History
The Quartermaster Corps is the U.S. Army’s oldest logistics branch, established 16 June 1775. On that date the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution providing for, “One Quartermaster Commandant of the grand Army and a deputy, under him, for the separate Army.” From 1775 to 1912 this organization was known as the Quartermaster Department. In 1912, Congress consolidated the former Subsistence, Pay, and Quartermaster Departments to create the Quartermaster Corps. Quartermaster units and soldiers have served in every U.S. military operation from the Revolutionary War to current operations in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom).
The U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps mission is to support the development, production, acquisition, and sustainment of general supply, subsistence, petroleum and water, Mortuary Affairs, and material and distribution management during peace and war to provide combat power to the U.S. Army.
Each Regiment in the Infantry has maintained a Quartermaster (Supply Sergeant and Logistics Officer) and they are responsible for the request, receipt, issue, and accountability of individual, organizational, installation, and expendable supplies and equipment.
The Supply Sergeant is one of the key personnel in a unit and their importance cannot be understated. The Logistics Officer normally served on the Regiment Staff and would provide the Commander with advice for logistics operations.
A distinguished member of the Regiment, President Ulysses S. Grant served as the Regiment’s Quartermaster during the Mexican-American War. After graduating from West Point in 1843, Grant was assigned to the 4th U.S. Infantry at Jefferson Barracks, south of St. Louis. Grant participated in every major battle of the Mexican-American War except for the Battle of Buena Vista and gained considerable combat experience. As Regimental Quartermaster Officer for the infantry, he was responsible for the transportation and logistics of nearly 1,000 men. Grant’s demonstrated leadership capabilities earned him promotion from Second Lieutenant to Captain. Although naturally suited to the cavalry, Grant received a commission as quartermaster in an infantry unit. During the Mexican War he received two citations for gallantry and one for meritorious conduct while fighting in a number of battles, notably Monterrey, Molino del Rey and Chapultepec. This logistical experience would aid him during his command of the Civil War.