The 35th Infantry Regiment ("Cacti") was created on 1 July 1916 at Douglas, Arizona from elements of the 11th, 18th and 22nd Infantry Regiments. The 35th served on the Mexico–US border during the First World War and was stationed at Nogales, Arizona in 1918. It fought a border skirmish on 27 August 1918 during the Battle of Ambos Nogales.
In World War II, Korea, and Vietnam it served as part of the 25th Infantry (Tropic Lightning) Division.
As of 2012, the only active element of the regiment is the 2d Battalion, which is assigned to the 3d Brigade Combat Team (Infantry), 25th Infantry Division.
Heraldry
The regiment's coat of arms and its distinctive unit insignia reflect its history. The regiment was originally formed in Arizona from elements of the 11th, 18th, and 22d Infantry Regiments. These organizations are represented on the canton of the crest, in the upper left-hand corner. The white Maltese cross represents the 11th Regiment, the red acorn represents the 18th Regiment, and the embattled partition line of the canton represents the 22nd Regiment. The cactus represents the original service along the Mexico–US border against the revolutionaries of General Francisco Villa.
Distinctive unit insignia
The following is a direct quote from the US Army The Institute of Heraldry regarding the 35th Regiment.
Description/blazon
A gold color metal and enamel device in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Argent, a giant cactus Vert. On a canton embattled (for the 22d Infantry) Azure, a cross patée of the field (for the 11th Infantry) charged with an acorn Gules (for the 18th Infantry).
Symbolism
This regiment was originally organized in Arizona with personnel from the 11th, 18th and 22d Infantry. These organizations are shown on the canton. During the Civil War the predecessor of the 11th Infantry was in the 2d Division, V Corps, the badge of which was a white Maltese cross; the 18th Infantry was in the 1st Division, XIV Corps, with a red acorn as the badge. The 22d Infantry is represented by the embattled partition line of the canton. The cactus represents the original service of the 35th Infantry on the Mexico–US border.
Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved on 28 Jun 1923. It was amended to change the method of wear on 30 Apr 1926.
Coat of arms
The following is a direct quote from the US Army The Institute of Heraldry regarding the 35th Regiment.
Description/Blazon
Shield
Argent, a giant cactus Vert. On a canton embattled (for the 22d Infantry) Azure, a cross patée of the field (for the 11th Infantry) charged with an acorn Gules (for the 18th Infantry). Crest On a wreath of the colors (Argent and Vert) a walnut tree Proper. Motto TAKE ARMS.
Symbolism
Shield
This regiment was organized at Douglas, Arizona, in July 1916 from the 11th, 18th and 22d regiments of Infantry. These organizations are shown on a canton. In the Civil War the predecessor of the 11th Infantry was in the 2d Division, V Corps, the badge of which was a white Maltese cross; the 18th Infantry was in the 1st Division, 14th Army Corps, with a red acorn as the badge. The 22d Infantry was originally the 2d Battalion, 13th Infantry and as such distinguished itself at the Siege of Vicksburg, receiving the name "First at Vicksburg." This is shown by the embattled partition line of the canton. The cactus represents the original border service of the 35th Infantry.
Crest
The crest commemorates the baptism of fire of the regiment at Nogales, the Spanish for walnut trees.
Background
The coat of arms was approved on 9 Apr 1920.
Motto
The regimental motto is "Take Arms!" During the Battle of Ambos Nogales in 1918 when the alarm went out, officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers shouted out, "Take Arms! Take Arms!"
World War I
The 35th Infantry Regiment was stationed at Nogales, Arizona on 27 August 1918, when at about 4:10 pm, a gun battle erupted unintentionally when a Mexican civilian attempted to pass through the border, back to Mexico, without being interrogated at the U.S. Customs house. After the initial shooting, reinforcements from both sides rushed to the border line. Hostilities quickly escalated and several soldiers were killed and others wounded.