Southern Cross information
for 23 INF DIV
11 BDE 23 INF
196 BDE 23 INF
198 BDE 23 INF

For date 711126


23 INF DIV was a US Army unit
11 BDE 23 INF was a US Army unit
196 BDE 23 INF was a US Army unit
198 BDE 23 INF was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Tin Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Chu Lai
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "A m e r i c a l h e a d q u a r t e r s E T S's" by MSG Bill Pickett. This is the last issue of the "Southern Cross" newspaper, however, a Charger newspaper will be published by the 10th Public Information Detachment of the 196th Infantry Brigade beginning Dec. 1971. CHU LAI (Special) - "Four year ago the Americal Division was born in battle - in one of the most violently contested areas of Vietnam. Today we look back with satisfaction at the complete accomplishment of our mission." With these words MG Frederick J. Kroesen, 23d Infantry Division (Americal) commander, set the stage for the standdown of the division headquarters, the last in the division to case its colors. The division awards ceremony Nov. 11 at Chu Lai climaxed four years of battle for the Americal Division, at one time the largest division in the Army, with the largest Tactical Area of Interest in Vietnam. More than 1000,000 men served with the division in the southern portion of Military Region I during that time, helping to drive the enemy out of the populated coastal plain and mountain settlements and training Regional Popular Forces. "Those who have served honorably with this division have earned a self-satisfaction and pride that comes from serving with the best, and attaining the most difficult goals," the general noted. He did not sidestep the fact that members of the division share collectively an unfortunate reputation,"... caused by the few in our numbers who make mistakes, some tragic, some careless, some notorious." "But," he added, "we do share also the credit for an unexcelled record and uncounted thousands of acts of valor, acts of compassion and a significant contribution to the attainment of the objectives of the United States in this war." Participating in the ceremony were infantrymen from the three brigades of the division: the 11th, 196th and 198th; artillerymen representing the Americal Division Artillery; aviation personnel of the 16th Combat Aviation Group; and men of many skills from the Division Support Command. Also represented was the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry; 26th Engineer Battalion and the 523d Signal Battalion. GEN Creighton W. Abrams, CG, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, was the reviewing officer. Sharing the reviewing stand with GEN Abrams and MG Kroesen were LTG Hoang Xuan Lam, CG I Corps and Military Region I; LTG William J. McCaffery, deputy CG, U.S. Army, Vietnam; LTG Welborn G. Dolvin, CG, XXIV Corps; and MG Nguyen Van Toan, CG 2d ARVN Infantry Division. BG Bertram K. Gorwitz, assistant division commander, was Commander of Troops. During the ceremony Americal soldiers were presented U.S. and Vietnamese decorations. They were representative of the many members of the division who have been cited for gallantry during their tours with the Americal. Since the unit was activated in 1967, nine Americal soldiers have earned the Medal of Honor, and the Division was decorated with its second Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Capping the colorful ceremony witnessed by several hundred spectators, MG Kroesen, assisted by MG Toan, unveiled a monument dedicated to soldiers of the Americal Division "...who joined forces with soldiers of the 2d ARVN Infantry Division to battle a common enemy during the years 1967 to 1971." A part of the inscription on the bronze plaque mounted on the cement monument read: "This monument stands as a memorial to the sacrifices made by members of the Americal Division during this struggle, and it endures as a symbol of hope for the ultimate achievement of self-determination for all the people of Vietnam." With the dedication of the memorial the standdown ceremony for the Americal Division was ended. Photo Caption- STANDDOWN PRESS CONFERENCE--Some 25 newsmen interview MG Frederick J. Kroesen, CG 23d Infantry Division (Americal), following standown ceremonies for Headquarters of the Americal Nov. 11. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO) Photo Caption- FOUR-STAR GREETING - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Thomas H. Moorer shakes hands with the men of the 196th Infantry Brigade on LZ Linda Nov. 5. Admiral Moorer toured a number of American bases in Vietnam during his most recent visit to Southeast Asia. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO)

The source for this information was 7111_445_scr supplied by Les Hines 01/05/2000


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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023