27th Infantry
Regimental Museum
1st Battalion Headquarters
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
The Regiment has a long history and it has always been proud to display it for all to see. Back in the 1930's the Regiment displayed trophies and war
memorabilia in the D Quad Sallyport -- what we now call a breeze-way. After winning sporting events, the Regiment would march from the field to the quad entering through the Sallyport, that being the entrance for "Champions". Display cases in the Sallyport contained the Regiments trophies, both from combat actions and from sporting events. Some of the items in this photo have been lost while many others have been preserved by a long line of Wolfhounds.
Army tradition and regulations require the first battalion of each regiment to care for the regiment's artifacts and memorbilia. This is not a task taken lightly. After the 1st Battalion returned from Vietnam they constructed a "Regimental Room" in the battalion headquarters and displayed the regiments artifacts. The grand opening of the room was attended by numerous dignitaries as well as several Wolfhound Medal of Honor awardees.
There were several changes over the years in the way the Regiment's memorabilia was displayed. In the 80's the 1st Battalion created a walking tour of the Regiments history in the Headquarters. In September 1995 the 1st Battalion embarked on a new plan to consolidate the artifacts in a "Regimental Room" and a secure archives facility. Professional museum standards for display and storage ensures that the artifacts, books, documents, photographs, and trophies remain in good condition for generations of Wolfhounds. Some artifacts date back as far as the War of 1812 -- long before the official lineage of the Regiment was started.
Funding for the project was severely limited, so the majority of the work was done by soldiers with the support of the Troop Self Help Store on Schofield Barracks. Security, ease of access, and the ability to maintain strict climate
controls were considerations in choosing the site for the museum. Construction began in the first of four rooms that would become the Regimental Operations section of the 1st Battalion. The Regimental Store was completed first, followed by the office for the Honorary Regimental Sergeant Major, and the secure archive facility.
The Regimental Room began with the walls being ripped out to repair faulty air conditioner drain lines and the drop ceiling being replaced. After new drywall was installed, the soldiers hung wallpaper and installed new track lighting. A new tile floor was laid and the seals around the doors and windows were replaced. Several display cases were loaned to the regiment from the Museum of the Army in Waikiki while others were constructed to strict specifications. In order to make the room multifunctional, a large conference table was constructed with "plywood and 2x4's" and painted with the Regimental Crest on each side and the Regimental Coat of Arms in the center. The soldiers did such a great job on the table no one ever believes what they had to work with. 
In order to save money, the soldiers spent time in the post Arts and Craft shop learning how to make picture frames and then demonstrated their abilities by framing the Regimental Colors and Regimental Lineage and Honors certificate and a miniature Battalion Colors and Lineage and Honors certificate for each of the four Wolfhound Battalions. In the corner is a stainless steel statue of Kolchak that was given to the regiment by Mr. Akio Aoyama, a long time supporter of the Holy Family Home and an ardent fan of the Wolfhounds.
Each of the display cases were arranged with artifacts from the Regiment's long and colorful history. The first case holds a set of original handwritten general orders, several photographs and sketches from the Philippine Insurrection, the Regimental Colors carried by the regiment in Siberia in 1918, a fur cap worn by veterans of the AEF-Siberia and a round from one of the "Destroyer" trains. In other cases copies of the Wolfhound "Bark" can be found, trophies from the various sporting events the Regiment has won, the helmet worn by General John "Mike" Michaelis, a map donated by Major General Meloy, and the casing from the last round fired in support of the 1st Battalion in the Vietnam War, in addition to many more artifacts. Many more of the artifacts are secured in the archives for preservation.
The Regimental Room had its Grand Re-Opening on 27 September 1996 during the Tropic Lightning Reunion with over 300 guests in attendance. It is a favorite tourist stop, located only steps from the Tropic Lightning Museum. It is open most days of the week, depending on military requirements. Call 808-655-9197/4159 or write to Commander, ATTN: S-2 (Regt Opns), 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii 96857 for more information.
(l-r, Maj Orlov, MSG Hornbrook, COL Millett, SGM O'Reilly, SSG Malachowski, CSM Washington)
Anyone wishing to donate items to the Regiment can contact the webmaster or the 1st Battalion S2 for more information.
