The 12th Infantry Regiment carries the official Special Designation “Warrior Regiment,” and it is a most apt nickname: Since its formation in 1861, the Regiment has fought in 41 campaigns (with more likely to be added to the list from the War on Terrorism) in seven wars. Unit decorations earned over that span include four Presidential Unit Citations, six Valorous Unit Awards, eight Meritorious Unit Commendations, an Army Superior Unit Award, and a Belgian Fourragere with two citations in the Orders of the Day of the Belgium Army, one for actions in Belgium and another for fighting in the Ardennes. Today, the Regiment’s 1st Battalion (“Red Warriors”) and 2nd Battalion (“Lethal Warriors”) are assigned to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado.
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Much of the unit’s history prior to World War II is graphically encapsulated in the 12th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), often erroneously called a unit crest. Two Moline crosses represent the iron fastening of a mill stone in testament to the Regiment’s horrendous losses as the Battle of Gaines’ Mills in June 1862. A wigwam held erect by five poles symbolizes the five campaigns the Regiment fought in the Indian Wars of the 1860s to 1880s.
The chief in the upper half stands for the War With Spain and the Philippine Insurrection at the start of the 20th Century: yellow and red are Spanish colors while red and blue are Katipunan (Philippino insurrection) colors, and the embattled partition line is an emblem for the capture of the El Caney blockhouse. Finally, the sea lion is taken from the coat of arms of the Philippines.
The Distinctive Unit Insignia is worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e),
"Beret" and
"Garrison Cap," respectively.