4th Alabama History

The birth of the 167th Infantry Regiment of the Alabama National Guard can be split up into four phases covering 9 wars, the Seminole, the Mexican, the War Between the States, World Wars I and II, Korean, Vietnam, The Gulf War and current action in both Afghanistan and Iraq. It all began as companies and personnel worked with independent militia units for the State of Alabama from February of 1836 to May of 1861. On May 4th 1861 these companies formed what is known as the 4th Alabama Infantry of the Confederate States Army. That lasted until July 15th 1911 when the regiment was officially designated as part of the Alabama National Guard.
In World War I it became the United States 167th Infantry Regiment.  During WWI the Fourth Alabama National Guard was briefly restored  until December 16th 1921 when the regiment was renamed the 167th. On January of 1968 the 167th was designated as a mechanized unit and was attached to the 30th Armored Division under command of the 31st Brigade which would split the units in between Tennessee and Alabama. In November of 1973 the unit was reorganized to become a part of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 31st Armored Brigade. In May of 1989 the units were withdrawn from a Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized into a United States Army Regimental System. Members of all 4th Alabama units (consisting of A, B, C and HQ companies) in the state sent volunteers to Exercise Rescue Eagle 2000 which was a joint effort with four additional state National Guard soldiers and troops from 13 NATO and other partnering nations. The exercise took place in Constanta, Romania and  consisted of a disaster relief scenario. Volunteers were also involved with missions in the Gulf War. After September 11th 2001 A,B and C companies where called up to provide homeland security in Operation Noble Eagle. They secured Redstone Arsenal, The Anniston Army Depot and Fort Rucker. In 2005 A Company along with members of B and C Companies where called up for Operation Iraqi Freedom III joining up with Georgia based 48th Brigade. Another volunteer group from all three companies and the Headquarters Unit went over to Afghanistan to aid in the instruction of Afghani Forces. Most recently in 2006 C Company along with volunteers from A and B Companies went on mission in Iraq again this time providing convoy escorts throughout Iraq.  

Interpretation of the Coat of Arms

The shield is white, the old infantry color.
The red cross commemorates the carrying of the intrenched La Croix de Rouge Farm,
below Fere-de-Tardebots in the Soissons Offensive July 22nd, 1918.
 On the rainbow, which symbolizes its membership in the 42nd Rainbow Division,
are five fleur-de-lis representing the five major engagements participated in by the Regiment in the World War.
The motto, "Signa Inferemus" is freely translated to read "We shall drive forward."