Round shaped, bronze colored coin 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Click to enlarge
Unit/Organization Information
  • XVIII Airborne Corps
  • 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team
  • 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
  • 3rd Battalion 187th Infantry Regiment
  • A Company
Location
Coin Location: 2R14
Homebase: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Deployment: Afghanistan
Additional Information
Date Acquired: Prior to 21 March 2008
Donated by: Unknown
Copies: 1 of 1

C000067

Location: 2R14 Height: 1.5

Coin: Unit

Active » U.S. Army » Infantry

Narrative

Round shaped, bronze colored coin 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

The 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans) is a regiment of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). The regimental motto is the Latin "Ne Desit Virtus" ("Let Valor Not Fail"). The nickname "Rakkasan", from the Japanese word rakkasan (???) which means "parachute", or literally "falling down umbrella", was given to the 187th during its tour in occupied Japan following World War II.

In 2003, the Rakkasans, were deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry was temporarily attached to the 3rd Infantry Division and accompanied them during the push into Baghdad. While attached to the 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry became one of the first units to invade Baghdad, and were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

The Rakkasans are the only airborne warfare regiment in the history of the Army to fight in every war since the development of airborne tactics. From glider to parachute to air landing to air assault by helicopter, the regiment has entered combat using every mode of airborne assault and has pioneered the tactics that govern these modes of assault.