The era of the horse ridden arrival at the battlefield had elapsed over twenty years ago. Now, the evolution of military tactics and technology had bred a new steed made of steel instead of flesh. Appending the 1st Cavalry Division name with a new designation 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) sealed the unit's focus and added to the way the Army arrived at the battlefield and supported troops in the field.
In 1965, these new mounted troops began deploying to Camp Radcliff located at An Khe, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The troopers would ride the UH-1 and UH-1-C gunship helicopters and be supplied with the CH-47 Chinook and CH-54 Skycrane helicopters. It would not be long before they entered the crucible of battle near Pleiku at the Seige of Plei Me. This operation concluded with the Battle of Ia Drang, memorialized in the book by Joe Galloway "We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young" that described the command of Lt. Colonel Hal Moore and the men of the 7th Cavalry in what became the largest and most complex engagement to date. It was converted to the big screen in the film "We Were Soldiers". The 1st Cavalry Division earned a Presidential Unit Citation for their actions.
The division was near Hue when the Viet Cong launched their Tet Offensive and they participated in breaking the siege at Khe San in support of the US Marines. They followed that with Operation Delaware and the battle of A Shau Valley. In all the 1st Cav was involved in some of the most significant as well as large scale engagements with the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Regular Army. The majority of the Division had returned stateside by early spring of 1971 with the last elements making it home by the summer of 1972.
Ia Drang ( also known as Ia Drang Valley)
A Shau Valley
Signal Hill
Masher (1966)
Masher (1966)
Thayer (1966)
Pershing (1967)
Jeb Stuart (1968)
Pegasus (1968)
Delaware (1968)
Tet Offensive (1968)
Cambodian Incursion (1970)
1st Brigade, "HHC" (All the Way)
2nd Brigade, "HHC" (Black Horse)
3rd Brigade, "HHC" (Garry Owen)
5th Regiment
7th Regiment
8th Regiment
12th Regiment
Artillery:
19th Artillery
20th Artillery
21st Artillery
26th Artillery
30th Artillery
77th Artillery
82nd Artillery
Support:
14th Mil History Detachment
26th Chemical Detachment
215th Support Battalion
501st Engineer Company
525th Signal
Temporary and Attached:
2nd Sqdn, 11th Armored Cavalry
34th Inf Platoon, (Scout Dog Patrol
62nd Inf Platoon, (Combat Trackers)
75th Infantry Rangers, "H" Company
Brigade Radio Research Detachment (Prov)
191st Mil Intelligence Company
2nd Bn, 327th Inf Regiment, 101st AB Div
405th Radio Receiver Detachment
483rd Mil Police Platoon
11th AVIATION GROUP (CAG)
Major General Harry William Osborne Kinnard July 1965 – May 1966
MG John "Jack" Norton May 1966 – March 1967)
MG John J. Tolson, III (March 1967 – August 1968)
Brigadier General Richard Logan Irby (August 1968 – August 1968)
MG George T. Forsythe (August 1968 – April 1969)
MG E. B. Roberts (May 1969 – May 1970)
MG George William Casey, Sr. (May 1970 – July 1970)
MG George W. Putnam (August 1970 – May 1971)
MG James Cliffton Smith May 1971 – (January 1973)
1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
Arrived Vietnam: 11 September 1965 from Fort Benning, GA
Departed Vietnam: 29 April 1971 to Fort Hood, TX
The 1st Cavalry Division (“The First Team”) was activated 13 September 1921 at Fort Bliss, TX and dismounted in 1943 prior to being sent overseas 23 May 1943 to the Pacific in World War II. It fought first in the Admiralty Islands in February 1944 and landed at Leyte in the Philippines 20 October 1944 and became the first to enter Manila, sending another flying column 100 miles inland to liberate allied prisoners. It left Luzon for occupation duty in Japan and was the first U.S. division into Tokyo, arriving there 8 September 1945. The division remained there until rushed into Korea, where it carried out the first amphibious invasion at Pohangdong and was the first U.S. division to enter the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. In December 1951 it was moved back to Japan (service in Korea was 18 July 1950 - 22 December 1951). In 1957 it redeployed to Korea. At Fort Benning the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) was raised in 1963 and thoroughly tested in airmobile tactics during 1964. In June 1965 the colors of the 1st Cavalry Division were flown to Fort Benning and the 11th Air Assault Division’s assets transferred to the 1st Cavalry Division, which was then sent to Vietnam as the first full division of the U.S. Army to arrive. During October- November 1965 the 1st Cavalry Division fought the enemy to a standstill in the bitter battle of la Drang Valley in Pleiku Province, receiving a Presidential Unit Citation. For the next 13 months members of “The First Team” met and defeated strong enemy forces throughout the II Corps Tactical Zone. In the spring of 1966, the 1st Cavalry Division fought to clear Binh Dinh Province in a series of operations known as MASHER/WHITE WING/THANG PHONG II which became the first large unit operations across corps boundaries when the U.S. Marines crossed into Binh Dinh to link up with the 1st Cavalry Division. In August 1966 the division went into Pleiku Province in Operation PAUL REVERE II. Battalion-sized elements of the division’s Skytroopers were also battling in Binh Thuan Province from August 1966 through January 1968. In October 1966 the division teamed up with the Republic of Korea and South Vietnamese forces in Binh Dinh Province in Operation IRVING. From the end of October into February of 1967 the 1st Cavalry Division continued to clear Binh Dinh Province in Operation THAYER II, which was in turn followed by Operation PERSHING in the rich northern coastal plain as well as the Kim Son and Luoi Ci Valleys to the west. Throughout the remainder of 1967 the division combated the North Vietnamese Army’s 610th Division and Viet Cong units in the II Corps Tactical Zone. In January 1968 the division was ordered to I Corps Tactical Zone, arriving in time to blunt the enemy’s Tet offensive. Elements in II Corps continued the fight for Binh Dinh Province in Operation PERSHING II in February 1968, but because of events the larger part of the division was committed to the contest near Hue. Then the 1st Cavalry Division moved swiftly to relieve the embattled U.S. Marine base at Khe Sanh in April 1968, along with other U.S. Marine and South Vietnamese airborne battalions.
During the Tet offensive the division performed well, clearing Quang Tri City and crushing resistance on the northwest and southwest walls of the Imperial city of Hue outside the Citadel. In April and May the division was rushed into the A Shau Valley to preempt enemy preparations for another attack in the Hue vicinity; the balance of the year was spent on sustained operations along the border of Quang Tri and Thua Thien Provinces. In October 1968 the 1st Cavalry Division was needed in III Corps Tactical Zone to thwart a potential enemy threat north of Saigon. While thrusting against enemy positions along the Cambodian border northwest of the capital, some elements of the division moved further south into IV Corps Tactical Zone, working with U.S. Naval forces in an operation called NAV-CAV. Thus the 1st Cavalry Division became the first American division to have fought in all four tactical zones in the Republic of Vietnam. During the summer of 1969 the enemy made frequent attacks attempting to overrun division firebases, actions which were costly to both sides. During May and June of 1970 the 1st Cavalry Division invaded Cambodia although strategic success was somewhat hampered by a restriction of 30-kilometer advance. The 1st Cavalry Division had recorded an unparalleled series of firsts as well as demonstrating the effectiveness of airmobile warfare. As part of the Phase VI Redeployment Increment, the bulk of the division was withdrawn from Vietnam during the spring of 1971. The division headquarters was credited with 2,056 days overseas. The 1st Cavalry Division left behind a brigade task force centered around the 3rd Brigade.
1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) Order of Battle: Assigned and Attached Units
Cavalry Battalions (Airmobile Infantry)
1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry
2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry
1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry
2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry
5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry
1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry
2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry
1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry
2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry
Division Aviation
11th Aviation Group
227th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter)
228th Aviation Battalion (Assault Support Helicopter)
229th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter)
11th Aviation Company (General Support]
17th Aviation Company (Fixed Wing Transport)
478th Aviation Company (Heavy Helicopter]
Other Aviation Assets*
110th Aviation Company (Aerial Weapons]
131st Aviation Company (Aerial Weapons)
132nd Aviation Company (Assault Support Helicopter)
133rd Aviation Company (Assault Support Helicopter]
194th Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter)
202nd Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter)
Company A, 4th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter)
Company A, 5th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter)
Aviation Company, 6th Special Forces Group (Assault Helicopter)
Aviation Company, 7th Special Forces Group (Assault Helicopter)
(*Assets of these aviation companies listed above were utilized to build the 11 aviation companies of the 227th, 228th and 229th Aviation Battalions of the division, since at the deployment date only Company A of the 227th Aviation Battalion had complete equipment and personnel required. Though officially these were never part of the division’s aviation force, many early documents and official records in the September - November 1965 time frame still carry the above companies by name in lieu of the proper aviation battalion lettered companies.)
Division Artillery
2nd Battalion, 17th Artillery (105mm]
2nd Battalion, 19th Artillery (105mm)
2nd Battalion, 20th Artillery (Aerial Rocket)
1st Battalion, 21st Artillery (105mm)
1st Battalion, 30th Artillery (155mm)
1st Battalion, 77th Artillery (105mm)
Battery E, 82nd Artillery (Aviation)
Division Reconnaissance
1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry (Air]
11th Pathfinder Company (Provisional)
Company E, 52nd Infantry (Long Range Recon)
Company H, 75th Infantry (Ranger)
Other Units on Temporary Assignment
1st Battalion, 50th Infantry (Mechanized)
2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry (Mechanized)
1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry
2nd Squadron 11th Armored Cavalry
3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry
Division Support
1st Personnel Service Battalion (Provisional)
8th Engineer Battalion
13th Signal Battalion
15th Medical Battalion
15th Supply & Service Battalion
15th Transportation Battalion (Aircraft Maintenance]
27th Maintenance Battalion
15th Administrative Company
371st Army Security Agency Company
545th Military Police Company
26th Chemical Platoon
184th Chemical Platoon
14th Military History Detachment
191st Military Intelligence Company
583rd Military Intelligence Detachment
41st Public Information Detachment
42nd Public Information Detachment
1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) Elements Vietnam Service
Division Headquarters and HQ Company 11 Sep 65 - 29 Apr 71
1st Brigade Headquarters and HQ Company 12 Sep 65 - 29 Apr 71
2nd Brigade Headquarters and HQ Company 12 Sep 65 - 26 Mar 71
3rd Brigade Headquarters and HQ Company* 12 Sep 65 - 26 Jun 72
(*Considered as a separate command)
Division Artillery Headquarters and HQ Battery 12 Sep 65 - 29 Apr 71
Support Command Headquarters and HQ Company 12 Sep 65 - 29 Apr 71
Division Headquarters Locations in Vietnam
An Khe Sep 65 - Jun 67
An Khe/Bong Son Jul 67 - Jan 68
An Khe/Hue Feb 68
An Khe/Phong Dien Mar 68 - Apr 68
An Khe/Quang Tri May 68
An Khe/Phong Dien Jun 68 - Oct 68
An Khe/Phuoc Vinh Nov 68 - Apr 69
Bien Hoa/Phuoc Vinh* May 69 - Apr 71
(*Cambodian invasion May - Jun 70)
3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Separate)
Arrived Vietnam: 30 Apr 71*
(*Date after the division departed Vietnam and the 3rd Brigade became separate in Vietnam. The brigade first arrived 12 September 1965 with the rest of the division)
Departed Vietnam: 26 Jun 72
Commanders
Brigadier General Jonathan R. Burton Apr 71
Brigadier General James F. Hamlet Dec 71
The 3rd Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division was a separate command created after the bulk of the division departed Vietnam. It served in the III Corps Tactical Zone until redeployed from Vietnam, being in turn reduced to Task Force GARRY OWEN, built around the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry and minor supporting units formed in Jul 72.
3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Separate) Order of Battle: Assigned and Attached Units
Cavalry Battalions (Airmobile Infantry)
2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry
1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry
2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry
1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry
Brigade Aviation
229th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter)
362nd Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter)
Troop F, 9th Cavalry (Air)
Brigade Artillery
1st Battalion, 21st Artillery (105mm)
Battery F, 26th Artillery (105mm), Provisional
Battery F, 77th Artillery (Aviation)
Battery F, 79th Artillery (Aerial Rocket)
Other Units on Temporary Duty
2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry
Brigade Support
215th Support Battalion
501st Engineer Company
525th Signal Company
26th Chemical Detachment
14th Military History Detachment
Headquarters Location in Vietnam: Bien Hoa
There are 55 soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division Vietnam still listed as missing in action.
There are 14 soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division Vietnam that have been identified and recovered.
| Warrant Officer First Class Paul V. Black 11th Aviation Company, 1st Cavalry Division Missing: 03/01/1971, Recovered: 12/6/1995 |
| Specialist 5 John L. Burgess 227th Aviation Battalion Missing: 06/30/1970, Recovered: 4/10/2012 |
| Colonel Sheldon J. Burnett 1st Squadron Missing: 03/07/1971, Recovered: 10/4/2004 |
| Chief Warrant Officer Third Class Arthur F. Chaney 9th Cavalry Regiment Missing: 05/03/1968, Recovered: 6/11/1985 |
| Specialist 4 John E. Crowley 1st Squadron Missing: 08/10/1970, Recovered: 6/26/1998 |
| Staff Sergeant Larry G. Harrison 9th Cavalry Regiment Missing: 02/26/1971, Recovered: 9/21/1995 |
| Chief Warrant Officer Second Class Bobby L. McKain 9th Cavalry Regiment Missing: 05/03/1968, Recovered: 6/11/1985 |
| First Lieutenant James R. McQuade Troop F, 8th Cavalry Regiment Missing: 06/11/1972, Recovered: 10/7/1994 |
| Sergeant William D. Port 7th Cavalry Regiment Missing: 01/12/1968, Recovered: 8/14/1985 |
| Captain Henry M. Spengler 79th Artillery Battalion Missing: 04/05/1972, Recovered: 4/27/1989 |
| Captain Jon E. Swanson 9th Cavalry Regiment Missing: 02/26/1971, Recovered: 9/21/1995 |
| Chief Warrant Officer Second Class Michael B. Varnado 229th Aviation Battalion Missing: 05/02/1970, Recovered: 4/27/1989 |
| Staff Sergeant Robert N. Vennik 1st Squadron Missing: 08/26/1971, Recovered: 6/27/2000 |
| Chief Warrant Officer Second Class Charles C. Windeler 79th Artillery Battalion Missing: 04/05/1972, Recovered: 4/27/1989 |
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