87th Infantry Regiment
Coat of Arms Pocket Patch
Shield:
Azure, on a mountain issuant from base Argent, an ice axe,
and ski pole in saltirewise, points to base Proper, a horseshoe,
points to base Gules
The shield bears a snow capped mountain to represent both
the region where the organization first received it's
specialized training and the normal home of mountain troops.
The crossed ski pole and ice axe are symbolic of the tools used
by mountain troops, while the horseshoe indicates the pack
element of the organization. The fact that the 87th Mountain
Infantry Regiment was the first organization of its kind is
indicated by the single red horseshoe. The red castle tower
is reminiscent of the battle of Castel d'Aiano in Northern
Italy, a bloody struggle against prepared positions, rough
terrain, heavily mined areas, and enemy artillery fire; its
three battlements stand for campaigns in the Aleutians,
Northern Apennines, and Po Valley. The fountain (wavy white
and blue-striped disc) represents the first crossing of the
Po River which brought the 87th to the foothills of the Alps.
The catamountain or wildcat personifies the fighting spirit,
cunning, and aggressiveness of the Mountain Infantry, and the
lance and pennant allude to the arms of the Province of Bologna
where the unit emerged after fighting their way out of
the Apennine Mountains.
Motto: VIRES MONTESQUE VINCIMUS (We Conquer Power and Mountains)
Campaigns
World War II
Aleutian Islands; North Apennines; Po Valley
Vietnam
Counteroffensive, Phase II;
Counteroffensive, Phase III; Tet Counteroffensive;
Counteroffensive, Phase IV;
Counteroffensive Phase V;
Counteroffensive Phase VI; Tet 69/Counteroffensive;
Summer-Fall 1969; Winter-Spring 1970;
Sanctuary Counteroffensive;
Counteroffensive Phase VII;
Consolidation I;
Consolidation II; Cease-Fire
Decorations
Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered SAIGON AREA 1966-1967
(Company C, 87th Infantry cited; DA GO 17, 1968)
Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967
(Company D, 87th Infantry cited; DA GO 54, 1968)
Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1968
(Company C, 87th Infantry cited; DA GO 48, 1969)
Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968
(Company D, 87th Infantry cited; DA GO 39, 1970)