4th and 5th Battalions 21st Infantry Regiment stood down when the 7th ID (L) was deactivated.

The 1-21 IN was reactivated in June 1972 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, as part of the 25th ID (Light). The 2-21 IN was reactivated in 1975 at Fort Stewart as part of the 24th ID, and later stood down. In 1985 Gimlets were called upon again to be first. Gimlets of the 1-21 IN were one of the first infantry battalions to convert to the LightFighter concept as part of the 25th Infantry Division. The Gimlets set the standards for equipment turn-in, Light Leaders course in Ft. Benning, Georgia, and Light Fighter Operations 1 and 2. The 3-21 was reactivated serving with the 25th ID (Light) from 1986 to 1995. Gimlets were called upon as part of OPERATION UPHOLD DEMOCRACY in Haiti from January 1995 to June 1995. The Gimlet LightFighters continued to prepare for combat at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. On 11 January 2001 more than 525 Soldiers from Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, 25th Infantry Division (Light) deployed for six months to join the Multinational Force and Observers mission in the Sinai until July 2001.

In 2002 the 3-21 IN was once again reactivated to be one of the infantry battalions that would make up the new STRYKER Brigade concept at Fort Lewis, WA. Eventually, both the 1-21 IN and 3-21 IN deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After both redeployed from Iraq the 1-21 IN began to reorganize as a new STRYKER Battalion in the 25th ID as part of the Army’s new reorganization plans. The 3-21 IN stood down in June 2006 when it was reflagged as the 2-2 SCR and sent to Germany.

The 3-21 IN was reactivated on 14 December 2006 as a STRYKER battalion to be part of the 25th ID’s 1st STRYKER Brigade at Fort Wainwright, AK. The 3-21 IN under the Command of LTC DeMoss as part of the 1st STRYKER Brigade recently deployed to Iraq.

The 1-21 IN under the Command of LTC Diaz as a new STRYKER battalion part of the 2 BDE, 25th ID departed Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in December 2007 to once again deploy in support of OIF to Iraq. The battalion is currently conducting operations around the Baghdad area.

Gimlet Nickname and Gimlet Stick History

Every infantry battalion in the U.S. Army has a nickname, derived most often from either battles past or other significant events in the unit’s history. So, how did the 21st Infantry Regiment come by its nickname Gimlet? A gimlet is a tool with a grooved shank and screw point used by stone masons to bore holes into rock. These holes were filled with explosives to blast the rock apart; thus, cutting away sides of entire mountains to make room for railroad tracks or roadways.

The Gimlet nickname traces its lineage back to inter-service athletic teams of the early 1920s. Led by PFC Eugene Riley, 21st Infantry Regimental teams dominated every opponent they faced in every sport. Because of their tenacity on the athletic fields, these men became known as Gimlets – teams tougher than rock that bore holes through their opponents.

The Gimlet Stick, carried by all members of the regiment who have been inducted into the Regiment’s Royal Clan, is a visual reminder of the all around toughness presented by soldiers of the Gimlet Regiment. The 21st Infantry Regiment is the only regiment authorized to incorporate its nickname into its official title and wear the Gimlet Stick as part of the uniform. The Gimlet Stick is recognized by the Department of Heraldry as part of the uniform, for those who have successfully earned the right to wear it. The Gimlet Stick may only be worn on designated occasions while serving with the 21st Infantry Regiment (Gimlet).

To become a member of the Royal Gimlet Clan and earn the right to wear the coveted Gimlet Stick a 21st Infantry soldier must first undergo the mighty “Gimlet Challenge.” Once the challenge has been successfully completed the Gimlet is then inducted into the Royal Gimlet Clan. After induction and award the Gimlet has earned the right to wear the cubed and twisted “Gimlet Stick” for the time the Gimlet is assigned to the 21st Infantry Regiment (Gimlet). 

Induction into the Royal Gimlet Clan is done by way of The Gimlet Punchbowl Ceremony, and is only witnessed by other members of the Royal Gimlet Clan. Each ingredient of the punch represents a period of the 21st Infantry Regiment’s legacy, a Battle Streamer flying from the Colors, but more than that, it represents the men who came before, that make up soldiers called, “Brother and Gimlet!” Every drop of ingredient which is poured into the ceremonial punch bowl represents every drop of blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifice ever bared by Gimlet Brothers who have come before.

The Essence of the Gimlet Soldier is demanding training, physical and mental toughness, loyalty to the nation and each other, and a selfless commitment to live up to the regimental motto, “DUTY,” and its battle cry, “Bore Brother Bore!” 

21st Infantry Regiment (Gimlet) Coat of Arms

The 21st Infantry Coat of Arms bears that rich history and represents the 21st Infantry’s participation in numerous campaigns throughout American history.  The colors of blue and white are traditional colors of the infantry.  Organized in 1861 as the 2nd Battalion 12th Infantry, the regiment was in the Army of the Potomac and served in several engagements.

The cedar tree commemorates the regiment’s baptism by fire at Cedar Mountain, 9 August 1862, where it performed its mission with such success as to receive special mention from General Prince, the brigade commander.

The arrows of the crest and the rattlesnake skin, an Indian emblem of war, allude to the eight

campaigns during the Indian Wars.

The five-bastion Fort was the symbol of the 5th Corps at Santiago during the war with Spain.

The Katipunan Sun represents the Gimlet’s role in the three expeditions during the Philippine

Insurrection: 1899, 1905, and 1909.

The present Gimlet Coat of Arms was approved on 17 January 1921.

The 21st Regiment’s colors are adorned with streamers of 53 campaigns, and the regiment’s constant participation is manifested in the Gimlet motto, “Duty.”

Duty is the motto of the 21st Infantry Regiment (Gimlet), and Bore Brother Bore is the Gimlet battle cry.