31st Infantry Regiment Patch

They are known as the Polar Bears, a regiment forged in some of the harshest climates and most demanding campaigns in American military history. The 31st Infantry Regiment is one of the oldest continuously active infantry regiments of the United States Army, carrying a lineage defined by endurance, discipline, and service in places where conditions tested the limits of soldiers as much as the enemy did. Guided by the motto “Pro Patria” — For Country, the regiment’s identity has always centered on duty carried out without complaint and resolve maintained under pressure.

The regiment’s story begins in the early 20th century, but it was World War II that permanently shaped its legacy. Assigned to the Aleutian Islands Campaign, the 31st Infantry fought in one of the most overlooked yet brutal theaters of the war. On Attu Island, soldiers endured freezing temperatures, relentless wind, fog, and unforgiving terrain while engaging determined Japanese forces. The battle was fought not just against an enemy, but against nature itself. Victory came at a heavy cost, and the Polar Bears emerged with a reputation for toughness earned the hard way.

After the Aleutians, the regiment served occupation duty in Japan, a mission that required restraint, professionalism, and discipline following years of intense combat. That transition—from bitter fighting to stability operations—foreshadowed the regiment’s future role in modern conflicts.

The defining chapter of the 31st Infantry Regiment came during the Korean War, where its name became inseparable from the frozen battlefields of North Korea. As part of Task Force Faith within the 31st Regimental Combat Team, the Polar Bears fought during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, one of the most demanding engagements in U.S. military history. Cut off, outnumbered, and operating in subzero temperatures, the regiment held its ground, protected the withdrawal of friendly forces, and demonstrated extraordinary cohesion under impossible conditions. Their actions became a symbol of sacrifice and determination that continues to define the regiment’s reputation.

In the decades that followed, the 31st Infantry adapted to a changing Army. The regiment served in Vietnam, conducted forward deployments during the Cold War, and remained a key component of America’s global presence. In more recent years, the Polar Bears have been associated with Fort Drum, New York, as part of the 10th Mountain Division, where light infantry units train for rapid deployment, difficult terrain, and expeditionary missions. Though environments changed—from arctic cold to jungle heat to mountainous terrain—the regiment’s core values remained consistent.

Throughout its history, the Polar Bear insignia has represented more than geography. It symbolizes endurance, resilience, and the ability to operate where conditions discourage others. The motto Pro Patria reflects a tradition of service that spans generations—soldiers who answered the call not for recognition, but because the mission required it.

The 31st Infantry Regiment patch honors that enduring legacy. It represents the Polar Bears who fought in the Aleutians, stood fast at Chosin, served across Asia and beyond, and carried forward a regimental identity rooted in professionalism, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to country.