Originally formed as the 11th Infantry on 11 January 1812 in response to the looming war with Great Britain, the 6th Infantry Regiment earned its nickname of “Regulars” early on at the 1814 Battle of Chippawa. When British commander Major General Phineas Riall saw the 11th Infantry’s men dressed in what appeared to be militia uniforms, he fully expected them to break and run under the pressure of artillery fire; when they held their positions, Riall is alleged to have exclaimed, “Those are Regulars, by God!” (but the only source for this anecdote is the victorious U.S. General Winfield Scott).
The Regiment received its numerical designation as the 6th Infantry in 1815, and during World War I it was assigned to the 5th Division. During the interwar years it was assigned to the 6th Division, and during World War II it was reorganized as the 6th Infantry (Armored) and assigned to the 1st Armored Division, a relationship that exists to this day as both two of its three Battalions are assigned to Brigade Combat Teams of the 1st Armored Division.
Although the Regiment as a whole did not receive credit for participation in any Korean War campaigns, the 2nd Battalion did, taking part in eight named campaigns and earning two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations and a Chryssoun Aristion Andrias Streamer, the second-highest military honor awarded by Greece. Other notable decorations for the Regiment include a pair of Presidential Unit Citations earned during World War II, a Valorous Unit Award for action in Vietnam, two additional VUAs during the First Gulf War, and both a VUA and Army Superior Unit Award for the action in Panama in 1989 – 1990.
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The 6th Infantry Regimental Distinctive Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, features a scroll at the bottom inscribed with the unit motto of “Unity Is Strength.” An alligator represents the Regiment’s service in several Indian Campaigns including the Battle of Lake Okeechobee during the Seminole War. A green scaling ladder symbolizes the Regiment’s service with General Winfield Scott when he defeated the Mexican forces at Churubusco and led the Army that scaled the walls Chapultepec. The silver cross on a red field is from the arms of the ancient Lords of Dun an is emblematic of the crossing of the Meuse River in World War I. The 6th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was first approved in 1924, but was amended once and redesignated in 1940, 1942, and 1950.
Distinctive Unit Insignias are 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."