187th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans) is a regiment of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) of the United States Army. The nickname "Rakkasans" is derived from the Japanese word for umbrella. The name was given to the 187th during its tour in occupied Japan following World War II. When a translator dealing with local Japanese dignitaries was trying to explain what their unit was trained to do (and not knowing the Japanese word for "airborne soldiers") he used the phrase "falling down umbrella men", or rakkasan. Amused by the clumsy word, the locals began to call the troopers by that nickname; it soon stuck and became a point of pride for the unit.
Currently, the 1st Battalion – 187th Infantry, the 3rd Battalion – 187th Infantry and 1st Squadron 33rd Cavalry are active in the 101st Airborne's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
Read more about 187th Infantry Regiment (United States): World War II and Aftermath, Korean War, Post Korean War and Air Mobility, Vietnam War, Post Vietnam, Gulf War, Between The Gulf War and GWOT, Afghanistan and Iraq, Rakkasans, In Film
Famous quotes containing the word regiment:
“We had an inspection today of the brigade. The Twenty-third was pronounced the crack regiment in appearance, ... [but] I could see only six to ten in a company of the old men. They all smiled as I rode by. But as I passed away I couldn’t help dropping a few natural tears. I felt as I did when I saw them mustered in at Camp Chase.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)