The United States army dispatched the 9th Infantry Regiment (the archaic designation of a Battalion size element) to assist the Chinese government during the Boxer Rebellion and China Relief expedition. The regiment earned the nickname "Manchus" - a reference to the country. The First and Second Battalions of the regiment are still active today. Manchus are expected to complete a 25 mile footmarch (changed from four 25 mile marches in four days) called the "Manchu Mile" every quarter. Infantry soldiers that complete the march are authorized to wear a special belt buckle on their uniforms. Although only Manchus are required to participate they often invite other units and Soldiers to join in and earn their belt buckles. Boxer forces, 1900 photograph The Boxer Uprising (Traditional Chinese: 義和團起義; Simplified Chinese: 义和团起义; pinyin: ; Righteous Harmony Society Uprising) was an uprising against Western commercial and political influence in China during the final years of the 19th century, from November 1899 to September 7, 1901. ... The Manchu (Manchu: Manju; Simplified Chinese: 满族; Traditional Chinese: 滿族; pinyin: ) are an ethnic group who originated in the dong bei or North East region consisting of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang provinces, collectively known in English as Manchuria. ...

The 9th Infantry has a distinguished combat record. Besides the Boxer Rebellion, the 9th served(as part of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division), in World War I, World War II and the Korean War, fighting in many campaigns, battles, and skirmishes. It is expected to serve soon on combat duty in Iraq. Patch of the United States Army 2nd Infantry Division. ...