Relieved 1 July 1957 from assignment to the 6th Armored Division.
50th, 44th, and 9th Armored Infantry Battalions consolidated 1 July 1959 to form the 50th Infantry, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System.
Reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1963 as the 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry
"In remembrance of those killed while serving with the 1st Battalion, 50th United States Infantry Regiment during the War in Vietnam. 1967-1970. May God have mercy on their souls and grant them peace."
Decorations
Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered BINH DUONG PROVINCE, French
Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II, Streamer embroidered BREST
The unit's motto "Play the Game" was taken from "Vitai Lampada", a poem written in 1892 by Sir Henry Newbolt.
Distinctive unit insignia
Description
A Silver color metal and enamel device in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Argent, on a pale wavy Azure a dolphin hauriant embowed of the field, on a canton of the second the totem pole of the 23d Infantry Tenné. Attached below the shield a Silver scroll inscribed "PLAY THE GAME" in Blue letters.
Symbolism
The Regiment was organized in 1917 at Syracuse, New York, by drafts of personnel from the 23d Infantry. The shield is white and blue for Infantry. The device of Syracuse is a dolphin. The parentage of the Regiment is indicated in the canton. The 23rd took over Alaska in 1867 and this is commemorated by the crest of that Regiment which is an eagle, the new owner America, upon a plate which is upon the head of a bear, the old owner Russia, the story being that the old owner gave a feast to the new owner when the country changed hands. The 50th’s overseas service in World War I was in the Army of Occupation in the Rhine country indicated by the pale with wavy edges. It had been under orders for Silesia at the time of the Armistice.
Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 50th Armored Infantry Regiment on 14 October 1942. It was redesignated for the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion on 10 November 1943. The insignia was redesignated for the 50th Infantry Regiment on 25 November 1958.
Coat of arms
Blazon
* Shield: Argent, on a pale wavy Azure a dolphin hauriant embowed of the field, on a canton of the second the totem pole of the 23d Infantry Proper.
* Crest: In a wreath of the colors an eagle’s head erased Sable, beaked and langued Gules.
*Motto: PLAY THE GAME.
Symbolism
* Shield: The Regiment was organized in 1917 at Syracuse, New York, by drafts of personnel from the 23rd Infantry. The shield is white and blue for Infantry. The device of Syracuse is a dolphin. The parentage of the Regiment is indicated in the canton. The 23d took over Alaska in 1867 and this is commemorated by the crest of that Regiment which is an eagle, the new owner America, upon a plate which is upon the head of a bear, the old owner Russia, the story being that the old owner gave a feast to the new owner when the country changed hands. The 50th’s overseas service in World War I was in the Army of Occupation in the Rhine country indicated by the pale with wavy edges. It had been under orders for Silesia at the time of the Armistice.
* Crest: The crest is the eagle’s head of the two provinces of Rhine and Silesia.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 50th Infantry Regiment on 11 April 1922. It was redesignated for the 50th Armored Infantry Regiment on 7 August 1942. It was redesignated for the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion on 10 November 1943. The insignia was redesignated for the 50th Infantry Regiment on 25 November 1958.
