An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Introduction to the
History and Heritage
of the U.S. Army
by CPT August Turner Murray
Assistant Professor of Military Science
University of New Hampshire
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Terminal Learning Objective
Task:
Gain familiarization with the U.S. Army
Condition:
Given a classroom presentation & handouts
Standard:
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the
U.S. Army’s History and Heritage
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
References
U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH)
http://www.army.mil/cmh
The Institute of Heraldry, U.S. Army (TIOH)
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil
A Century of Service, by David W. Hogan, CMH
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/COS/index.htm
U.S. Army Home Page
http://www.army.mil
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
 The Army’s Birth
 A Brief History of Campaigns
 Department of the Army Emblem
 The U.S. Army Beret Flash
 The Army Song
 The Army Values
 Soldiers Creed
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Click to
play:
The Army
Birthday
14 June 1775
Since its birth on 14 June 1775 - over a year before
the Declaration of Independence-the United States
Army has played a vital role in the growth and
development of our nation. Soldiers have fought 10
wars, from the American Revolution through the
Cold War, the Gulf War, to the current War on
Terrorism. This Army’s Birthday is a recognition of
our history, traditions, and service to the Nation.
The Army’s Components
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
The Army is
composed of an
active duty
component, also
known as the
“Regular Army,”
and the Reserve
Components of the
Army National Guard
and
U.S. Army Reserve
First muster
Salem, MA.
Dec. 13, 1636
Formed by
Congress
April 23, 1908
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
 The Army Birthday
 A Brief History of Campaigns
 Department of the Army Emblem
 The U.S. Army Beret Flash
 The Army Song
 The Army Values
 Soldiers Creed
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
A Brief History of
Army Campaigns
The Army Flag and Its Streamers
was originally prepared in August
1964 by the Office of the Chief of
Military History, with the Office of
the Chief of Information, and the
U.S. Army Exhibit Unit, to provide
general summaries of each of the
campaigns.
The 175 streamers attached to
the Army Flag staff denote
campaigns fought by the Army
throughout our nation’s history.
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
The Revolutionary War 1775-1781
Lexington, Massachusetts, April 19, 1775
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
The Revolutionary War 1775-1781
Yorktown, 14 October 1781
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
The War of 1812 (1812-1815)
Battle Of New Orleans, 1815
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
The Mexican War 1846-1847
Churubusco, Mexico
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
The Civil War, 1861-1865
First at Vicksburg
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Indian Wars, 1790-1891
Cavalry Trooper
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
War with Spain, 1898
Gatlings to the Assault
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
China Relief Expedition 1900
“I’ll Try Sir!”
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Philippine Insurrection, 1899-1913
Knocking Out the Moros
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Mexican Expedition, 1916-1917
On the Border
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
World War I, 1917-1918
Hellfighters Let’s Go!
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
WW II, Asiatic-Pacific Theater,
Dec. 1941-Sep. 1945
An
Introduction
to the History and Heritage of the UnitedEastern
States Army
WW
II, European-African-Middle
Theater, June 1942-May 1945
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Korean War, June 1950-July 1953
Breakthrough at Chipyong-ni
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Vietnam, Mar. 1962-Jan. 1973
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Armed Forces Expeditions
Dominican Republic, April 1965-September 1966
Grenada, October-November 1983
Panama, December 1989-January 1990
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Southwest Asia, 1990-1995
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Southwest Asia, 1990-1995
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Kosovo,
March-June
1999
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
The Global War on Terrorism
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
 The Army Birthday
 A Brief History of Campaigns
 Department of the Army Emblem
 The U.S. Army Beret Flash
 The Army Song
 The Army Values
 Soldiers Creed
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Department of the
Army Emblem
Background:
Prior to the establishment of the Department of the
Army Emblem, there was no official display item to
identify the Army. The Army seal traditionally had been
used to authenticate documents only and was not
authorized for display. In recognizing the need to
provide a display item, The Secretary of the Army
approved the design as the official emblem to represent
the Army on 29 January 1974.
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
DA Emblem
continued…
Symbolism:
The symbolism for the elements of the Army emblem is
the same as for the Army seal with the above deviations
and additions: The colors of the design elements are
those traditionally associated with the ideals of the U.S.
and of the Army. The flags are in proper colors.
Blue symbolizes loyalty, vigilance, perseverance & truth.
Red denotes courage, zeal and fortitude.
White alludes to deeds worth of remembrance.
Black is indicative of determination and constancy.
Gold represents achievement, dignity and honor.
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
 The Army Birthday
 A Brief History of Campaigns
 Department of the Army Emblem
 The U.S. Army Beret Flash
 The Army Song
 The Army Values
 Soldiers Creed
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
U.S. Army
Beret Flash
Description:
The Army flash is based on the National colors, white
stars on a blue field, which were carried by the
Continental Army through the Revolutionary War and
present at the victory of Yorktown.
According to historical references, the flags used by the
Continental Army were "blue." The field flag of the
Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army was
light blue with thirteen stars. Other flags of the same
time period were dark blues with thirteen stars.
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
U.S. Army
Beret Flash
continued…
Symbolism:
The blue background is symbolic of the union of
the United States flag and the thirteen stars
represent the original colonies.
Background:
The beret flash was approved on 20 Nov 2000.
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
 The Army Birthday
 A Brief History of Campaigns
 Department of the Army Emblem
 The U.S. Army Beret Flash
 The Army Song
 The Army Values
 Soldiers Creed
“The Army Goes Rolling Along”
Official Song Of The U.S. Army
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
The song was written by field artillery First Lieutenant [later Brigadier
General] Edmund L. Gruber, while stationed in the Philippines in
1908 as the "Caisson Song." The original lyrics reflect routine
activities in a horse-drawn field artillery battery. The song was
transformed into a march by John Philip Sousa in 1917 and
renamed "The Field Artillery Song.”
It was adopted in 1952 as the official song of the Army and re-titled,
"The Army Goes Rolling Along."
The "Army Goes Rolling Along" is played at the conclusion of every
U.S. Army ceremony and all soldiers are expected to stand and sing.
“ThetoArmy
Goes
Rolling
An Introduction
the History
and Heritage
of the Along”
United States Army
Official Song Of The U.S. Army
Intro: March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free
Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory
We’re the Army and proud of our name
We’re the Army and proudly proclaim
Verse: First to fight for the right,
And to build the Nation’s might,
And The Army Goes Rolling Along
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battle’s won,
And the Army Goes Rolling Along.
Refrain: Then it’s Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army’s on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong (TWO! THREE!)
For where e’er we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.
cont…
“ThetoArmy
Goes
Rolling
An Introduction
the History
and Heritage
of the Along”
United States Army
Official Song Of The U.S. Army
Cont…
Click to play:
Verse: Valley Forge, Custer’s ranks,
San Juan Hill and Patton’s tanks,
And the Army went rolling along
Minute men, from the start,
Always fighting from the heart,
And the Army keeps rolling along.
(refrain)
Verse: Men in rags, men who froze,
Still that Army met its foes,
And the Army went rolling along.
Faith in God, then we’re right,
And we’ll fight with all our might,
As the Army keeps rolling along.
(refrain)
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
 The Army Birthday
 A Brief History of Campaigns
 Department of the Army Emblem
 The U.S. Army Beret Flash
 The Army Song
 The Army Values
 Soldiers Creed
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Army Values
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Self-less Service
Honor
Integrity
Personal Courage
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
 The Army Birthday
 A Brief History of Campaigns
 Department of the Army Emblem
 The U.S. Army Beret Flash
 The Army Song
 The Army Values
 Soldiers Creed
Soldier’s Creed
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and
proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my
arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the
United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.
An Introduction to the History and Heritage of the United States Army
Questions?