128th Infantry Regiment ( United States ) The 128th Infantry Regiment ( " Les Terribles " ) is a United States military unit of the Wisconsin National Guard . The 128th has served as part of the American Civil War , Spanish - American War , Mexican Civil War , World War I , World War II and the Iraq War . History . The 1st Battalion , 128th Infantry , traces its history to the Spring of 1861 , when the 2nd Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer infantry , comprising independent companies from throughout the state , was organized and activated into Federal service . The 2nd Wisconsin was joined by several other regiments to form the famous " Iron Brigade , " which soon became one of the most feared and respected units on either side in the Civil War for its performance in such battles as Antietam and Gettysburg . Additionally , Eau Claire was home to the soldiers that comprised Company C of the 8th Infantry , otherwise known as the " Eagle Regiment , " because of its famous mascot " Old Abe . " The 8th Wisconsin fought in the western theater at places such as Vicksburg , MS . In 1898 , four infantry regiments from Wisconsin were formed and activated at the outbreak of the Spanish - American War . During that brief conflict , Wisconsin Guardsmen participated in the capture of Puerto Rico . In 1916 , Wisconsin infantry units served with General Pershing to chase Pancho Villa along the Texas border and into northern Mexico . The Wisconsin troops were again activated in 1917 as the U . S . declared war on Germany . After a period of intensive training , the Wisconsin Guardsmen were redesignated as the 128th Infantry , assigned to the 32nd Division and sent to France . In the closing months of the war , the 128th Infantry participated in several major campaigns including Alsace , Aisne - Marne , Oise - Aisne and Meuse - Argonne . For their fury in combat , the nickname " Les Terribles " or " The Terrible Ones " was given to them by the French . As they pierced the famed Hindenburg Line , the 32d Infantry Division became known as the " Red Arrow " Division - a name that has remained to the present day and is reflected in shoulder patch . 21 years later , the 128th , as part of the 32d Division , was called to federal service on 15 October 1940 . After training in Louisiana , the unit was moved by convoy to Port Adelaide , Australia . The 128th , as part of the 32d , broke through the Japanese lines at Buna ( " Bloody Buna " ) New Guinea ; defeated Japanese General Adachi ' s divisions at Saidor and Aitape , New Guinea ; defeated the Japanese Imperial First Marines in Leyte ( Imperial First Marines only loss in 200 years ) ; and pierced the Yamashita Line in Luzon . The 128th Regiment and 32d Division were still in combat action when the cease fire order came on 15 Aug . 1945 . The 32d Infantry Division had been in combat 654 days - more than any U . S . Division in any war . When the cold war peaked with the Soviet blockade of Berlin in October 1961 , President Kennedy became the third U . S . president in the 20th Century to call the 128th , as part of the 32d Infantry Division , to federal active service . The division trained at Ft . Lewis , WA , for 10 months , maintaining a high level of readiness until the crisis abated . In August 1962 its soldiers returned home and resumed their status as Wisconsin National Guardsmen . The 2nd Battalion , 128th Infantry , was formed as a result of the transitioning of the 32d Infantry Brigade from a mechanized unit to a separate light infantry brigade in September 2001 . A metal and enamel device 1 1 / 16 inches ( 2 . 70 cm ) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned as follows : Azure , on a pale Or the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 32d Division Proper ( a Red arrow having shot through a line ) , on a chief of the second three fountains . Attached above on a wreath of the colors Or and Azure , a badger couchant Proper . Attached below and to the sides a Gold scroll inscribed " LES TERRIBLES " in Blue letters . The shield is blue for Infantry . The pale , dividing the shield into thirds , alludes to three of the major offensive engagements in which the organization as an element of the 32d Division participated in World War I . The red arrow is the design of the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 32d Division . Traditionally , the word " Wisconsin " means " wild rushing waters , " thus the three fountains , heraldic symbols for water , appropriately stand for the Wisconsin Army National Guard regiments : First , Second and Third , from which elements stemmed to make up the organization during World War I . The motto translates to " The Terrible Ones . " The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 15 March 1926 . It was amended to revise the description on 20 April 1926 . Azure , on a pale Or the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 32d Division Proper ( a Red arrow having shot through a line ) , on a chief of the second three fountains . That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Wisconsin Army National Guard : On a wreath of the colors Or and Azure , a badger couchant Proper . Coat Of Arms . Blazon . Motto LES TERRIBLES ( The Terrible Ones ) . The shield is blue for Infantry . The pale , dividing the shield into thirds , alludes to three of the major offensive engagements in which the organization as an element of the 32d Division participated in World War I . The red arrow is the design of the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 32d Division . Traditionally , the word " Wisconsin " means " wild rushing waters , " thus the three fountains , heraldic symbols for water , appropriately stand for the Wisconsin Army National Guard regiments : First , Second and Third , from which elements stemmed to make up the organization during World War I . The crest is that of the Wisconsin Army National Guard . The coat of arms was approved on 25 March 1926 . It was amended to revise the blazon of the shield on 20 April 1926 .