The 'Can-Do regiment, for 26 years a guardian of peaceful Chinese citizens and of American property in China, is one of the oldest fighting units of the United States Army.

The 15^th Infantry first went into action in the War of 1812, against the British. It was organized in 1812 as a volunteer unit and its record in that first conflict set a brilliant standard for soldiers of later years.

On May 27, 1813, the 15^th participated in the capture of Fort George, Upper Canada. When defeat followed the initial victory the regiment covered the American retreat, and although 50 per cent of its strength were casualties, not a single soldier of the 15^th surrendered.

Mexico came next, the regiment again was mustered into service as a volunteer organization and sailed for Vera Cruz as part of General Winfiled Scott's punitive expedition. In that campaign the regiment saw action at Vera Cruz, Plan del Rio, Cerro Gordo, Churubusco, Las Animas, Jalapa, Chapultepec and Mexico City. When peace returned the regiment was disbanded.

When the Civil War broke out the 15^th again was mustered into service and has been in active duty ever since. On May 4, 1861, it was organized as part of the Regular Army. During the Civil War, as a unit of the Western Army, it engaged in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Mufreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta and numerous small engagements.

Following the Civil War the regiment was stationed at various posts in the South and Wets. It participated in the campaign against the Ute Indians in New Mexico, and composed a part of the expeditionary force in the war with Spain in1898.

The 15^th regiment first went to China in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion, taking part in the bloody work of pacification until ordered to the Philippine Islands. From 1903 until 1912 the regiment was in the United States at Monterey Calif., where it built barracks and had its last taste of peaceful United States garrison life. In January, 1912, it sailed back to China for for the mission of protecting the Pekin-Mukden railroad between Tientsin and Chinwangtao.

During the next 26 years the 15^th protected American lives and property in spite of never-ending civil conflict and the later Sino-Japanese "incidents." The regiment was presented with a tablet of gratitude by the Chinese citizens of Tientsin for the protection afforded them against marauders.

In expression of its long and successful service in China and as representative of its confident attitude toward all tasks the regiment adopted as its motto, the Chinese pigdin English expression "Can Do."

On March 2, 1938 the 15^th Infantry returned to the United States and joined the 3^rd Division, of which it remained a component throughout World War II. #2 History of the Third Infantry Division in WW II P478.