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17th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 17th Cavalry is a historical organization within the United States Army
that began as a regiment
of cavalry
after the Pancho Villa Expedition
. The unit was constituted on 1 July 1916 in the Regular Army as the 17th Cavalry at Fort Bliss, Texas and originally inactivated 26 September 1921 at the Presidio of Monterey, California
. Formerly a part of the 1950s Combat Arms Regimental System, it was reorganized as a part of the United States Army Regimental System, an ongoing effort to maintain the lineage and history of the Army through its units. Today, the 17th Cavalry Regiment is found across the Army within the Combat Aviation Brigade
s, where the Squadrons, now constituted as attack/recon helicopter squadrons, carry on the legacy of the 17th Cavalry Regiment.
In honor of the cavalry regiments that contributed officers, men and experience to the formation of the 17th Cavalry Regiment, the regimental shield shares much from the coats of arm of those units. Orange is from the lst Cavalry and was the official color that has historically represented dragoons. The color green was taken from the 3d Cavalry. Their uniforms contained green facings in honor of the 3d Cavalry's first engagement at Vera Cruz, and its contribution throughout the campaign of 1847 to the capture of Mexico City. The Regiment chose the unicorn from the 6th Cavalry Regiment, which represents the knightly virtues and, in the rampant position, a symbol of fighting aggressiveness, combined with speed and alacrity. The demihorse, in honor of cavalry mounts, was taken from the shield of the 8th Cavalry Regiment. The diagonal line, being the traditional military symbol of cavalry, came from the 14th Cavalry.
The first mounted formation of the regiment was held on 4 August 1916 and consisted of all fifteen troops and the wagons of the supply Troop.
, on the mid-afternoon of 18 May. The Regiment established itself at "Camp Harry J. Jones", Douglas, Arizona, with outposts near Naco, Arizona
(30 miles west along the border), west of town near the C & A Copper Smelter, Forrest, Arizona, and Slaughter's Ranch
(13 miles east).
Trouble began in the copper mining districts of Arizona as the Union (IWW
) became unmanageable. On 5 July 1917 a provisional squadron, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel White, marched north to Globe, Arizona
, for strike duty. Later that month, forest fires in Mormon Canyon
(Turkey Creek) grew beyond the control of the forest rangers, prompting another call for assistance by the civil leaders; a detail of fifty men under 2nd Lieutenant Arthur S. Harrington was deployed to assist them. The Regiment would remain in the Southwest until the end of the war. After the armistice was signed, the Regiment was under orders to move to Hawaii.
and Schofield Barracks until the fall of 1920. Still, the problem remained of covering approximately one hundred miles of rugged coast line with one regiment of cavalry to effectively repel any attempted landing of troops from transports and hold them off until the arrival of reinforcements. With the exception of the sector in and around the city of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor, the entire coast line of the island was left to the 17th Cavalry Regiment. The Regiment developed an intricate system of shielded lights and telephone lines for command and control as well as reporting, with camps placed in locations that provided excellent cover and concealment from the air or sea.
Reorganization in 1921 resulted in a reduction of the number of cavalry regiments from seventeen to fourteen, this included inactivation of the 17th Cavalry. Lack of funds, reduced personnel authorization, and serious doubts that "the mounted combat of large bodies of cavalry is probably a thing of the past" contributed to the decision as well as a new regimental organization that was designed to reduce overhead, increase firepower, and retain mobility. Many old, famous cavalry units came dangerously close to being lost to the Army because of organizational changes, but a new policy of retaining surplus units on the rolls of the Army in an inactive status was established, preserving unit designations and histories for future use rather than disbanding or redesignating them.
The regiment left Schofield Barracks by truck for Honolulu on September 16 and embarked on the U.S.A.T. Buford for Monterey, California
. The officers and enlisted men were transferred to the 11th Cavalry on September 26, and the 17th Cavalry was placed on the inactive list.
tanks along with Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles (ACAVs).
Troop E, 17th Cavalry was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) in March 1963 and followed the 173rd to Vietnam winning a Presidential Unit Citation, a Meritorious Unit Commendation with the brigade as well as a separate Valorous Unit Award for Troop E's actions at Ben Cat.
Troop F, 17th Cavalry served as the brigade recon element for the 196th LIB 1968 - 1969 at First with Jeeps mounted with 106mm Guns Then APC's and in November 1969 Sheridan Recon Tanks along with APC's and Scout Vehicles (M114) and APC's with 106mm Guns Mounted one per platoon, turned into Acav's (Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles).
Troop H, 17th Cavalry served as the brigade recon element for the 198th Infantry Brigade. H Troop, 17th Cavalry was drawn from units of the 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions, Fort Hood, Texas. On October 22, 1967, Military Sea Transports brought the 198th and Troop H to Da Nang. Upon arrival, the troops and equipment boarded troop ships and headed for Chu Lai. The Troop operated in the Brigade's area of operations. The troop performed its mission with the goal of finding the enemy and defeating him wherever he was found. H-Troop 17th Cav was also known as the "Hell Cats."
In 1973, after the Vietnam War, the First squadron was assigned to the 82nd Airborne at Ft Bragg, NC and called the 17th Airborne Air Cavalry and became a part of the division's rapid deployment package. It consisted of 'Alfa' troop, a jeep mounted recon company and three air cavalry troops, 'Bravo', 'Charlie' and 'Delta'. Each troop was made up of a scout platoon w/ 10 ea. OH-58A helicopters fitted with mini-guns, a gun platoon w/ 9ea. AH-1G 'Cobra' helicopters and an aero recon platoon, w/ 5 ea. UH-1H 'Huey' helicopters w/ recon specialists. The Second Squadron was similarly equipped and assigned to the 101st Air Mobile Division, Ft Campbell, KY.
2nd Squadron
3rd Squadron
4th Squadron
5th Squadron
6th Squadron
7th Squadron
Decorations
Coat of Arms
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
that began as a regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
after the Pancho Villa Expedition
Pancho Villa Expedition
The Pancho Villa Expedition—officially known in the United States as the Mexican Expedition and sometimes colloquially referred to as the Punitive Expedition—was a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the paramilitary forces of Mexican insurgent Francisco "Pancho" Villa...
. The unit was constituted on 1 July 1916 in the Regular Army as the 17th Cavalry at Fort Bliss, Texas and originally inactivated 26 September 1921 at the Presidio of Monterey, California
Presidio of Monterey, California
The Presidio of Monterey, located in Monterey, California, is an active US Army installation with historic ties to the Spanish colonial era. Currently it is the home of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center .-Spanish fort:...
. Formerly a part of the 1950s Combat Arms Regimental System, it was reorganized as a part of the United States Army Regimental System, an ongoing effort to maintain the lineage and history of the Army through its units. Today, the 17th Cavalry Regiment is found across the Army within the Combat Aviation Brigade
Combat Aviation Brigade
A Combat Aviation Brigade is a multi-functional brigade-sized unit in the United States Army that fields military helicopters, offering a combination of attack helicopters , reconnaissance helicopters , medium-lift helicopters , heavy-lift helicopters , and MEDEVAC capability.- History :Combat...
s, where the Squadrons, now constituted as attack/recon helicopter squadrons, carry on the legacy of the 17th Cavalry Regiment.
Formation
The 17th Cavalry Regiment was organized under the provisions of the National Defense Act of 1916 at Ft Bliss, Texas on 30 June 1916 and constituted on 1 July 1916. General Pershing had taken his columns into Mexico only a short time before and the need of cavalry troops was pressing. Thirty-two officers and seven hundred ninety-one veterans from the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 8th and 14th Regiments were transferred as the nucleus of the new regiment. Many of these were recalled from the Punitive Expedition and since all were experienced troopers, little time was spent in whipping the organization into shape. The Regimental Commander, Colonel Willard A. Holbrook, assumed command on 9 July 1916, on which date the men from the 8th Cavalry joined the regiment. Colonel Holbrook held command until he was promoted to the rank of Major General.In honor of the cavalry regiments that contributed officers, men and experience to the formation of the 17th Cavalry Regiment, the regimental shield shares much from the coats of arm of those units. Orange is from the lst Cavalry and was the official color that has historically represented dragoons. The color green was taken from the 3d Cavalry. Their uniforms contained green facings in honor of the 3d Cavalry's first engagement at Vera Cruz, and its contribution throughout the campaign of 1847 to the capture of Mexico City. The Regiment chose the unicorn from the 6th Cavalry Regiment, which represents the knightly virtues and, in the rampant position, a symbol of fighting aggressiveness, combined with speed and alacrity. The demihorse, in honor of cavalry mounts, was taken from the shield of the 8th Cavalry Regiment. The diagonal line, being the traditional military symbol of cavalry, came from the 14th Cavalry.
The first mounted formation of the regiment was held on 4 August 1916 and consisted of all fifteen troops and the wagons of the supply Troop.
Arizona
14 May 1917, the Regiment received orders for a change of station due to disturbances along the border of Arizona. By 17 May, the Regiment loaded up on trains and traveled from El Paso to arrive at Douglas, ArizonaDouglas, Arizona
Douglas is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. Douglas has a border crossing with Mexico and a history of mining.The population was 14,312 at the 2000 census...
, on the mid-afternoon of 18 May. The Regiment established itself at "Camp Harry J. Jones", Douglas, Arizona, with outposts near Naco, Arizona
Naco, Arizona
Naco is a census-designated place in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. Its population was 833 at the 2000 census. It is across the United States–Mexico border from Naco, Sonora. The Naco port of entry is open 24 hours per day....
(30 miles west along the border), west of town near the C & A Copper Smelter, Forrest, Arizona, and Slaughter's Ranch
San Bernardino Ranch
San Bernardino Ranch is a site in the southern San Bernardino Valley in the region of the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in extreme southeast Cochise County, Arizona that is significant for its association with the beginning of cattle ranching in southern Arizona and northern Mexico. The...
(13 miles east).
Trouble began in the copper mining districts of Arizona as the Union (IWW
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...
) became unmanageable. On 5 July 1917 a provisional squadron, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel White, marched north to Globe, Arizona
Globe, Arizona
Globe has an arid climate, characterized by hot summers and moderate to warm winters. Globe's arid climate is somewhat tempered by its elevation, however, leading to slightly cooler temperatures and slightly more precipitation than Phoenix or Yuma....
, for strike duty. Later that month, forest fires in Mormon Canyon
Chiricahua Mountains
The Chiricahua Mountains are a mountain range in southeastern Arizona which are part of the Basin and Range province of the southwest, and part of the Coronado National Forest...
(Turkey Creek) grew beyond the control of the forest rangers, prompting another call for assistance by the civil leaders; a detail of fifty men under 2nd Lieutenant Arthur S. Harrington was deployed to assist them. The Regiment would remain in the Southwest until the end of the war. After the armistice was signed, the Regiment was under orders to move to Hawaii.
Hawaii
On 5 April 1919, the 17th Cavalry set sail from San Francisco on the U.S.A.T. Sherman, bound for Honolulu and Schofield Barracks. The massive demobilization following the end of World War I, would leave the 17th Cavalry manning the garrison at Fort ShafterFort Shafter
Fort Shafter is in Honolulu CDP, City and County of Honolulu, Hawai‘i, extending up the interfluve between Kalihi and Moanalua valleys, as well as onto the coastal plain at Māpunapuna. Fort Shafter is the headquarters of the United States Army Pacific Command, the MACOM of U.S. Army forces in...
and Schofield Barracks until the fall of 1920. Still, the problem remained of covering approximately one hundred miles of rugged coast line with one regiment of cavalry to effectively repel any attempted landing of troops from transports and hold them off until the arrival of reinforcements. With the exception of the sector in and around the city of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor, the entire coast line of the island was left to the 17th Cavalry Regiment. The Regiment developed an intricate system of shielded lights and telephone lines for command and control as well as reporting, with camps placed in locations that provided excellent cover and concealment from the air or sea.
Reorganization in 1921 resulted in a reduction of the number of cavalry regiments from seventeen to fourteen, this included inactivation of the 17th Cavalry. Lack of funds, reduced personnel authorization, and serious doubts that "the mounted combat of large bodies of cavalry is probably a thing of the past" contributed to the decision as well as a new regimental organization that was designed to reduce overhead, increase firepower, and retain mobility. Many old, famous cavalry units came dangerously close to being lost to the Army because of organizational changes, but a new policy of retaining surplus units on the rolls of the Army in an inactive status was established, preserving unit designations and histories for future use rather than disbanding or redesignating them.
The regiment left Schofield Barracks by truck for Honolulu on September 16 and embarked on the U.S.A.T. Buford for Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
. The officers and enlisted men were transferred to the 11th Cavalry on September 26, and the 17th Cavalry was placed on the inactive list.
Vietnam
Troop D Armored was attached to the 199th LIB Vietnam as a Recon Element from 1966-70. At first, the Troop operated with Jeeps, but then transitioned to Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs). In November 1969, the Troop began utilizing M551 SheridanM551 Sheridan
The M551 Sheridan was a light tank developed by the United States and named after Civil War General Philip Sheridan. It was designed to be landed by parachute and to swim across rivers. It was armed with the technically advanced but troublesome M81/M81E1 152mm gun/launcher which fired conventional...
tanks along with Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles (ACAVs).
Troop E, 17th Cavalry was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) in March 1963 and followed the 173rd to Vietnam winning a Presidential Unit Citation, a Meritorious Unit Commendation with the brigade as well as a separate Valorous Unit Award for Troop E's actions at Ben Cat.
Troop F, 17th Cavalry served as the brigade recon element for the 196th LIB 1968 - 1969 at First with Jeeps mounted with 106mm Guns Then APC's and in November 1969 Sheridan Recon Tanks along with APC's and Scout Vehicles (M114) and APC's with 106mm Guns Mounted one per platoon, turned into Acav's (Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles).
Troop H, 17th Cavalry served as the brigade recon element for the 198th Infantry Brigade. H Troop, 17th Cavalry was drawn from units of the 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions, Fort Hood, Texas. On October 22, 1967, Military Sea Transports brought the 198th and Troop H to Da Nang. Upon arrival, the troops and equipment boarded troop ships and headed for Chu Lai. The Troop operated in the Brigade's area of operations. The troop performed its mission with the goal of finding the enemy and defeating him wherever he was found. H-Troop 17th Cav was also known as the "Hell Cats."
In 1973, after the Vietnam War, the First squadron was assigned to the 82nd Airborne at Ft Bragg, NC and called the 17th Airborne Air Cavalry and became a part of the division's rapid deployment package. It consisted of 'Alfa' troop, a jeep mounted recon company and three air cavalry troops, 'Bravo', 'Charlie' and 'Delta'. Each troop was made up of a scout platoon w/ 10 ea. OH-58A helicopters fitted with mini-guns, a gun platoon w/ 9ea. AH-1G 'Cobra' helicopters and an aero recon platoon, w/ 5 ea. UH-1H 'Huey' helicopters w/ recon specialists. The Second Squadron was similarly equipped and assigned to the 101st Air Mobile Division, Ft Campbell, KY.
Active units
- 1st Squadron is the Air Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of the Combat Aviation BrigadeCombat Aviation BrigadeA Combat Aviation Brigade is a multi-functional brigade-sized unit in the United States Army that fields military helicopters, offering a combination of attack helicopters , reconnaissance helicopters , medium-lift helicopters , heavy-lift helicopters , and MEDEVAC capability.- History :Combat...
, 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Fort Bragg, North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... - 2nd Squadron is the Air Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade101st Combat Aviation BrigadeThe 101st Combat Aviation Brigade is a Combat Aviation Brigade of the United States Army. It was first organized in July 1968 as an Aviation Group. It was redesignated an Aviation Brigade in 1986. It has served in almost every single military operation since the Vietnam War...
, 101st Airborne Division101st Airborne DivisionThe 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
stationed at Fort CampbellFort CampbellFort Campbell is a United States Army installation located astraddle the Kentucky-Tennessee border between Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Clarksville, Tennessee...
, KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth... - 3rd Squadron is the Air Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division stationed at Hunter Army AirfieldHunter Army AirfieldHunter Army Airfield , located in Savannah, Georgia, United States, is a military airfield and subordinate installation to Fort Stewart.Hunter features a runway that is 11,375 feet long and an aircraft parking area that is more than 350 acres...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. - 6th Squadron is the Air Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade16th Combat Aviation Brigade (United States)The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade is a Combat Aviation Brigade of the United States Army. It is subordinate to I Corps and based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord .The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade currently consists of the following units:...
, stationed at Fort WainwrightFort WainwrightFort Wainwright is a United States Army post adjacent to Fairbanks in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is part of the Fairbanks, Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, AlaskaAlaskaAlaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. - 7th Squadron is the Air Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade159th Combat Aviation BrigadeThe 159th Combat Aviation Brigade is part of the 101st Airborne Division , based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The 101st Airborne Division is the only division with two aviation brigades...
, 101st Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Unit history
1st Squadron- Callsign: Saber
- Reflagged from 1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment82nd Aviation Regiment (United States)The 82nd Aviation Regiment is an aviation regiment of the U.S. Army.-Lineage:Constituted 1 September 1957 in the Regular Army as the 82nd Aviation Company, assigned to the 82d Airborne Division, and activated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina...
to 1-17 CAV (callsign: Horsemen) under the command of LTC Michael Pyott, prior to deployment to Iraq in 2006. LTC Mike Morgan returned the callsign to the original "Saber" in 2008.
2nd Squadron
- Callsign: Out Front
- 2009 Best Aviation Unit in the United States Army
3rd Squadron
- Callsign: Light Horse
- 3rd Squadron traces its lineage through Troop C of the original Regiment.
- 3rd Squadron had been stationed at Fort DrumFort DrumFort Drum is a United States Army base in New York near the Canadian border.Fort Drum may also refer to:*Fort Drum, Florida, a nearly-uninhabited town in the United States*Fort Drum , Philippines...
, New York ever since it was reconstituted in 1986. During the Squadron's tenure at Fort Drum, its members cultivated a friendship with the Royal Canadian DragoonsThe Royal Canadian DragoonsThe Royal Canadian Dragoons is an armoured regiment of the Canadian Army. It is one of three armoured regiments in the Regular Force and forms part of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps....
. Currently assigned to the Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. While the division is based at Fort Stewart, GA, the CAB is located at Hunter Army Airfield on the south side of Savannah, GA.
4th Squadron
- Inactive. Originally created from Aviation Task Force 118 which replaced elements of the 160th Aviation Group (Airborne) in the Persian Gulf during Operation Prime ChanceOperation Prime ChanceOperation Prime Chance was a United States Special Operations Command operation intended to protect U.S.-flagged oil tankers from Iranian attack during the Iran–Iraq War. The operation took place roughly at the same time as Operation Earnest Will , the largely Navy effort to escort the tankers...
. Reflagged as 4th Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and relocated to Fort PolkFort PolkFort Polk is a United States Army installation located in Vernon Parish, approximately 7 miles east of Leesville, Louisiana and 20 miles north of DeRidder, Louisiana....
, Louisiana. 4th Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment reflagged as the 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment when the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment was restructured and redesignated as the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.
5th Squadron
- For unknown reasons, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry, located at Camp StanleyCamp StanleyCamp Stanley is a U.S. Army military camp located just east of the city of Uijeongbu, South Korea. The camp is part of the Red Cloud Garrison which is composed of Army installations near the Korean demilitarized zone...
, KoreaKoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
was reflagged in 1988 as 5th Squadron, 17th Cavalry and then reflagged back to 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry on 5 April 1995. 5th Squadron's colors are currently inactive.
6th Squadron
7th Squadron
- Callsign: Palehorse
- Reflagged from 1-17 (Palehorse) in 2006 after returning from OIF. Relocated to Fort Campbell, Kentucky as 7-17.
Honors
Campaign Participation Credit- 17th Cavalry Regiment
- World War II: Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe
- Vietnam: Defense; Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase II; 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
- Armed Forces Expeditions: Dominican Republic; Grenada
- Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
- 1st Squadron
- World War I: St. Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne; Lorraine
- World War II: Northern France; * Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; * Central Europe
- Armed Forces Expeditions: Dominican Republic; Grenada
- Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
- Troop B additionally entitled to:
- Vietnam: Tet Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase IV; Counteroffensive, Phase V; Counteroffensive, Phase VI; Tet 69/Counteroffensive; Summer-Fall 1969; Winter-Spring 1970
- Troop D additionally entitled to:
- Armed Forces Expeditions: Panama
- 2nd Squadron
- World War II: Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe
- Vietnam: Counteroffensive; 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
- Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
- Troop A additionally entitled to:
- Vietnam: Defense; Counteroffensive ; Counteroffensive, Phase II
- 3rd Squadron
- World War II: Northern France; Rhineland; North Apennines; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe; Po Valley
- 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
- 17th Cavalry Regiment
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DAK TO
- Valorous Unit Award for BEN CAT
- Valorous Unit Award for SAIGON-LONG BINH
- Valorous Unit Award for THUA THIEN - QUANG TRI
- Valorous Unit Award for CAMBODIA
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1966 -1967
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA
- 1st Squadron
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA
- Troop B additionally entitled to:
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968-1969
- Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1968
- 2nd Squadron
- Valorous Unit Award for THUA THIEN-QUANG TRI
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968-1969
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1969-1971
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971
- Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1968-1970
- Troop A additionally entitled to:
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DAK TO
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN
- Valorous Unit Award for TUY HOA
- Valorous Unit Award for THUA THIEN PROVINCE
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1965-1966
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966-1967
- 3rd Squadron
- Valorous Unit Award for CAMBODIA
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1967-1968
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971
- Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1969-1970
- Headquarters Troops additionally entitled to:
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1969-1970
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971-1972
- Troop A additionally entitled to:
- Valorous Unit Award for SAIGON-LONG BINH
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1970
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1970-1971
- Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1968
- Troop B additionally entitled to:
- Valorous Unit Award for TAY NINH PROVINCE
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1969
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1970-1971
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971
- Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1969
Heraldry
Distinctive Unit Insignia- Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a hurt wavy of six voided similarly or superimposed by a silver winged spur.
- Symbolism: The winged spur is emblematic of cavalry and speed. The blue ribbon alludes to service with the American Expeditionary Forces.
- Background: The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 28 June 1923. It was amended to revise the description and symbolism on 15 September 1987.
Coat of Arms
- Blazon:
- Shield: Per bend Tenné and Vert, in sinister chief a demi-unicorn and in dexter base a demi-horse both rampant Argent.
- Crest: On a wreath of the colors Argent and Tenné superimposed on a hurt wavy of six voided similarly Or a winged spur Argent.
- Motto: FORWARD.
- Symbolism:
- Shield: The shield is taken from the coat of arms of the parent organizations: The First, Third, Sixth, Eighth and Fourteenth Cavalry Regiments. The orange is representative of the uniform facings of the First Cavalry (the old First Dragoons), and the green alludes to the uniform facings of the Third Cavalry (the old Mounted Rifles). The demi-unicorn is taken from the shield of the Sixth Cavalry and the demi-horse from the Eighth Cavalry. The diagonal line is symbolic of the Fourteenth Cavalry.
- Crest: The winged spur is emblematic of cavalry and speed. The blue ribbon alludes to service with the American Expeditionary Forces.
- Background: The coat of arms was approved on 19 June 1923. It was amended to change the symbolism on 23 June 1960. The coat of arms was amended to revise the symbolism on 15 September 1987.
Traditions
Major General Holbrook, while he had commanded the regiment, had presented a cup to be awarded during a regimental competition among the officers of the 17th Cavalry. The competition became an annual event and continued to be held in Hawaii. The test consisted of a ten-mile cross-country ride containing two series of four jumps each, followed by two series of five jumps each and a fifteen-foot water jump. The winning riders' names were engraved on the cup, which was maintained by the regiment. Unfortunately, it cannot be found today.See also
Regimental Medal of Honor recipients- Michael John FitzmauriceMichael John FitzmauriceMichael John Fitzmaurice is a former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.-Biography:...
- Garfield M. Langhorn
- Joseph G. LaPointe, Jr.
- Ray McKibbenRay McKibbenRay McKibben was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.-Biography:...
- Robert Martin PattersonRobert Martin Patterson- External links :...
External links
- C/3-17 Cavalry
- 7-17th Cavalry, Ruthless Riders
- 49th Aviation Task Force, current parent unit of the 6th Squadron.
- Troop F 17th Cavalry 196th LIB
- 2/17th Cavalry, Fort Campbell, Ky.