27th Infantry Regiment Wolfhounds Patch

Few names in the U.S. Army carry the same weight, ferocity, and enduring respect as the 27th Infantry Regiment—known to history as the Wolfhounds. Their story begins over a century ago and stretches across the Pacific, through jungles, mountains, and warzones, wherever American soldiers have stood their ground with grit and honor.

Formed in 1901, the 27th Infantry Regiment earned its fierce nickname during the Siberian Expedition of 1918–1920. As part of the American Expeditionary Force sent into the frozen chaos of post-revolutionary Russia, the men of the 27th became feared and respected alike for their relentless pursuit of the enemy. Russian troops called them “Volchya Sobaka”—the Wolfhounds—because, like their namesake, they hunted tirelessly and never backed down. The name stuck, becoming a symbol of endurance and ferocity that has defined the regiment ever since.

When World War II engulfed the Pacific, the Wolfhounds fought with unmatched determination as part of the 25th Infantry Division, the famed “Tropic Lightning.” From Guadalcanal’s sweltering jungles to the bloody ridges of Luzon, they fought through mud, heat, and relentless fire. Their courage helped turn the tide in the Pacific, and their discipline in battle became a model for infantry warfare.

In Korea, the 27th Infantry Regiment again proved its mettle. Landing at Pusan in 1950, they were among the first units to engage the invading North Korean forces. They held the line at the Naktong River, fought through the harrowing advance to the Yalu, and endured the bitter withdrawal from the Chosin Reservoir. Time and again, the Wolfhounds fought outnumbered and outgunned, buying time and space for the United Nations forces to survive and regroup. Their bravery became legend, earning the regiment the admiration of both allies and enemies alike.

Even in times of uneasy peace, the Wolfhounds’ service never ceased. During the Vietnam War, they returned once more to the jungles of Asia, conducting patrols, ambushes, and counterinsurgency operations with the same tenacity that had defined them for generations. In the years since, they have served across Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond—always answering the call with the same unwavering resolve.

The 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds” patch stands as a symbol of that relentless spirit. It honors soldiers who fought from the frozen wastes of Siberia to the humid jungles of Southeast Asia and into the deserts of the modern age. To wear it is to honor a lineage of warriors who never stop the hunt, who never yield, and who always fight with the heart of the Wolfhound.