***********************

Statement of Service 3rd Squadron, 17 Cavalry

[As of 25 Jul 84 - Source: The Chief of Military History

and the Center of Military History, DoD, Col. Robert N. Waggoner]

Constituted 1 July 1916 in the Regular Army as Troop C, 17 Cavalry

Organized 9 July 1916 at Fort Bliss, Texas

Inactivated 26 September 1921 at the Presidio of Monterey, California

Disbanded 9 March 1951

Reconstituted 1 March 1957 in the Regular Army as Troop C (Reconnaissance) (Airborne), 17th Cavalry; concurrently, consolidated with the 11th Airborne Reconnaissance Troop (see ANNEX), assigned to the 11th Airborne Division, and activated in Europe

Relieved 1 July 1958 from assignment to the 11th Airborne Division

Inactivated 15 November 1958 in Europe

Activated 15 March 1962 as Troop C (Air), 17th Cavalry, at Fort Knox, Kentucky

Inactivated 16 January 1963 at Fort Knox, Kentucky

Redesignated 1 February 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, and assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division (organic elements concurrently constituted in the Regular Army)

(Troop B [Air], 3d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, activated 7 February 1963 at Fort Rucker, Alabama)

3d Squadron (less Troop B), 17th Cavalry, activated 19 March 1964 at Fort Benning, Georgia

Relieved 30 June 1965 from assignment to the 11th Air Assault Division

Inactivated 1 July 1965 at Fort Benning, Georgia

Activated 25 November 1966 at Fort Knox, Kentucky

Inactivated 19 June 1973 at FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON

ANNEX

Constituted 16 November 1921 in the Regular Army as the 11th Tank Company

 

Activated 19 November 1921 at Camp George G. Meade, Maryland

Assigned 15 July 1922 to the Hawaiian Division

Relieved 1 October 1941 from assignment to the Hawaiian Division

Disbanded 23 April 1942 in Hawaii

Reconstituted 10 September 1947 in Europe

Inactivated 1 November 1948 in Germany

Redesignated 28 February 1949 as the 11th Reconnaissance Company

Activated 30 April 1949 at Camp Campbell, Kentucky

Redesignated 15 July 1950 as the 11th Airborne Reconnaissance Company and assigned to the 11th Airborne Division

CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT

World War II

* Central Pacific

Northern France

Rhineland

Ardennes-Alsace

Central Europe

Vietnam

* counteroffensive, Phase III

* Tet Counteroffensive

* counteroffensive, Phase IV

* Counteroffensive, Phase V

* Counteroffensive, Phase VI

* Tet 69/Counteroffensive

* Summer-fall 1969

* Winter-spring 1970

* Sanctuary Counteroffensive

* Counteroffensive, Phase VII

* Consolidation I

* Consolidation II

* Cease-fire

 

DECORATIONS

* Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered CAMBODIA

* Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969-1970

Headquarters and Headquarters Troop additionally entitled to:

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969-1970

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970-1972

Troops A and B additionally entitled to:

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970-1971

Troop A additionally entitled to:

Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered SAIGON-LONG BINH

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970

Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, and Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968

Troop B additionally entitled to:

Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered TAY NINH PROVINCE

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM MAR-MAY 1971

Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969

Troop D additionally entitled to:

Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered FISH HOOK

Additional information from "Vietnam Order of Battle" by Shelby L. Stanton, U.S. News Books, Washington, D.C.

3d Squadron, 17th Cavalry

 

(Air Cavalry)

Arrived Vietnam:

Departed Vietnam:

Previous Station:

30 October 1967 30 April 1972 Fort Knox

Authorized strength

1968

1971

Squadron

850

1,037

"The 3d Squadron, 17th cavalry was part of the 12th Aviation Group during its service in Vietnam, primarily stationed at Di An.

It was responsible for air cavalry support in the western part of III Corps Tactical Zone. On 20 July 1970 it was placed under the control of II Field Force, Vietnam. In January 1971 Troop C was transferred to the 7th Squadron, .1st Cavalry. Troops A, Band D departed Vietnam together in April 1972 and Troop C rejoined them for redeployment.

In late 1970 the squadron was placed under the operation control of the 1st Cavalry Division and, when combined with the division's 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, enabled the 1st Cavalry Division to form an

ad hoc air cavalry brigade - a highly successful organizational innovation."

Troop

Type

Squadron Service/Remarks

Tp A

Air Cav

Oct 67 - April 72 Departed Vietnam

Tp B

Air Cav

Oct 67 - April 72 Departed Vietnam

Tp C

Air Cav

Oct 67 - Dec. 70 Transferred to 7th Squadron, 1st Cavalry

Tp D

Ground

Oct 67 - April 72 Departed Vietnam

 

Courtesy of Roger Young, A-Troop, 3/17th Air Cav (Dec'69 - Nov '70), Webmaster of "The Northwest Veterans Newsletter"

E-mail: bear3l7@ao1.com