| 106th Cavalry Group | |
|---|---|
.svg) 106th Cavalry Regiment coat of arms | |
| Active | 1942–1945 2006–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch | Army National Guard |
| Type | Cavalry |
| Role | Reconnaissance and surveillance |
| Size | Regiment |
| Motto(s) | Utcumque Ubique Anywhere at Any Time |
| Colors | yellow, red |
| Equipment | Bantam jeep, M8 Greyhound, M5A1 Stuart, M24 Chaffee |
| Engagements | World War II Normandy Rhineland Belgium Ardennes-Alsace Central Europe |
| Decorations | Distinguished Service Cross (1) Legion of Merit (1) Legion of Honor (1) Croix de Guerre (16) Silver Star (58) Bronze Star Medal (519) |
| Battle honours | 121st CRS: Fourragère 121st CRS: French Croix de guerre with Palm 106th Group: French Croix de guerre with Palm |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Colonel Vennard Wilson Colonel Paul Hastings |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive unit insignia |  |
| U.S. Cavalry Regiments | ||||
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The 106th Cavalry Regiment (formerly organized as a group) was a mechanized cavalry unit of the United States Army in World War II recognized for its outstanding action. The group was organized in 1921 as part of the Illinois National Guard and during the Spanish–American War and World War I was known as the 1st Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. It underwent a number of reorganizations before World War II. Like other Guard units during the inter-war years, the 106th held weekly or monthly drills and yearly training. Readiness for war in 1940 led to the mechanization of the unit and induction into federal service at Camp Livingston, Louisiana on 25 November 1940.
After the Pearl Harbor attack, the 106th trained at Camp Hood, Texas until the spring of 1944 when they deployed to Europe. Upon arriving in England, the group was reorganized into the 106th and 121st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons along with a Group Headquarters. When they were moved to Europe, they were often in the lead of other units. Lightly armed, they scouted ahead to fix enemy locations. For the next year and a half, they fought through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Austria, earning five campaign streamers and two Croix de Guerre from Charles de Gaulle, President of the Provisional French government. The regiment led the Allied advance across the Rhine and were the first unit to attack a town south of the Siegfried Line or West Wall.
In late 2006, the 33rd Brigade Combat Team of the Illinois Army National Guard was formed and the 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry was included in the reorganization. Through the histories of its ancestor units and a series of consolidations and reorganizations, the 106th Cavalry Regiment claims battle honors for the Spanish-American War, World War I, and campaigns in the Pacific War during World War II, in addition to service on the Western Front of World War II.