An act of Congress approved February 2, 1901 authorized the organization of the Twelfth Regiment of Cavalry at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. In 1903, the regiment was sent to the Philippines and then returned to the US to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia in 1905. In the following years the squadrons of the regiment were assigned to various stations in the western United States. Early in 1914, the 1st Squadron
was ordered to the Lower Rio Grande Valley, 2nd Squadron served in the Colorado strike zone and 3rd Squadron guarded Mexican prisoners in New Mexico and after joined 2nd in the Colorado strike zone. In early 1915 2nd and 3rd squadrons returned to their garrisons. 1st Squadron was on border patrol engaging raiding bandits until February 1916. They were ordered to Corozal, Canal Zone until October 1921. The other squadrons were engaged in various assignments in Texas and New Mexico. After reorganization in 1921, the regiment remained at various posts in South Texas. On 24 March 1923 the 12th Cavalry was assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Division and on January 3, 1933, to 1st Cavalry Division where they participated in several division maneuvers. In 1942 the 12th Cavalry still consisted of horse soldiers. They were dismounted February 28, 1943 and reorganized. The regiment then moved to Australia for training and later key assaults in the South Pacific. The Regiment was instrumental in the liberation of the Philippines in 1944.The highlight of the cavalry’s invasion was reflected in the war cry “First in Manila”.
20 July 1945 the 12th Cavalry reorganized and served on occupation duty in Japan and was inactivated 25 March 1949. The 12 Cavalry was reactivated 15 February 1957 as part of 1st Armor Division and deactivated on 3 February 1962 after taking part in a number of major exercises.
12 Cavalry was redesignated on 15 July 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Battalion, 12 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. On 28 July 1965, the unit was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. In late June 1972, the 12th Cavalry returned from Vietnam to its new home, Fort Hood, Texas as the only mechanized infantry battalion in the division. In fiscal year 1972, the battalion participated in a number of events and programs designed to improve the image of the United States Army in the eyes of the public as well as increasing technical and tactical proficiency. The unit continued to distinguish itself in the following years in exercises and other military maneuvers until the present.
