The 28th Infantry Regiment “Lions of Cantigny” is one of the U.S. Army’s oldest and most decorated regiments. From the trenches of World War I to the jungles of Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the 28th has stood at the forefront of American combat history. Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 28th Infantry Regiment.
The 28th Infantry Regiment was first constituted in 1901 and quickly earned a reputation for toughness and professionalism in the early 20th century. It deployed to the Philippines during the Philippine–American War, gaining valuable combat experience in expeditionary operations.
World War I – “Lions of Cantigny”
The regiment cemented its place in U.S. military history in World War I as part of the 1st Infantry Division, the famous “Big Red One.” On 28 May 1918, the 28th led the first major American offensive of the war at the Battle of Cantigny, seizing the French village from entrenched German forces. Their determined stand earned them the nickname “The Lions of Cantigny”, and the battle marked the U.S. Army’s emergence as a major fighting force on the Western Front.
World War II
The regiment again deployed with the 1st Infantry Division in World War II, landing in North Africa in 1942, then fighting through Sicily in 1943. On 6 June 1944, the 28th hit Omaha Beach on D-Day, driving inland under withering fire. It continued to fight across France, Belgium, and into Germany, participating in the Battle of the Bulge and the final push into Central Europe.
Korea & Vietnam
In the Korean War, elements of the 28th fought early defensive actions before transitioning to security missions. During the Vietnam War, the regiment deployed in the mid-1960s, conducting combat operations in the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands. Its Soldiers faced heavy fighting in counterinsurgency operations, jungle warfare, and base defense missions.
Modern Deployments
In the decades following Vietnam, the regiment remained active as part of the 1st Infantry Division. Its battalions deployed to Desert Storm in 1991, followed by rotations to Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 28th fought in some of the most intense urban combat in Baghdad, Tikrit, and Ramadi. In Afghanistan, it conducted counterinsurgency, partnered with Afghan forces, and carried out air assault and reconnaissance missions.
Identity & Legacy
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Nickname: “Lions of Cantigny”
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Motto: “Noli Me Tangere” (“Touch Me Not”)
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Branch/Role: Infantry, with service in expeditionary and combined-arms environments.
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Unique Distinction: First American regiment to launch a major offensive in World War I.
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Decorations: Multiple Presidential Unit Citations, French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Belgian Fourragère, and numerous campaign streamers spanning both World Wars, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terror.
Enduring Significance
From the Philippine jungles to Omaha Beach, and from Cantigny to Baghdad, the 28th Infantry Regiment has been defined by courage, resilience, and decisive action. Its history reflects the evolution of American ground combat over more than a century, always living up to its battle-hardened motto, “Touch Me Not.”
Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 28th Infantry Regiment.