The 4th Cavalry Regiment was originally established in 1855 as the 1st Cavalry, one of two Cavalry Regiments authorized by Congress to augment the three existing Cavalry units (1st and 2nd Dragoons and the Regiment of Mounted Riflement). As the result of a decision to reorganized and redesignate Cavalry units based upon seniority, the 1st was redesignated as the 4th reflect its status as the fourth Cavalry Regiment to be raised in the United States Army.
Today, the 4th Cavalry Regiment consists of three Squadrons. The 1st and 5th are both stationed at Fort Riley, with the 1st assigned to the 1st Armored Combat Brigade and the 5th to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat; both Brigades are part of the 1st Infantry Division. The 3rd Squadron is a subordinate unit of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division and is based at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The symbolism of the 4th Cavalry Regiment’s Distinctive Unit Insignia (also known as a DUI or unit crest) pays much homage to the unit’s earliest days of service during the Civil War and the subsequent Indian Wars. Yellow is of course the color for Cavalry. The red bayonet on the embattled blue represent the Regiment’s smashing of the fortifications at the Battle of Selma during Wilson’s Raid in 1865, while the defeat of Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Cavalry forces at the Third Battle of Murfreesboro are symbolized by the reversed saber. A reversed cannon stands for the capture of a Confederate artillery battery at the Battle of Nashville, and the reversed arrow symbolizes numerous successful actions in the Indian Wars.
The Distinctive Unit Insignia s 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.