The 1/38 Evzone Regiment was formed in Karditsa, Thessaly, as the 1st Evzone Regiment (1° Σύνταγμα Ευζώνων) shortly before the outbreak of the Balkan Wars, from the 8th and 9th independent Evzone battalions. It participated in the Balkan Wars, initially as part of the 6th Infantry Division, fighting in the battles of Sarantaporos, Giannitsa, Bizani (where it played a distinguished role under Major Ioannis Velissariou), Kilkis–Lachanas and Kresna–Djumaya (where the regiment lost almost half its strength and all three of its battalion commanders).