1st Cavalry Division

Currently a heavy (i.e., mechanized and armor) division of the United States Army, the 1st Cavalry Division has a name that is historical but proud; it has been a very long time since it had horses. During the Vietnam War, it was an air assault division using helicopters as virtual horses. The Division takes intense pride in its yellow and black shoulder patch, often considered the gaudiest in the Army.

Its lineage is in horse cavalry units from the American Civil War and the frontier wars; it was organized as a horse cavalry division, to patrol the western United States and Mexican border, in 1921.

Second World War
By 1943, it became a foot infantry division and was sent to the Southwest Pacific Area headed by Douglas MacArthur. Its first combat operation was February 29, 1944 the men of the division sailed for the Admiralty Islands and stormed ashore in an amphibious landing at Los Negros Island in the Admiralty Islands. It had a major role in the Phillipines campaign, first on Leyte and then on the main island of Luzon.

On January 31, 1945, MacArthur, "Go to Manila, free the prisoners at Santo Tomas, take Malacanan Palace and the legislative building." A fast column freed the endangered prisoners of war at the Santo Tomas Prison Camp, and it was then the Army unit "First in Manila". Subsequently, it was the lead unit in the occupation of Japan.

Korea
It made an amphibious landing to reinforce the beleaguered Pusan Perimeter on July 18, 1950. In mid-September, it was part of the breakout, capturing Pyongyang on October 9. After the Chinese intervention, it was part of the defense of Seoul, returning to Japan in 1952. It returned to Demilitarized Zone patrol in 1957, continuing until 1965, when it deployed to Vietnam.

Vietnam War
While the 1st Cavalry was the first airmobile division in Vietnam, it was not the same unit as in Korea; it exchanged colors with the 11th Air Assault Division (test)airmobile test division in the U.S. Within 90 days of becoming the Army's first air mobile division, it was in action at the Battle of the Ia Drang and the Battle of Bong Son in II Corps Tactical Zone.

It patrolled the Bong Son through 1968, redeploying to I Corps Tactical Zone in time to meet the Tet Offensive. It relieved Quang Tri by February 1, and then linked up with the Marines, ending the Battle of Khe Sanh.

The division was part of the May 1970 strikes into Cambodia, and was the first division to leave in 1972.

Gulf War
In the Gulf War, the 1st Cav was Theater Reserve reporting to GEN H Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., also conducting reconnaissance in force to deceive the Iraqis on where the main Operation DESERT SABRE ground assault would come.