Year Book information
for 1/1 CAV
F/8 CAV

From date 670901 to 680601


1/1 CAV was a US Army unit
F/8 CAV was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Tin Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Chu Lai
Description: This was donated by Louis Conners a door gunner/crewchief with A/123rd Cbt Avn Bn (1st Flt Plt) in 1969. He received the booklet after he participated in an action with the 1st/1st Cav. After which his crew was made honorary members of the 1st/1st Cav. In this action the tracks buttoned up their hatches in order for he and his door gunner to clear the enemy climbing on the 1st/1st Cav tracks. His pilot, Mr. McCaig received, a Distinguished Flying Cross as commander of the mission. "FIRST SQUADRON, FIRST CAVALRY" The 1st/1st Cav Regiment crest in embossed Gold and Yellow include the words "ANIMO ET FIDE". A black hawk is shown within an eight pointed star of yellow. At the bottom of the booklet is "FIRST REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS" in gold embossed letters. Page 1. FIRST SQUADRON, FIRST CAVALRY, "FIRST REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS" Page 2. [Color photo with unit formation carrying unit colors along with the South Vietnamese flag.] Caption: "The United States Army's Most Battle Honored Unit" Page 3. In Dedication to those Dragoons who have made the greatest Sacrifice on the field of Battle September 1967 to June 1968 1LT Garland D. Whitmore, SP4 Richard Saldana, PFC Lawrence Svobodny, SP4 Jere D. Farrow, PFC George H. Winkenpleck, SSG Arlie Terry, PFC John L. Jones, PFC Joseph Caravajal, PFC David P. Kusy, PFC Henry B. Williams, PFC David E. Ward, SP4 Bruce Badger, SP4 Ralph Plummer, PFC George Kohlmeir, PSG Hilliard Williams, SP4 Robert Rassell, SSG Coleman G. Hillman, 1LT Ronald Wojtkiewicz, PFC Richard Balukonis, PFC George H Coppage III, PFC Michael Saunders, PFC Willie E. Glover, CPT John Barovetto, PFC Allen D. Hanlin, PFC Francis P. Schmaultz, PFC David E. Gossard, PFC Donald W. Pickering, SP4 Kimmey D. Hobbs, SP4 Earl C. Minard, PFC Walter M. Powell, PFC Florian A. Bugni Jr., SP4 David F. Cosby, SGT Robert B. Selby, SP4 Richard J. Cullen, SP4 Thomas L. Scott, SP4 Peter F. Fonda, PFC Jerry W. Gentry, SP4 Stephen F. Turner, SP4 August Battaglia, SGT Richard A. Renfro, SSG David Wainscott, PFC Edward A. Moldavan, PFC Robert F. Nitz, 1LT Donald J. Mattaro, SGT Jack R. Lockridge, SP4 James W. Powers, SGT Edgar L. Bolding, PFC Harold Henasey, SSG Michael W. Elben, PFC Stephen Laskinsky , SFC Thomas R. Kisner, SP4 Alonso Aragon Jr., PFC Eugene Manigo, SP4 Roger D. Cauley, SP4 Leslie D. Matchett, SSG Aaron Hartness, PFC John A. Rogers, SP4 Daniel Thompson, SP4 Herbert C. Davis, 1LT Thomas L. Butler, PFC John L. Adams, SP4 Patrick Scognamilio, SP4 Ronald J. Tebbe, SSG Elwood L. Houston, SP4 Louis L. Bradley, SP4 John L. Roberts, PFC Ralph E. Consauage, SP4 Brandt S. Nebacher, SP4 Zuillard F. Williams SP5 John L. Hasford Page 4. [B&W Photo of Major General Samuel W. Koster on the upper left. B&W Americal Division patch on the upper right.] Caption: Major General Samuel W. Koster was commanding general, Americal Division when the First Cavalry was assigned as Division Cavalry. It was during his command that the Dragoons compiled their superior battle record in Vietnam. Page 5. [B&W 1st/1st Regiment crest on the upper left. B&W photo of LTC W.C. COUSLAND on the upper right.] Caption: The kinship of shared dangers and the memories of remarkable accomplishments will, I hope, be fostered through the years. This book is designed to help you remember your exploits in the dedication to your country and an allied nation. You are a remarkably find Squadron: courageous in battle, humble in victory, and selfless in your dedication to your fellow man. I hope you will recall always with fond remembrances this magnificent chapter in your lives and in the long tradition of the First Regiment of Dragoons. W.C. COUSLAND, LTC Cavalry, Commanding Page 6. History of the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry B&W image of a pre-civil war soldier with the caption: "Blackhawk". More than one hundred and thirty years of service is the proud heritage of the First Cavalry Regiment, the oldest regiment of cavalry in the United States Army and the first regiment of cavalry to be completely mechanized. It traces its history to 1833, when, as a result of the need for a mounted force to protect the pioneers who were pushing westward across the Mississippi River into the Indian country, Congress authorized the organization of "The United States Regiment of Dragoons," which became the "First Regiment of Dragoons" in 1836 and the "First Regiment of Cavalry" in 1861. Troops A, B, C, D, and E with Regimental Headquarters, were organized at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri in the summer and fall of 1833, and marched from there to Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. They were joined at Fort Gibson in the spring of 1834 by Troops F, G, H, I, and K, which had also been organized at Jefferson Barracks. The Regiment soon found itself scattered along the Indian frontier through Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, and Minnesota, living the hard life of the pioneer. In addition to this frontier duty the Regiment pushed west on long marches to explore a practically unknown country and to protect the settlers traveling the Santa Fe Trail. These marches extended as far as Western Wyoming and often covered more than 2,000 miles. The Regiment participated in the Mexican War and then, until 1861, again fought Indian Wars in Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington. Located in Arizona and on the Pacific Coast at the outbreak of the Civil War, the Regiment joined the Army of the Potomac and fought with that arm in all of its principal battles. With the close of the Civil War, the Regiment resumed its Indian campaigns, fighting Apaches in Arizona and various other tribes throughout the west. Page 7. From its far western posts, the Regiment was assembled at Chicamauga for the Spanish-American War, took part in that war and the Philippine Insurrection that followed, and returned to the United States in 1903. It served on the Mexican border during World War I and in 1944 was the first cavalry regiment to be completely mechanized, being designated the First Armored Regiment (L) in 1940, and became part of the First Armored Division stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. [B&W photo of a 1st/1st Cav formation on horse.] In 1942 the Regiment was deployed to Ireland with the 1st Armored Division and subsequently fought throughout North Africa and Italy. After World War II, the Regiment was reorganized as the 1st Tank Battalion and later converted to the 1st Constabulary Squadron, serving on occupation duty in Germany until December, 1948, when it was inactivated. Reactivated as the 1st Medium Tank Battalion in March, 1951 at Fort Hood, Texas, the Regiment served with Combat Command A, 1st Armored Division, until February 1962 when the remainder of the 1st Armored Division was reactivated. At this time the Regiment was redesignated as the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, and resumed its historic role as the "eyes and ears" of its parent organization. During October, 1962, as result of the Cuban Crisis, the Squadron moved to Fort Stewart, Georgia with other elements of the Division. As the world situation eased, the Squadron participated in a STRAC mobility exercise and amphibious training at Port Everglades, Florida. During the spring of 1963 the Squadron took part in the STRICOM exercise "Swift Strike", and then returned to Fort Hood. In January, 1967, the squadron commander was called to Vietnam to assist in a study of the role of Armor in Vietnam. Upon his return to Fort Hood, Texas in March, 1967, the Squadron began to form and train for Vietnam. From March to August 1967, the officers and men of the Squadron trained daily in all phases of Squad, Platoon, Troop and Squadron operations. During this period of training, the Squadron received superior ratings in their annual training test, annual general inspection, and Command Maintenance Management Inspections. The Squadron surpassed every assigned mission with such professionalism, that in late July, 1967, the Squadron was awarded the Third US Army Corps Superior Unit Award. Page 8. Upon their arrival in Vietnam in August, 1967, the 1st Squadron was deployed in I Corps Tactical Zone around the city of Chu Lai. The Squadron was committed to battle two days after its arrival and has been in the field operating against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong continuously since that time. Since September 1, 1967 the Squadron has been involved in eleven major battles and numerous smaller engagements. Cigar Island, Que Son Valley, Pineapple Forest, the Western Valley and Tam Ky have been the sights of repeated defeats for the enemy. Since its arrival through the month of June, 1968, the Squadron has accounted for over 2200 enemy killed, 70 prisoners of war and 239 crew served and individual weapons captured. Instrumental in many of the successes of the Squadron has been Troop F, 8th Cavalry. The air cavalry troop was attached to the Squadron in January, 1968. As the eyes and ears of the Squadron, the air cavalrymen have repeated found the enemy and led the ground cavalrymen to them. As the battle ensued, they would provide aerial fire support. In the Pineapple Forest battle of February 27 and 28, 1968, the ground-air cavalry team had its greatest victory, killing 180 of the enemy without losing one of their own number. The devastating firepower and great mobility of the ground-air cavalry team has proven an unbeatable combination. Page 9. The First Cavalry has a proud tradition of more than one hundred thirty years of distinguished service in the United States Army. This heritage is symbolized by the Squadron's sixty-eight Battle Honors, more than any other unit in the United States Army. [The 68 battle honors are not included in this document.] Page 10. Vietnam 1967-68 [B&W photo captioned: Hawk's Nest] (Note: this appears to be at Hawk Hill (AKA Hill 29) not far from Tam Ky. A sign in front of the headquarters says: "The United States Army's Most Battle Honored Unit" [the rest of the sign is not included in this document]. Page 11. Upper left: B&W 1st/1st crest. Upper right: Photo of shirtless soldier in cupola. Caption: You say you've been to Sydney? Lower center: Photo of two captains and one Major Wade E. Medbery in front of 1st/1st Cav headquarters sign. Caption: Hear no evil-See no evil-Speak no evil. Page 12. Upper left: B&W photo of ACAV raising dust as it heads for a fuel bladder. Caption: The dry season Upper right: B&W 1st/1st crest Lower center: Photo of an ACAV with crew at the ready. Infantry in position nearby. Caption: In Que Son Valley Page 13. Upper Right: B&W photo of tanks & tracks online Caption: Alright-does everybody have enough beer? Middle: B&W photo of ACAVs running in line through paddies. Caption: Dragoons on the make! Bottom photo: B&W photo looking out towards the mountains as ACAVs head into a rice paddy surrounded with a thick tree line. Caption: Into the wool. Page 14. Upper Left: B&W photo of a bridging track setting up a bridge over a small river with deep gullies. Caption: The things you can do with an erector set! Lower Left: B&W photo of a track making it's way through steep drops. Caption: Makin' tracks Lower Right: B&W photo of an ACAV making a river crossing. Water is only a foot below the front lights. Caption: Surf's up! Page 15. Upper Left: B&W photo of a LOH (OH-6A) scouting above a structure. Caption: Blue Ghost screens the flanks. Middle Right: B&W photo of ACAVs and Tanks. The smoke from their firing is starting to obscure treelines in the background. Caption: Contact! Middle Left: B&W 1/1st Cav crest. Lower Left: B&W photo of showing a gunner on a track manning a .50 caliber gun. The track is following a tank. Smoke inthe air indicates there has been some firing. Caption: Niner zeros sound off! (reference to the 90mm cannons on the M-48 tanks?) Page 16. Upper left: B&W photo: Off in the distance a black plume from an airstrike rises. Caption: Helix (Air Force spotter plane) strikes again. Middle right: B&W photo: Tracks on line with thick black smoke in front. Caption: Zippo-guaranteed to light every time. Lower left: B&W photo: Two slicks passing over tracks in a rice paddy. Caption: Blue Ghost riders in the sky Page 17. Upper Left: B&W photo: Tanks passing through a defensive position raising dust. Caption: The early days-Fat City (Referral to an LZ north of Chu Lai). Middle Right: B&W photo: Crew standing by their tank in defensive positions. One track is nearly off. Caption: After operations maintenance? Lower Left: B&W photo: Older bald soldier speaking on the microphone set. Caption: Voice of the Hawk. Page 18. Upper Center: B&W photo. A soldier sans shirt bends over as a Vietnamese woman pours water from a gallon can over his head on a hot day. Caption: The pause that refreshes. Bottom Center: B&W photo. Soldiers with an ARVN soldier communicate with Vietnamese villagers. The ARVN soldier is pointing to the right to confirm a direction as he converses with the villagers. Caption: "300 NVA moved through here last night" Page 19. Upper Left: B&W 1st/1st Cav crest.Upper Right: B&W photo of deuce and a half truck an crewman. A small dog is walking near the crewman. Caption: Redball Express Lower Left: B&W photo of an awards presentation formation. It appears MG Samuel W. Koster is the presenter. Caption: Presentation of Awards. Page 20. Upper Left: B&W Photo: A Chinook helicopter on the way in carrying a slingload of supplies. Photo Caption: Pop smoke! Upper Right: B&W 1st/1st Cav crest. Lower Center: B&W photo of ACAVs attempting to pull an M-48 tank out of deep hole or up a steep incline. Caption: Keep pulling! Page 21. Upper Right: B&W photo of three soldiers loaded with only rifles and ammunition on the move at a run. Caption: Blue Ghost Blues Middle Left: B&W 1st/1st Cav crest. Middle Right: B&W photo of a soldier in a tunnel with a .45 pistol. Caption: Tunnel Rat. Lower Right: B&W photo of a slick painted up in Red Cross colors. Caption: Dustoff Page 22. Upper Middle: B&W photo of crews on a tank in the background and a crew on an ACAV in the foreground. One ACAV crewmember has a white bandage on his head. Caption: Charlie 5 models this year's mod head gear Bottom Middle: B&W photo of showing ACAVs trying to free a tank stuck in a hole. Caption: Now, how would they do it at Fort Knox? Page 23. Upper Middle: B&W photo of an ACAV crew awaiting orders to move out. Caption: Take a break! Bottom Middle: B&W photo: Conexes, tents, bunkers, some buildings, and the smoke rising from the daily feces burning? Photo Caption: Base Camp (Hawk Hill?) Page 24. Full page color photo of medals: At the top is the Distinguished Service Medal, coming down on the left is a Silver Star, then to the right is the Bronze Star with "V" device, the word "V A L O R", then on the left is an Air Medal with "V" device, then on the right is an Army Commendation medal with "V" device, then finally at the center bottom is a distinguished Flying Cross. Page 25. Distinguished Service Cross: 1LT James A. Taylor [later upgraded to CMOH, he even appeared on Ed Sullivan show], PSG Charles N. Boyd Silver Star: 1LT Rhesa Barksdale, SP4 Gary L. Henspeter, 1LT Raymond H. Mahoy with OLC, PFC William F. Preston, SP4 Dean E. Wingrove, CPT John Barovetto, SSG Gary L. Boggs, SSG Kenneth L. Bouche, PSG Sidney M. Cheek, SP4 Troy L. Clancy, SP4 Raymond Dezara, SP4 Edward D. Dickson, SP4 James B. Stufflick, SP4 Michael J. Sears, 1LT George R. Wallace III, PFC Curtis J. Tinker with OLC, SSG Elzie R. Wilhoite with OLC, 1LT William L. Wheeler, SP5 Michael A. Esmond, SP4 James G. Chamberlain, SP4 Jerry W. Gentry, SSG Kenneth B. French, SP4 John L. Jones, LTC Richard H. Harrington, SSG Jesse F. Sullivan, CPT David H. Staley with OLC, SSG Albert E. Utley, MAJ Crosbie E. Saint, SGT Michael B. Barnes, SP4 Eddie Griffin, SP5 Marvin A. Barnard, CPT Ralph P. Brown with OLC, SP4 Lee Visner, PSG Charles N. Boyd with OLC, CPT David E. Roesler, 1LT Francisco Mantua, 1LT Ronald L. Snyder, MAJ Donald C. Lundquist, SGT Eugene Black, SSG Ronald D. Schilter, SP4 Dick L. Taskey, SSG Bobby R. Butler, CPT Billy J. McKenzie with OLC, 1LT Conley L. Smedley, LTC Walter C. Cousland with OLC, MAJ James D. Maret, SP5 George J. Hills, 1LT Thomas L. Butler, SSG Antonio M. Garcia, PSG Gil J. Martinez, CPT Michael B. Prothero, SP4 Ronald P. Bradford, PSG Herman R. Jesse, 1LT Ronald J. Wojtkiewicz, 1LT David Wilkins, SP4 William McKinney, 1LT George E. Norton III, 1SG William McPherson, and SP4 Gerald F. Peplinsky. Distinguished Flying Cross: CPT David H. Staley, LTC Walter C. Cousland, CW2 Gregory G. Ross, CW2 Harold F. Nicely, 1LT Donald R. Williamson, 1LT George B. Jones, SP5 Joseph H. Johnson, 1LT John L. Shepardson, CW2 Jeffrey R. Reif, CPT Jack S. Reed Page 26. Bronze Star "V": SGT Marvin W. Barnard, PSG Charles N. Boyd with OLC, SP4 Michael L. Colichio, SP4 Michael K. Dansby, SP4 John A. Davis, SP4 Wayne D. Freeman, SGT Ray C. Gay, PSG Donald L. Gilliam, SSG Walter R. Hearn, 1LT James S. Lindsey, SSG Evans G. McGowan, SP4 Danny R. Newman, SSG John M. Pryor, 1LT Jack W. Ramsey, SP4 James E. Robinson, SP4 David W. White, SGT Kelly G. Bloom, SGT Thomas H. Buchanan, SSG Willis Cobb, SP4 Richard De Champlain, SSG Hoarce E. Gardner, SP5 David Hanes, PFC Jeffery A. Hermes, SP4 Gene R. Hotchkiss, SP4 Henry H. Keiffer, PFC Kenneth R. Kantz, SP4 Thomas McIlhaney, SP5 Frank L. Moses, SP4 Robert D. Roeder, SGT Peter Schmidt, SP4 James B. Sufflick, SSG Robert Thurston, PSG Curtis J. Tinker, SP4 Stephen F. Turner, PFC William Walker, 1SG Richard F. Williams, SP4 Roger D. Hooper, PFC Rodney B. Healey, SP4 Earl C. Minard, SP4 James M. Nowicki, SP4 Glenn M. Holgren, SP4 Roy B. Forsythe, SSG Elzie R. Wilhoite, SGT Robert G. Selby, PFC Charles L. Motin with OLC, SP4 Robert D. Iverson, SP4 Douglas J. Belmonte, 1LT Rhesa H. Barksdale, SSG Kenneth L. Bouche, PFC Richard R. Pautsch, SP4 Robert A. Graving, CPT John Barovetto with OLC, CPT Joseph C. Cornad, 1LT James A. Dickens, SP5 Edward D. Dickson, SSG Robert W. Eddy, SP5 Patrick Harrington, 1LT Raymond A. Haeme, SP5 Calvin D. Kilpatrick, PFC Percy L. James, LTC Richard H. Harrington, SSG Shirley R. Miller, SP4 Robert F. Hitz, MAJ Donald C. Lundquist, SGT Robert A. Rogers, SP4 Thomas L. Scott, SP4 Dale D. Satcher, 1LT James A. Taylor, 1LT Garland D. Whitmore, SSG David Wainscott, SGT Jack R. Lockridge, 1LT Robert D. Webster, SP4 William P. McKinney, SP4 Donald E. Wedkind, PFC Leonard J. Kucera, SSG Lowell C. Floyd, SP4 Paul D. Bradley, PSG Herman R. Jessie with OLC, SGT Edward L. Bolding, SSG James R. Wright, SP4 Thomas L. Motley, 1LT William L. Wheeler, SGS[sic] George J. Hills, and SSG Donald W. Durst Page 27. Bronze Star "V" (continued) SGT James W. Lupichuk, PFC Willian[?sic] F. Stewart, SP4 Dennis E. Ross, SP4 Wayne Thompson, SP5 Richard J. Hoover, MAJ Wade E. Medbery, SP5 Jay A. Froh, PFC Robert C. Van Ohlen, SGT Anderson E. Dunn, SP4 Wilson L. Carney, SP5 Michael A. Esmond, SP4 Charles L. Pugh, PFC George Gomez, SGT Wendel Adams, SP4 Arvin W. Schoep, SP4 Raymond Mangini, SP5 Larry L. Gaydon, SP4 Ronald McCarthy, SP4 Edwin M. McDonnel, SP5 Robert Holloway, 1LT David Wilkins, SP4 Jessie L. Camp, PSG Gil I. Martinez, 1LT James C. Sutton, SGT Gary R. Bakewell, SSG Emery L. Martin, SP4 Robert B. Keyes, SGT David G. Saxon, SP4 Peter J. Dovi, SP4 Jerry L. Anderson, SP4 Jude Bullard, SP5 Richard J. Hoover, SP4 Joseph C. Nestupa, PFC Richard Saldana, SGT Arlie Terry, SP4 Jerry D. Farnow, SSG John W. Mardis, SP4 Ronald E. Kline, SP4 Robert J. Zawisa, SP4 Curtis Morgan, SSG Robert C. Dufexis, 1LT Joe H. Chambless, SSG Jessie L. Jackson, SP5 Troy L. Clancy, SP5 Harry O. Russell, PFC Kimmey D. Hobbs, SGT Gary W. Cooper, SGT John J. Mowry, SP4 David J. Peterson, SP4 Eric J. Bechtel, SP4 Arnold Kilgore with OLC, SP4 Wade A. Brackett, 1LT George E. Norton III, SSG Manual V. Martinez, SP4 Donald W. Ehlers , SP4 Gregory D. Grey, 1LT Thomas L. Butler, SSG Antonio M. Garcia, SP4 John A. Boratko, SP4 Anthony J. Smith, SP5 Wayland Cook, LTC Walter C. Cousland, SSG Jeremiah Kennedy, SP4 Edward McDermott, SSG James M. Cunningham, SSG Michael B. Barnes, 1LT James D. King, SP4 Jon L. Graham, SSG Coy Sanders, SP4 Dennis L. Wood, PSG Walter D. Coleman, CPT George R. Kaczor, CPT Walter R. Reed, 1LT Donald J. Mattaro with OLC, SSG James R. Nicholas, 1LT John A. Amens, and CPT Daniel J. Buckley, Page 28. Air Medal "V": MAJ Crosbie E. Saint with OLC, MAJ Donald C. Lundquist with OLC, LTC Walter C. Cousland, LTC Richard H. Harrington, 1LT George R. Wallace III, SGT William D. Ogden, WO1 Robert B. Pewitt, and SP4 Johnny Rone Army Commendation Medal "V": PFC Rodney B. Healey, PFC Marvin Kennedy, SP4 Marvin Spiva, SGT Roger D. Cassidy, CPT Michael B. Prothero, SP4 Tommy J. Bigler, PFC Brian A. Elliot, SP4 William Stewart, SSG John G. Brooks, SP4 Milford F. Bonnet, SP4 Richard W. Bacon, SP4 Larry Cotton, CPT David E. Roesler, SP4 Richard J. Deckard, PFC Willie L. Carr, SP4 Donald O. Brazie, SP5 Millard F. Donnel, SP5 Victor E. Cook, SP5 John Huggins, SP4 Edward Ventura, WO1 James Miller, WO1 Richard Parr, SP5 Ronald L. Oglesby, CPT Billy F. Hatch, SSG James R. Wright, SP4 Pat G. Armstrong, SP4 John W. Klosterman, SSG Robert Thurston, SP5 Scott R. Prinz, SP4 Denver Hyatt, SGT Anderson E. Dunn, WO1 Herald Glaze, WO1 Alan Sabaka, SP4 Byron Cagle, SP5 Donald J. McConeghy, SP4 Johnny Rone, SGT Alan J. Wodak, SP4 Carter L. Davis, SP4 Michael Fiske, PFC George Gomez, SP4 Blair F. Noel, CPT George H. Handley, WO1 John L. Shepardson, WO1 Glen Opheim, SP4 Robert L. Duffy, SP4 Gerald D. Brobst, CPT Ronald L. Grooms, MAJ Harold J. Earwood, CO1 Ronald Sprinkle, WO1 Ronald Kleson, 1LT Edward Stephens, SP4 Robert G. Stultz, LTC Walter C. Cousland, SP4 Larry D. Crites, 1LT Donald W. Venn, and SGT Heinz J. Hammelberg. Page 29. First Squadron, First Cavalry, Commanders in Vietnam Squadron Commanders: LTC Richard H. Harrington 16 Aug 1967 to 1 Jan 1968, LTC Walter C. Cousland 1 Jan 1968 to 1 Jul 1968, LTC Richard D. Lawrence 1 Jul 1968 to present HQ Troop Commanders: CPT Thomas F. Sullivan 16 Aug 1967 to 16 Dec 1967, CPT Michael B. Prothero 16 Dec 1967 to 3 Mar 1968, CPT Charles W. Donaldson 3 Mar 1968 to present A Troop Commanders: CPT Joseph C. Conrad 16 Aug 1967 to 16 Dec 1967, CPT David A. Roesler 16 Dec 1967 to 26 May 1968, CPT George R. Kaczor 26 May 1968 to present B Troop Commanders: CPT David H. Staley 16 Aug 1967 to 8 Nov 1967, CPT John O. Barovetto 8 Nov 1967 to 7 Jan 1968, CPT Walter R. Reed 7 Jan 1968 to 25 June 1968, CPT Wayne J. Lewis 25 Jun 1968 to present C Troop Commanders: CPT Ralph P. Brown 16 Aug 1967 to 3 Mar 1968, CPT Michael B. Prothero 3 Mar 1968 to present Page 30. First Squadron, First Cavalry [Unit Crest] Black, embossed gold, yellow, and white crest of the 1st squadron, 1st cavalry Motto: Courage and Faith Perhaps the most personal vestige of our proud heritage is our unit crest. It depicts the Black Hawk, symbolizing the Black Hawk Wars against the Indians in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana. The Hawk is encircled by the Dragoon saber belt and buckle which as a "D" thereon, symbolizing the Dragoons. the gold, eight pointed star which forms the background of the crest was the Dragoon's insignia until 1851. The black and gold are old Dragoon colors, while the yellow is the Cavalry color. The inscription, "Animo et Fide", is Latin for "Courage and Faith." Page 31. The Legend of Fiddler's Green - About halfway down the road to Hell there is a broad meadow dotted with trees and crossed by many streams. On this meadow known as Fiddler's Green is located an old Army Canteen, and near it are camped all dead Cavalrymen, with their tents, horses, picket lines and campfires around which the souls of dead troopers gather to tell stories and reminisce. No other branches of the service may stop at Fiddler's Green but must continue the march straight through to Hell. It is true that occasionally some trooper who has a longing as most troopers have, for a change of station, packs his saddle bags, mounts his horse and continues his journey. But none of them has ever reached the gates of Hell, for having emptied his canteen of liquor, he needs to return to Fiddler's Green for a refill. That is why there are no Cavalrymen in Hell. Halfway down the trail to Hell, In a shady meadow green, Are the souls of all dead troopers camped Near a good old-time canteen, And this eternal resting place Is known as Fiddler's Green. Marching past, straight through to Hell, The Infantry are seen, Accompanied by the Engineers, Artillery and Marine, For none but the shades of Cavalrymen Dismount at Fiddler's Green. Though some go curving down the trail To seek a warmer scene, No trooper ever gets to Hell, Ere he's emptied his canteen, And so rides back to drink again With friends at Fiddler's Green And so when man and horse go down beneath a saber keen, Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee You stop a bullet clean, And the hostiles come to get your Scalp, Just empty your canteen, And put your pistol to your head And go to Fiddler's Green. Page 32. Ode to the M48A3: The broad backed Hippopotamus Rests on its belly in the mud, And having wrenched a time or two Lays helpless as flesh and blood. The keepers dismount the 'potamus, Stand off and look in fear, And having looked a time or two Remove their shirts and gear. Flesh and blood is weak and frail And the 'potamus is mired fast, But with dirty hands and broken nails The keepers sweat at their task. The mud is thick and heavy and bleak And the 'potamus humbles a man, The cables whine and strain and creak As the keepers offer a hand. The Hippo stirs. The keepers smile, The cables strain at the awesome feat, A trail in the mud is cut like an aisle And the 'potamus comes to his feet. They put on their shirts and curse the sun But now there is nothing to fear. They mount the 'potamus one by one And the Hippo is put into gear. Off it lumbers across the paddies Coated with slime to the top, And having stumbled a time or two Slowly it grinds to a stop. The broad backed Hippopotamus Rests on its belly in the mud, And having wrenched a time or two Lays helpless as flesh and blood. Lt James S. Lindsey Page 33. (Map from Hoi An River to Chu Lai, and from coast to a little west of LZ Ross) FIRST SQUADRON, FIRST CALVARY, MAJOR BATTLES --- QUANG TIN PROVINCE, VIETNAM 1. DINK VALLEY-SEPTEMBER, 1967 2. CIGAR ISLAND-OCTOBER, 1967 3. AREA COW-OCTOBER, 1967 4. QUE SON VALLEY -NOVEMBER, 1967 - JANUARY, 1968 5. PINEAPPLE FOREST-DECEMBER, 1967 6. TAM KEY - JANUARY, 1968 7. PINK VILLE- FEBRUARY, 1968 8. PINEAPPLE FOREST - FEBRUARY, 1968 9. WESTERN VALLEY - MARCH, 1968 10. CIGAR ISLAND-MARCH, 1968 11. BURLINGTON TRAIL - APRIL - MAY, 1968 12. WESTERN VALLEY-MAY, 1968 1. Battle occurred west of Fat City. 2. Battle occurred between Binh Tinh and Thang Binh 3. Battle occurred on the coast northwest of LZ Baldy 4. Battle occurred west of LZ Ross 5. Battle occurred west of Tam Ky 6. Battle occurred west of Tam Ky (closer than 5) 7. Battle occurred west of Tam Ky (a little north of 5) 8. Battle occurred west of Tam Ky (more south and west of 5) 9. Battle occurred west of Hawk Hill 10. Battle occurred inland and north of 3. 11. Battle occurred east of Tien Phuoc 12. Battle a little south and east of 9.

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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023