United States Cavalry

GRAPHIC BY MoonSong

NAME: Bald Eagle or American Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

: The Bald Eagle was officially declared the National Emblem of the United States by the Second Continental Congress in 1782. It was selected by the U.S.A.'s founding fathers because it is a species unique to North America. Ben Franklin wanted the wild turkey to be the national bird, because he thought the eagle was of bad moral character. The Bald Eagle has since become the living symbol of the U.S.A.'s freedoms, spirit and pursuit of excellence. Its image and symbolism have played a significant role in American art, folklore, music and architecture.

CLICK HERE

Liberty

If you are a draft dodger, Flag burner, or an antiwar activist, you are not welcome here, this web site is way beyond your realm of comprehension.

Di Di Mau!!!!!!

Get lost!

11th ACR - History

The 11th U.S. Cavalry was activated on 2 February 1901 at Fort Myer, Virginia. The regiment's first deployment came in December 1901, when it deployed to help put down the Philippine insurrection. The Philippine campaign is symbolized on the regiment's crest with a bolo knife that the soldiers of the 11th regiment were issued to cut through the thick foliage of the Philippine islands.

In March 1916, the 11th Cavalry was mobilized to help General John J. Pershing's expedition against Francisco "Pancho" Villa, who had raided the boarder town of Columbus, New Mexico. During this expedition, the regiment's second squadron led the last mounted cavalry charge in U.S. history. The charge occurred on May 5th, 1916, near the town of Ojo Azules, where the squadron was surprised by some of Villa's men, and resulted in the elimination of the

Following WWI, the 11th Cavalry was ordered to start experimenting with scout cars, in preparation for the cavalry's transition to a mechanized unit. On 15 July 1942, the 11th US Cavalry was inactivated at Fort Benning, Georgia. The Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT) was redesignated on 19 April 1943 as the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 11th Cavalry Group Mechanized. The former squadrons of the 11th Cavalry were sent to fight with the 10th Armored Division and the 90th Infantry Division overseas. The redesignated HHT, 11th Cavalry Group Mechanized drew new squadrons, the 36th and 4th.

On September 29, 1944, the 11th Cavalry was sent to England in preparation for the invasion of Europe. The regiment entered France on 23 November 1944. In France and Germany, the regiment was assigned to protect the flank of the Ninth U.S. Army and attached to the XIII Corps. On May 1946, the 11th Cavalry Group Mechanized was redesignated as the 11th Constabulary Regiment. The regiment remained in Germany on occupation duty until November 1948, when it was redesignated as the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR) and inactivated.

On 1 April 1951, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment was reactivated as at Camp Carson, Colorado. In 1954, the Regiment transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky, to train in armored tactics. In mid-March 1957, the entire Regiment rotated to southern Germany, where it stayed until 1964.

In early 1966, the Regiment began redesigning its equipment for a new type of warfare based on recommendations from American advisors based in Vietnam. Additional armor and two more 30-cal. machine guns were added to the Regiment’s M113s, transforming them into what became known as Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles or ACAVs. The new design of armored gun shields provided a measure of protection for the crew and track commander. The result was a rapid all terrain fighting vehicle which could deliver devastating firepower. The Blackhorse troops arrived in South Vietnam on September 7, 1966, (the Air Troop arrived in December), and quickly engaged the enemy with M-48 tanks, ACAV’s, artillery and helicopters. The Regiment established the justification to receive its own patch on 1 May 1967 from the Department of Heraldry and was the first of five Armored Cavalry Regiments to receive a distinctive shoulder sleeve insignia.

The main operational areas for the Blackhorse squadrons were the provinces around Saigon and up to the Cambodian border. The unit clearly demonstrated it's rapid mobility when Saigon came under siege during the 1968 Tet Offensive. The unit raced over 100 kilometers in eight hours to the defense of the city and fought street by street to overcome the attacking Viet Cong. History now points out that the Viet Cong were virtually annihilated during these battles. From that time forward North Vietnamese Army units, well supplied and equipped by the communist superpowers, would fight a war of attrition against the United States. Rarely however, would they risk a head-to-head confrontation with their most feared adversary, the 11^th ACR.

In July of 1968, the 39^th Colonel of the Regiment, George S. Patton Jr., assumed command and soon applied his expertise in armored combat tactics. The Regiment moved the armor off the roads and into the jungles in search of the enemy, a concept previously thought not feasible. This action was so successful that the enemy could no longer move freely and was forced to seek sanctuary inside neutral Cambodia. Colonel Patton coined the phrase, “FIND THE BASTARDS, THEN PILE ON”, which remains today as the Regiment’s battle cry.

From well-established bases inside Cambodia, the communists would strike out into South Vietnam and then return across the border to resupply and regroup. On 1 May 1970, the 11th ACR spearheaded a historic attack across the Cambodian border into an area called the Fish Hook to deny the enemy of these safe havens. Commanded by the 41^st Colonel of the Regiment, Don A. Starry, the Blackhorse penetrated for more than 60 kilometers to capture the town of Snoul.

The Cambodian Incursion was the last unrestrained offensive use of U.S. ground forces in the war. The capture and destruction of tons of enemy weapons and supplies left the enemy devastated and demoralized. The result was a smoother transition of responsibility to the South Vietnamese military as the American combat forces continued to withdraw. Countless American and allied lives were saved by the operation that left the North Vietnamese Army crippled and unable to mount an effective offensive for some time.

In February of 1971, First and Third Squadron redeployed to the U.S. and were inactivated. On 6 April 1972, after almost six years of continuous combat the Blackhorse Regiment’s Air Troop and Second Squadron departed Vietnam having never lost a battle. One year later, on 29 March 1973, the last American combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam. Within two years, on 30 April 1975, Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese.

In all, 768 Blackhorse troopers made the ultimate sacrifice by helping to protect and defend the people of South Vietnam from their north communist aggressors. The Regiment’s wounded totaled 5,761. Three 11^th ACR troopers were awarded the Medal of Honor, two of which were posthumous. In its best performance, the gallant troopers of the Blackhorse Regiment earned fourteen battle streamers for bravery and forever secured a place in American military history and legend.

In February 1971, the Regiment redeployed to the US and inactivated. The Regiment was reactivated on May 17, 1972 when the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment, was redesignated the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. In the 1980's, the Regiment underwent several force modernization's, obtaining M1A1 Abrams tanks, M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and UH-60A Blackhawk helicopters. The Regiment also received Heavy Equipment Movement Transport Trucks (HEMTT), High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), M109A2 Howitzers, and Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles (FAASV).

During Operation Desert Shield, the Regiment's First Platoon, E Troop, 2nd Squadron deployed with the 3rd ACR, while the remainder of the Regiment trained Reserve Component Scouts for war at Camp Colt, Germany. On April 10, 1991, the Regiment deployed an Aviation Task Force to support Kurdish relief operations in Turkey and Iraq. The regiment returned to Germany in October 1991, where it remained until it was deactivated on March 15, 1994. The 11th Cavalry was reactivated again on October 15th 1994 and assigned to Fort Irwin, California to act as the Army's opposing force at the National Training Center.

Coat Of Arms

11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

The "Coat Of Arms" for the 11th US Cavalry was adopted by the Secretary of War on December 12, 1934. This crest reflects the history of the 11th Cavalry which began in 1901 and first saw service in the Philippines. The crossed blue handled swords called "bolos" were prominent during the Philippines campaign. The red in the blades represents the blood of the fallen enemy.

The green cactus represents the Regiment's service in Mexico and in Gen. Pershing's Punitive Expedition of 1916. The Regiment's symbol, a black horse, is represented by a horse's head at the top of the crest. Black and gold are the Regimental colors and the Regiment's motto "Allons" is embroidered below the shield.

Arms: Or, within an orle sable in chief two bolos saltire wise gules hilted aszure and base a cactus proper.

Crest: Upon a wreath of the collors a horse's head erased sable.

Motto: Allons

MOTTO

Allons "Let's Go"

In 1920, the Regiment adopted its motto - Allons. When translated it means, "Let's Go". A contest was held to choose a motto. Entries came from the officers and men of the Regiment. Captain John N. Merrill, then Commanding Officer of H Troop submitted the winning entry. This motto not only survives today but is frequently used by the men of the 11th both past and present.

Shoulder Patch

11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
"Blackhorse"

This Department of the Army approved shoulder sleeve insignia was authorized during the Vietnam war to be worn on the left uniform shoulder sleeve by members of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. On the normal olive drab fatigue uniforms these were worn in full color but in Vietnam, they were worn as subdued colors.

Following Operation Desert Storm, once a soldier had left the regiment for another unit, the patch was authorized to be worn on the right uniform shoulder sleeve with the horse revered so that it faced forward. This was not the case in Vietnam. The insignia was authorized for wear on the right shoulder sleeve but the horse was not reversed.

The patch was designed by Lt. John Casterman, M Company in 1965 at Ft. Meade, MD and adopted the following year. Lt. Casterman possessed skills as an artist and graphic designer and after several designs that incorporated elements from the official crest, Lt. Casterman settled on the black stallion on a chevron of red and white - the colors of the cavalry guidons.

Shoulder Patch - Subdued
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
"Blackhorse"
Olive Drab (OD)

The subdued shoulder patch similar to the above was worn on jungle fatigue uniform sleeves on the left side as the patch above. Like the Blackhorse patch of the rearing stallion the patch was various shades of olive drab (dark green).


Shoulder Patch - Subdued
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
"Blackhorse"
Desert Drab (DD)

The subdued shoulder patch similar to the above was worn on fatigue uniform sleeves on the left side by members of the 11th ACR who saw action in "Desert Storm". Like the Blackhorse patch of the rearing stallion this patch was made of various shades of light brown and black.

THIS SITE IS GRAPHIC INTENSIVE. PLEASE BE PATIENT

C Troop Ambush



CLICK ABOVE FOR INFORMATION

FRIENDS THAT WERE KIA

C TROOP, 1st SQUADRON KIA's

BERRY, KURTIS AUREL 07/06/1969 07/06/1969

BOOBAR, LARRY DANIEL 09/06/1969 09/06/1969

BROWN, MANCE 04/03/1970 03/04/1970

CASTANEDA, HUGO CARLOS 07/09/1968 07/09/1968

COLLINS, RALPH RAYMOND JR 05/13/1968 05/13/1968

COOK, CHARLES JR 07/09/1968 07/09/1968

CWIOK, FRANK JOHN 03/19/1970 03/19/1970

EAST, MELVIN DOUGLAS 10/14/1967 10/14/1967

FACTORA, DOUGLAS GEORGE 05/13/1968 05/13/1968

HALLEY, RUSSELL LOUIS 11/21/1966 11/21/1966

HAYNES, BOBBY GENE 09/06/1969 09/06/1969

JAMES, BOBBY 05/13/1968 05/13/1968

JOHNSON, RAY ELLSWORTH 11/21/1966 11/21/1966

KEMP, MITCHELL LYNN 10/08/1967 10/08/1967

LABAHN, DARWIN LYN 06/03/1969 06/03/1969

LAFON, VAL LYNDON 01/11/1969 10/14/1968

LITTLE, WALLACE SYLVESTER 05/18/1968 05/18/1968

LOVLEY, THOMAS GRANT 03/02/1970 03/02/1970

MC ANDREW, ROBERT CHARLES 06/11/1970 06/11/1970

MCRAY, WAYNE DABNEY 02/14/1970 02/14/1970

MESSER, JACK WILLIAM 03/12/1970

MOAK, CLIFTON PEARCE 05/23/1968 05/23/1968

MOORHOUSE, WILLIAM CURTIS 03/12/1970 03/12/1970

MOSCHETTI, BILL ARTHUR 03/23/1969 03/22/1969

POWERS, HARRY LEE 11/21/1966 11/21/1966

REESE, CHESTER ROY JR 09/05/1970 08/23/1970

REITWIESNER, JOHN CHARLES 01/21/1970 01/21/1970

RHODES, JIMMY LINWOOD 11/21/1966 11/21/1966

RODGERS, JOHN CARL 08/18/1969 08/15/1969

ROTHER, ROBERT DAWSON JR 08/23/1970 08/23/1970

SANDERS, WAYNE JACKSON 09/06/1969 09/06/1969

STEVENSON, GREG DOUGLAS 07/24/1970 07/24/1970

SWANEY, LARRY DEAN 06/10/1968 06/10/1968

THORSON, ERNEST LEROY 04/26/1970 04/26/1970

TOLBERT, DALE WILLIAM 05/19/1967 05/19/1967

TUTEN, RICHARD BAILEY 04/14/1969 04/14/1969

WALTERS, FREDERICK F 05/13/1968 05/13/1968

WEEDER, RICHARD D 10/17/1967 10/17/1967

CLICK HERE FOR LARGER VIEW

ONCE CAV, ALWAYS CAV

A Tribute to Vietnam Vets
From the Children of Vietnam Veterans

Flash Player needed
It takes a few minutes to load but well worth it
Caution: If you were a Combat Vet, or a Nurse
in Vietnam this will bring back memories

To All The Wives Of Vietnam Vets, Although We May Not Tell You. We Thank You For Standing By Us!! This Is For You

Leave A Message

Create your own visitor map

VIETNAM WAR

NEW: "Vietnam War Dead"

A data base of the 58181 in a program; searchable by Name, DoD or Home Town.

My thanks to author: "Lightning" MACVSOG Vietnam.

This software is absolutely free, and not for sale or profit,

or you will suffer eternal damnation at the mercy of fallen comrades.

THE WALL

BELOW ARE THE UNITS I SERVED WITH IN THE ARMY

C TROOP 11TH CAVALRY REPUBLIC OF SOUTH VIETNAM

B TROOP 3RD SQUADRON 7TH CAVALRY, 3rd INFANTRY DIVISION, SCHWEINFURT, GERMANY

194th ARMORED BRIGADE, D TROOP 10TH CAV, FT. KNOX, KENTUCKY

3RD ARMORED DIVISION, CSC, 1/33 ARMOR, GELNHAUSEN, GERMANY

A TROOP 1ST SQUADRON 3RD CAV, FT. BLISS, TEXAS

G TROOP 6TH CAVALRY, FT KNOX, Ky.

Agent Orange in Thailand ?

VIETNAM VETERANS AND AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE

The Proposed Cash-In

on Agent Orange Benefits

AGENT ORANGE THE LAST BATTLE

VA'S AGENT ORANGE

Click Here for the Quilt of Tears Web Site

The Quilt Of Tears is a 501C3 Non-Profit Organization

Please click above to donate today

America's Wars: U.S. Casualties and Veterans

HERO'S !!!

FAVORITE LINKS

Gunny Ermey's USMC Web Ring

Prev 5 • List • Join • Rand • Next 5

There are currently 158sites in this ring.

WEB CONTESTS
CLICK ON GRAPHICS TO VOTE FOR THIS SITE

ALL GRAPHICS ON THIS SITE WERE DESIGNED BY BRUCE AT bulldogbm7@yahoo.com
OR GARY AT Viperash50@aol.com

Danny Weasenforth (Wildgun) at WEBMASTER

THE AUTHOR OF THIS SITE IS A MEMBER OF

WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!

Content on this web site is Copyright 2001 - 2002 - 2003 -2004-2005-2006, 2007 by Wildgun (Danny Weasenforth) All Rights Reserved. If there is any material published on my pages that any person/s consider in breach of their copyright and should not be published on any of my pages, please contact me at the address below and the material will be removed at once.

YOU AIN'T GOING TO LIKE LOSING