1.
United States
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Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U. S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean, the geography, climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 324 million people, the United States is the worlds third- or fourth-largest country by area, third-largest by land area. It is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century, the United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the following the Seven Years War led to the American Revolution. On July 4,1776, during the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain, representing the first successful war of independence against a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, after the Articles of Confederation, the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. During the second half of the 19th century, the American Civil War led to the end of slavery in the country. By the end of century, the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the status as a global military power. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the sole superpower. The U. S. is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States. The United States is a developed country, with the worlds largest economy by nominal GDP. It ranks highly in several measures of performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP. While the U. S. economy is considered post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy, the United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally, and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations. In 1507, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere America after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci
2.
United States Army
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The United States Armed Forces are the federal armed forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, from the time of its inception, the military played a decisive role in the history of the United States. A sense of unity and identity was forged as a result of victory in the First Barbary War. Even so, the Founders were suspicious of a permanent military force and it played an important role in the American Civil War, where leading generals on both sides were picked from members of the United States military. Not until the outbreak of World War II did a standing army become officially established. The National Security Act of 1947, adopted following World War II and during the Cold Wars onset, the U. S. military is one of the largest militaries in terms of number of personnel. It draws its personnel from a pool of paid volunteers. As of 2016, the United States spends about $580.3 billion annually to fund its military forces, put together, the United States constitutes roughly 40 percent of the worlds military expenditures. For the period 2010–14, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute found that the United States was the worlds largest exporter of major arms, the United States was also the worlds eighth largest importer of major weapons for the same period. The history of the U. S. military dates to 1775 and these forces demobilized in 1784 after the Treaty of Paris ended the War for Independence. All three services trace their origins to the founding of the Continental Army, the Continental Navy, the United States President is the U. S. militarys commander-in-chief. Rising tensions at various times with Britain and France and the ensuing Quasi-War and War of 1812 quickened the development of the U. S. Navy, the reserve branches formed a military strategic reserve during the Cold War, to be called into service in case of war. Time magazines Mark Thompson has suggested that with the War on Terror, Command over the armed forces is established in the United States Constitution. The sole power of command is vested in the President by Article II as Commander-in-Chief, the Constitution also allows for the creation of executive Departments headed principal officers whose opinion the President can require. This allowance in the Constitution formed the basis for creation of the Department of Defense in 1947 by the National Security Act, the Defense Department is headed by the Secretary of Defense, who is a civilian and member of the Cabinet. The Defense Secretary is second in the chain of command, just below the President. Together, the President and the Secretary of Defense comprise the National Command Authority, to coordinate military strategy with political affairs, the President has a National Security Council headed by the National Security Advisor. The collective body has only power to the President
3.
Infantry Branch (United States)
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The Infantry Branch is a branch of the United States Army first established in 1775. Ten companies of riflemen were authorized by a resolution of the Continental Congress on 14 June 1775, the Armys current regimental numbering system dates from this act. And after the Mexican–American War reduced back to pre war levels, 26th Infantry Regiment 27th Infantry Regiment 28th Infantry Regiment 29th Infantry Regiment 30th Infantry Regiment The Militia Act of 1903 established the National Guard. Airborne and Air Assault infantry battalions, are larger than the light and Ranger infantry battalions. Stryker and mechanized infantry units TO&Es are markedly different from each other as well as from the several sub-types of light infantry, an obvious difference is the requirement to allow for additional manpower and equipment to man, maintain, and service their respective vehicles. Marine Infantry In addition to the six types of US Army Infantry, described above, Marine infantry is essentially multi-purpose, heavily-manned and equipped, light infantry. Marine infantry battalions that are reinforced to form a Battalion Landing Team are also heavily supported with additional organic assets. This combat support includes, a field artillery battery, three reinforced armored vehicle platoons, and one platoon each of infantry reconnaissance and combat engineers. Additionally, some Marine infantrymen attend U. S. Army Airborne or Ranger training, however, since the USMC does not maintain either airborne or Ranger infantry units, only a relatively small number of Marines ever attend these two schools. Furthermore, while not designated as special forces, deployed Marine Expeditionary Units are certified as Special Operations Capable. S. Historical register and dictionary of the United States Army, from, Volume 1 By Francis Bernard Heitman Official U. S. bulletin, Volume 1 By United States. Committee on Public Information Encyclopedia of United States Army insignia and uniforms By William K. Emerson
4.
42nd Infantry Regiment (United States)
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The 42nd Infantry Regiment is an inactive infantry regiment in the United States Army. Constituted 15 May 1917 in the Regular Army as the 42nd Infantry, organized 24 June 1917 at Fort Douglas, Utah from personnel of the 20th Infantry. Assigned to the 12th Infantry Division 5 July 1918, relieved from the 12th Division 31 January 1919. Inactivated by elements at Camp Gillard, Canal Zone, as follows- Headquarters and Headquarters Company,30 April 1927, allotted to the Second Corps Area 28 February 1927. Affiliated with University of Puerto Rico 18 April 1930, organized 1 February 1939 at Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Description A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1⁄4 inches in height consisting of a shield blazoned, Azure, semé of bees Or, Symbolism The shield is blue for Infantry. The Regiment was organized at Fort Douglas, Utah, in May 1917, the bees are taken from the arms of Utah. The Regiment is now recruited from Puerto Rico shown by the cross taken from the old banner of the island, background The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 14 November 1923. It was rescinded/cancelled on 28 January 1959, blazon Shield Azure, semé of bees Or, a cross Argent, on a canton of the last two saltires of the field. Crest- None Motto- None Symbolism Shield- The shield is blue for Infantry, the Regiment was organized at Fort Douglas, Utah, in May 1917, from the 20th Infantry which is shown on the canton. The bees are taken from the arms of Utah, the Regiment is now recruited from Puerto Rico shown by the cross taken from the old banner of the island. Background- The coat of arms was approved on 4 June 1921 and it was rescinded/cancelled on 28 January 1959. Infantry Regiments Distinctive unit insignia This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Army Institute of Heraldry document 42nd Infantry Regiment, historical register and dictionary of the United States Army, from. Volume 1 By Francis Bernard Heitman Encyclopedia of United States Army insignia and uniforms By William K. Emerson
5.
44th Infantry Regiment (United States)
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The 44th Infantry Regiment was part of USAFFEs Philippine Division during World War II. The 44th Infantry Regiment was formed in 1921 and became a Philippine Scout unit, in 1922, the unit was deactivated. The Philippine Division, now redesignated the 12th Infantry Division, was reactivated in 1946, along with its component units, the 44th Infantry Regiment was reformed for occupation duty on Okinawa and inactivated in 1947. Military History of the Philippines Military History of the United States Coats of arms of U. S
6.
United States Army Forces in the Far East
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United States Army Forces in the Far East was a military formation of the United States Army active from 1941 to 1946. The new commands headquarters was created on July 26,1941,1, Calle Victoria, Manila, Luzon, the Philippines, with General Douglas MacArthur as commander. The Chief of Staff was Brigadier General Richard K. Sutherland, the core of this command was drawn from the Office of the Military Advisor to the Commonwealth Government. MacArthur explains, It became an administrative echelon and it was analogous to a corps area. MacArthur recommended that Philippine Department commander Major General Grunert be reassigned, on October 23, Grunert returned to the United States and MacArthur was temporarily appointed as the Philippine Departments commander. It does not appear this idea was considered until Douglas MacArthur suggested, to the Army Chief of Staff. On June 6, Acting Chief of the War Plans Division Brigadier General Leonard T. Gerow noted that he saw no need for such a command, as US Forces in the Far East were concentrated in the Philippines. As such, Gerow argued that should a crisis occur, then MacArthur should become the commander of, not some new command, but rather, of the Philippine Department itself. On June 20, Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall informed MacArthur, Both the Secretary of War and your qualifications and experience make you the logical selection for the Army Commander in the Far East should the situation approach a crisis. The Secretary has delayed recommending your appointment as he does not feel the time has arrived for such action, at the proper time, he will recommend to the President that you be so appointed. S. Army reserve officers be sent to the Philippines to assist in mobilization, on July 25, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson requested that President Roosevelt issue orders calling the military forces of the Commonwealth into active service for the United States. Stimson explains, All practical steps should be taken to increase the strength of the Philippine Islands. The following day, Roosevelt froze all Japanese assets within the United States and that same day, the War Department created the USAFFE command, with jurisdiction over the Philippine Department and the military forces of Commonwealth of the Philippines. At the same time, MacArthur was recalled to duty as the USAFFE commander, from his positions as military advisor to the Philippine government. The short-lived American-British-Dutch-Australian Command was formed on January 1,1942, to control all Allied forces in South East Asia, ABDACOM nominally controlled USAFFE forces, although the latter was effectively an independent force. In March, due to the worsening Allied position in Asia, macArthurs famous speech regarding the Philippines, in which he said, I came out of Bataan and I shall return was made at Terowie, South Australia on March 20. General Jonathan Wainwright officially assumed control of the forces in the Philippines. On April 18,1942, ABDACOM was replaced by General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area in Melbourne, Australia, MacArthur was appointed Supreme Commander, SWPA
7.
Philippine Division
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Philippine Division, or from 1944–45 the 12th Infantry Division, was the core U. S. infantry division of the United States Armys Philippine Department during World War II. On 31 July 1941, the division consisted of 10,473 troops, mostly enlisted Filipinos, all of the divisions enlisted men, with the exception of the 31st Infantry Regiment, and various military police and headquarters troops, were Philippine Scouts. In October 1941, as part of the U. S. Army Forces Far East, the 34th Infantry was detached from the 8th Infantry Division and moved to a port of embarkation in December 1941, along with two battalions of 105mm field artillery. The outbreak of war in December 1941, however, isolated the Philippines and it was briefly reconstituted as the 12th Infantry Division in 1944–45. Description, On a scarlet spade-shaped shield, a yellow carabaos head caboshed, symbolism, The carabao is suggestive of the Philippines, and the colors red and gold represent the Spanish heritage of the islands. Organized 8 June 1921 in the Philippine Islands, with Regular Army, surrendered 9 April 1942 to the Japanese 14th Army. Redesignated 6 April 1946 as the 12th Infantry Division, inactivated 30 April 1947 in the Philippine Islands. Units of the Philippine Division were on security missions at Manila, Fort William McKinley, after undergoing 2 days of bombings, the Division moved into the field to cover the withdrawal of troops to Bataan and to resist the enemy in the Subic Bay area. From 11 December 1941 to 23 December 1941, positions were organized and strengthened, the 31st Infantry Regiment moved to a defensive position on the west side of the Olongapo Road near Layac Junction,5 January 1942. This junction was lost on 6 January 1942, but the withdrawal to Bataan had been successfully concluded, the Division was placed in reserve from 7 January 1942 to 14 January 1942. This period was one of reconnaissance and development by the Japanese in preparation for their attack on the main battle position on the Abucay line. Elements repulsed night attacks near Abucay on 10 January 1942 –12 January 1942, strong offensive and defensive action was not able to prevent enemy penetrations and the Division withdrew to the Reserve Battle Position in the Pilar – Bagac area,2 February 1942. During this period elements of the Division were shifted to assist in the defense of other sectors, the enemy attack on 28 March struck at a division weakened by malnutrition, sickness, and prolonged exposure to combat. The Division, no longer operating as a unit, was unable to counterattack against heavy enemy assaults. On 8 April 1942, the 57th Infantry Regiment and the 31st Infantry Regiment were lost near the Alangan River, the victory over Japan ended the misery of Japanese prison camps for the survivors of the Philippine Division. The Division was briefly reconstituted as the 12th Infantry Division in 1944–45 as the US & Filipino army liberated the Philippines, however, prior to being disbanded some subordinate units were tasked with Occupation duties on Saipan, Okinawa, and elsewhere. Furthermore, members of the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments who wished to remain in the Philippines upon being discharged were transferred to a unit under this division. U. S. Army Forces in the Far East –8 December 1941 –24 December 1941, Bataan Defense Force –24 December 1941 –6 January 1942
8.
Fort Douglas
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In 1878, the post was renamed Fort Douglas. It was officially closed in 1991 pursuant to BRAC action and most of the buildings were turned over to the University of Utah, a small section of the original fort is still used by the U. S. Army Reserve and includes the Fort Douglas Military Museum. Early in the Civil War, the threat of violence increased with the withdrawal of Federal troops from the West for use against the Confederate States of America, colonel Patrick Connor was ordered to reestablish a military presence with volunteer soldiers in the Utah Territory. He selected a site east of Salt Lake City, and Camp Douglas, connors men were Union volunteers from both California and Nevada. The post served as headquarters for the District of Utah in the Department of the Pacific, following the end of the Civil War, between 1866 and 1898, the fort was part of the Department of the Platte. Its importance increased when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads joined rails at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10,1869, through the efforts of Utahs U. S. Sen. Thomas Kearns, the fort became a regimental post. During World War I, the fort was used as an internment camp for German citizens who lived in the United States, denied the coal needed for their boilers, the German captain reluctantly submitted to detention. When the United States entered the war on the Allied side in 1917, in 1922, the fort became the base of the 38th Infantry, which remained there until August 1940. After World War II, the Army began disposing of its land, transferring it to the University of Utah, however, it maintained Army Reserve functions there for decades, notably with the 96th Army Reserve Command under the command of Maj. Gen. Michael B. Kauffman, who had spent much of his Army career at the fort and was instrumental in keeping it alive well past its announced closing in the 1970s. On Oct.26,1991, the fort closed officially, though the Utah National Guard maintained control of the museum, a small portion of the southwestern section of the original fort remains in use by the United States military. This portion of the fort is designated the Fort Stephen A. Douglas Armed Forces Reserve Center, the reserve center consists of 51 acres, and includes the historic Soldier’s Circle, along with several sub-installation buildings. The center hosts offices, along with training and support space for staff for two Army Reserve commands, and staff from other Army, Navy and Marine Reserve units. There have been attempts to relocate the center to allow the University of Utah to grow its campus. A law requires the property be given to the University of Utah, without charge, in 1991 the University of Utah received much of the forts former property. During the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, much of the campus was used to host events. Stilwell Field is used as a lot during special events. The Officers Club building is used as a center by the university
9.
Utah
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Utah is a state in the western United States. It became the 45th state admitted to the U. S. on January 4,1896, Utah is the 13th-largest by area, 31st-most-populous, and 10th-least-densely populated of the 50 United States. Utah has a population of more than 3 million, approximately 80% of whom live along the Wasatch Front, Utah is bordered by Colorado to the east, Wyoming to the northeast, Idaho to the north, Arizona to the south, and Nevada to the west. It also touches a corner of New Mexico in the southeast, approximately 62% of Utahns are reported to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS, which greatly influences Utahn culture and daily life. The LDS Churchs world headquarters is located in Salt Lake City, Utah is the only state with a majority population belonging to a single church. The state is a center of transportation, education, information technology and research, government services, mining, in 2013, the U. S. Census Bureau estimated that Utah had the second fastest-growing population of any state. St. George was the metropolitan area in the United States from 2000 to 2005. Utah also has the 14th highest median income and the least income inequality of any U. S. state. A2012 Gallup national survey found Utah overall to be the best state to live in based on 13 forward-looking measurements including various economic, lifestyle, the name Utah is derived from the name of the Ute tribe. It means people of the mountains in the Ute language, according to other sources Utah is derived from the Apache name Yudah which means Tall. These Native American tribes are subgroups of the Ute-Aztec Native American ethnicity and were sedentary, the Ancestral Pueblo people built their homes through excavations in mountains, and the Fremont people built houses of straw before disappearing from the region around the 15th century. Another group of Native Americans, the Navajo, settled in the region around the 18th century, in the mid-18th century, other Uto-Aztecan tribes, including the Goshute, the Paiute, the Shoshone, and the Ute people, also settled in the region. These five groups were present when the first European explorers arrived, the southern Utah region was explored by the Spanish in 1540, led by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, while looking for the legendary Cíbola. A group led by two Catholic priests—sometimes called the Dominguez-Escalante Expedition—left Santa Fe in 1776, hoping to find a route to the coast of California, the expedition traveled as far north as Utah Lake and encountered the native residents. The Spanish made further explorations in the region, but were not interested in colonizing the area because of its desert nature, in 1821, the year Mexico achieved its independence from Spain, the region became known as part of its territory of Alta California. European trappers and fur traders explored some areas of Utah in the early 19th century from Canada, the city of Provo, Utah was named for one, Étienne Provost, who visited the area in 1825. The city of Ogden, Utah was named after Peter Skene Ogden, in late 1824, Jim Bridger became the first known English-speaking person to sight the Great Salt Lake. Due to the salinity of its waters, Bridger thought he had found the Pacific Ocean
10.
Philippine Scouts
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This page is about the military unit. For the article on the movement, please see Boy Scouts of the Philippines. The Philippine Scouts was an organization of the United States Army from 1901 until the end of World War II. Philippine Scout units were given a suffix of, to them from other U. S. Army units. The first Scout companies were organized by the US in 1901 to combat the Philippine revolutionary forces led at that time by General Emilio Aguinaldo, service and support formations were also organized as engineer, medical, quartermaster and military police units. The infantry and field regiments were grouped together with the U. S. 31st Infantry Regiment to form the U. S. Army’s Philippine Division, at this point, the Scouts became the U. S. Army’s front line troops in the Pacific. The Philippine Department assigned the Scouts to subdue the Moro tribes on the island of Mindanao, in the 1930s, Philippine Scouts, along with the 31st Infantry Regiment, saw action at Jolo, Palawan. Philippine Scout regiments became some of the first United States Army units to be in combat during World War II, even after that some individual soldiers and units refused to surrender and become beginning elements of the resistance to the Japanese occupation. Later paroled POWs would also join the resistance, when the Philippine Revolution erupted in 1896, a Spanish Colonel named Eugenio Blanco who had large estates near the town of Macabebe in Pampanga organized a regiment from among his clients. The Macabebes sided with the Spaniards even while the rest of Pampanga threw its support for the quest for independence, Macabebes protected the retreating Spaniards, rescuing friars and the families of the Spanish Army. At the conclusion of the Spanish–American War 270 men of this 72nd Macabebe Regiment found themselves stranded in Manila, many shipped out to join a Spanish garrison in the Caroline Islands, and the remainder slipped back into Macabebe after it was occupied by the Americans. The Macabebes proved themselves reliable over the two months, and Batson formed five companies of 128 men each, all veterans of service in the Spanish Army. In retaliation, Gen. Antonio Lunas troops burned the town of Macabebe, batsons Macabebe companies saw combat against Aguinaldos forces beginning in October 1899, after which they were reorganized into the Philippine Cavalry Squadron and enlisted as irregulars. The Macabebes won lasting notability in the operation under General Frederick Funston to capture General Aguinaldo, in 1901, on the Armys recommendation, U. S. President Theodore Roosevelt authorized the formation of a unified native Scouts organization. The Army activated this Native Scouts force in October 1901 by integrating 50 local companies into a force of 5,000 men. Over the next ten years, the Scouts won accolades from their American commanders which contributed to their survival as a unit, MacArthur took command of all military forces in the Philippines except the U. S. Navy’s Asiatic Fleet. The Philippine Division, Philippine Department and all other Philippine Scout units were included in USAFFE, at the time of USAFFEs formation, the unit consisted of 22,532 troops, of which 11,972 were Philippine Scouts
United States
United States Army
