2d U.S. Cavalry
                Formed in 1836 as the 2nd Dragoons; the regiment remains the longest continuous-serving mounted unit in United States history.  Early campaigns included the Seminole Indian War in Florida and the Mexican War. The regiment served next in the western territories intervening between European settlers, natives, and bandits. The 2nd Dragoons saw action in Kansas and Utah just prior to 1861.
                In August 3, 1861, the unit became the 2nd United States Cavalry.  During the American Civil War the regiment served in the "Reserve Cavalry Brigade" in the Army of the Potomac and participated in most major combat engagements of the eastern theater including Bull Run, Peninsula Campaign, Antietam, Brandy Station, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Valley Campaign, etc.
The regiment returned West after the conflict where they again engaged in the Indian campaigns through 1890. The 2nd Cavalry saw duty in the Spanish American War and served in France with their horses during World War I.  Due to changes in modern warfare the 2nd Cavalry gave up their horses and sabers, and formed a mechanized unit during World War II.
                Post World War II, the 2nd Cavalry played an important role providing security and stability in war-torn West Germany. Later, the 2nd Cavalry became the 2nd "Armored" Cavalry and transitioned its mission to one of deterrence in Europe during the Cold War.
                More recent operations include: DESERT STORM, UPHOLD DEMOCRACY (Haiti)Bosnia-Herzegovina and IRAQI FREEDOM.
                The regiment still serves today as the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment based in Vilseck, Germany. 

Spanish-American War
                The Spanish-American War in 1898 found the Regiment in Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico. They were assembled in Georgia as all Regular Army Units and several hundred thousand volunteers began to assemble in the southern United States. This was the first time that the entire Regiment had been together since the Civil War. They moved to Mobile, Alabama, in preparation for movement to Cuba. Troops A, C, D, and F boarded transports with their horses, and the remainder of the Regiment moved overland to Tampa, Florida, where the rest of the forces were being assembled. Due to a lack of transports, the remainder of the Regiment did not board ships, but instead gave up its wagons to assist the movement of Teddy Roosevelt’s "Rough Riders" to the ships.                                The four troops that arrived in Cuba found that they were the only horse-mounted cavalry available for the campaign. They worked primarily for General Shafter, the commander of troops in Cuba, doing a variety of jobs. Teddy Roosevelt observed that "the Second Cavalrymen are everywhere. All day long you see them. All night long you hear their clattering hooves."