Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) begins to arrive in South Vietnam at Qui Nhon, bringing U.S. troop strength in South Vietnam to more than 125,000. The unit, which had a long and storied history, was the first full U.S. Army division deployed to Vietnam. The division consisted of nine battalions of airmobile infantry, an air reconnaissance squadron, and six battalions of artillery. The division also included the 11th Aviation Group, made up of three aviation battalions consisting of 11 companies of assault helicopters, assault support helicopters, and gunships. The division used a new concept by which the ground maneuver elements were moved around the battlefield by helicopters. Initially deployed to the II Corps area at Qui Nhon, the division took part in the first major engagement between U.S. and North Vietnamese forces during the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley fought in November, just two months after the division began arriving in Vietnam. Later, the division moved further north to I Corps in 1968 to relieve the embattled U.S. Marines at Hue during the Tet Offensive; in October of the same year, they redeployed to III Corps to conduct operations to protect Saigon; and in 1970, the division took part in the invasion of Cambodia and conducted operations in both III and IV Corps (the Mekong Delta). Thus, the 1st Cavalry Division, popularly known as the “First Team,” was the only American division to fight in all four corps tactical zones. The bulk of the division began departing Vietnam in late April 1970, but the 3rd Brigade remained until June 1972. The 1st Cavalry Division was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and “First Team” soldiers were awarded 25 Medals of Honor, 120 Distinguished Service Crosses, 2,766 Silver Stars, 2,697 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 8,408 Bronze Stars for Valor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 Quote 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) begins to arrive in South Vietnam at Qui Nhon, bringing U.S. troop strength in South Vietnam to more than 125,000 What year was it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted September 11, 2022 Author Share Posted September 11, 2022 1965 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 Grab your STETSON campaign hat. Air Cav - HooYah! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted September 11, 2022 Author Share Posted September 11, 2022 I'll always remember lovely Cambodia; its maps were all green with one contour line on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Jones, SASS 2263 Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 The film, " We Were Soldiers Once and Young" with Mel Gibson as Hal Moore and Sam Elliot as Sgt Maj. Plumley is a depiction of the Ia Drang battle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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