JUMPING MUSTANG HISTORY

1ST AIRBORNE INFANTRY BRIGADE 1ST AIR CAVALRY DIVISION, AIRMOBILE (1965-1966)

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"FIRST SHIFT"
The 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, Airborne Infantry, Air Assault, Airmobile was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia, 1 July,1965 along with the rest of the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Our Battalion sailed to Vietnam in August and September of that year as part of the 1st Air Cavalry Division, Airmobile.

Later, the"Jumping Mustangs" along with the rest of the 1st Airborne Brigade ceased to exist as an Airborne unit, continuing in action as an Airmobile unit with the remainder of the Division. All personnel on jump status within the brigade, continued in that status and drew jump pay throughout their tour.

First mission for the Brigade was to become Airborne. All straight legs in the Brigade were encouraged to volunteer for Airborne training. Most of the men volunteered and a few of the younger sergeants as well as most of the 2nd and 1st Lieutenants. Special airborne classes were set up by the Jump School at Ft Benning for the three Infantry battalions of the brigade (1/8, 2/8 and 1/12), artillery and the division slice of Division Support and Combat Support Units. The Brigade went through training as a unit, the first time this had occurred since World War II, under supervision of its own officers.
Physical and disciplinary training was conducted by respective battalion commanders of the brigade, thus the Jump School was in charge only of the airborne training. All troops were housed in their own respective billets.

During the airborne training, airborne company commanders and many of the staff were received from the respective advanced courses: HQ and HQ Co: Capt Russell Ramsey, A Co: Capt Ted Danielsen, B Co: Capt Roy Martin, C Co: Capt William Smith, D Co: Capt Vandoster Tabb, Bn Ex O: Major Guy Eberhardt, S-1: Capt Bill Mozey, S-2: Capt Charles Stone, S-3: Major John Herman, later Ex O, Asst S-3: Capt Norman Propes, later S-3, S-4: Capt Jerrel Plummer (G. P.McLaughlin later), Asst S-4: CWO Samuel Rader, Bn Surgeon: Capt Richard Odom, Chaplain: Capt Ralph Spears, Air Force LNO: Capt Charles Corey (Edward Holland initially), Artillery LNO: Capt David Wilkie, Bn Comdr: Lt Col Kenneth D. Mertel.

Senior non-coms, to include most of the platoon sergeants, first sergeants and sergeant majors came from the 101st Airborne Division: Comd Sgt Major: CSM Herbert McCullah, HQ&HQ Co: 1st Sgt. William Tucker, A Co: 1st. Sgt. Robert Gonzales, B Co: 1st Sgt. Ray Poynter, C Co: 1st. Sgt. Grady Trainer, D Co: 1st. Sgt. James R. Smith.

Intense training followed until we sailed for Vietnam, day and night, 16 hours a day, Saturday and Sunday. We had so little time and so much to do. The new M-16 Rifle arrived along with long hours of rifle marksmanship training on the firing range. Practice of air assault tactics with the HUEY Helicopter, patrols, day and night. Long hours of training of non-commissioned officer and officers. We had to develop our own standard operating procedures at every level, including Bn. HQ.

8 July 1965 marked the first parachute jump for those paratroopers already qualified as jumpers. This was a brigade level jump from C-130's, spilling out over the wet fields on the Alabama side of the Chattahoochee at 1845 hours. No injuries in this first jump, with all participants becoming charter members of the 1st Airborne Infantry Brigade. Several other jumps were made by all members of the brigade as the budding new paratroopers made each of their qualifying jumps. By the end of the month, the 1st Brigade was & truly an Airborne Infantry Brigade, ready for what ever combat role would be required in Vietnam.

Incidentally, the first jump in the Airborne Brigade was made from a HUEY D Model by the Brigade Commander, Colonel Elvey Roberts (later three stars); Lt Colonel Robert Shoemaker (later four stars), Commander of the 1st of the 12th Airborne, Airmobile Battalion (later four stars) and Lt Colonel Kenneth D. Mertel, Commander of the 1st of the 8th Airborne Airmobile, Air Assault Battalion.

Lots of physical training including running in the July and August Georgia sun and heat, culminated in the five mile run, promised in the beginning as a battalion goal. We all made it, the JUMPING MUSTANG Guidon flying high, only a few stragglers struggled on in. The Chaplain, Surgeon Air Force Liaison Officer and Artillery Liaison Officer all completed the run.

Orders to dye our underwear green, also handkerchiefs and anything white. Columbus, Georgia and all the wives and girl friends went to work to help us. We became Army Green overnight.

Then fond farewells to families and friends as we boarded buses for the drive to Savannah, Georgia to embark!

The 1st Airborne Brigade sailed for the most part on the USN Geiger from Savannah, Georgia on 20 August 1965. Up anchor at 1745 hours, down the Savannah River to the Atlantic Ocean, then around through the Panama Canal, with stops in Hawaii and Guam, finally debarking in Qui Nhon, Vietnam 30 days later.

In Honolulu, Hawaii for a few hours. all were permitted to go ashore for a few hours in the early afternoon, back aboard by 2400 hours. All "Sky Troopers" went ashore in Fire Teams under the control of their NCO. All had a good time and all returned without incident, signifying the strong NCO leadership in the Battalion and the bonding and spirit and morale that made sure no one wanted to let our unit down. I was most proud of all of our fine troops.

At Guam we went ashore for a few hours, running in a Battalion column of Companies, shorts and boots, passed many ships, decks filled with observing sailors, none of who dared to make a cat call. Down to the beach where Capt Bill Mozey, the Adjutant had collared a van load of ice cold beer. What a glorious time in the sun and ocean, a few beers, relaxing before continuing our journey. Only casualty, one young trooper who dove into the ocean and hit a chunk of corral with his head. A bit of blood, but nothing lasting. Then running back to our ship to get rid of the effects of the beer.

The Brigade engaged in maximum weapons training, including firing off the ship's fan tail, constant and continuous physical conditioning and squad and platoon level skull sessions. Constant double timing in place for 30 minutes or more every day on the deck. Some said we double timed clear across the vast Pacific. Thus upon arrival in Vietnam, the paratroopers were ready for killing communist or whatever the mission might be.

The troopers were ferried by helicopter from ship side to An Khe to join the rest of the division at the Division Base. First missions were defending the base, and securing the area from any prowling Viet Cong or regular troops of the North Vietnamese Army.

Numerous air assaults and skirmishes occurred over the next few weeks as we improved our combat ability and professionalism. Our first major engagement for the Brigade and the 1st Air Cavalry Division, Airmobile, was the Ia Drang Valley Campaign, 23 October 1965 to 26 November 1965 where the first Presidential Unit Citation was earned in the initial use of Airmobile Warfare to destroy the major portions of two or more regular North Vietnamese Army Division and drive them from the II Corps Tactical Zone. All elements of the 1st Airborne Infantry Brigade participated in this action, with A Company, commanded by Captain Ted Danielsen, 1st of the 8th, making the first combat night air assault in the history of Airmobile Warfare.

In November and December of 1965, we participated in a series of Search and Destroy missions clearing the area East of An Khe to Qui Nhon, an area previously a safe haven for both Viet Cong and regular North Vietnamese Army units. This was a most important mission, for the 1st Air Cavalry Division Base at An Khe was primarily supplied overland via Highway 19. In addition the same highway was cleared to Pleiku, thru Mang Yang Pass, to the West of the Division Base, the scene of the destruction of French Mobile Group 100 in earlier years. The Jumping Mustangs initially opened this pass in a series of combat operations.

During this same time frame, A Company, 1st of the 8th was selected as the typical rifle company in Vietnam for filming of the famous ABC Television Production, "I am a Soldier", one hour in length, a most pro Army and pro Vietnam movie film. Aired in March of 1966 in the US, this film focused much attention on the Airborne Brigade, and especially the 1st of the 8th. This film became a training film for the US Army, widely used by units going to Vietnam. It also covered the first and only training jump of the brigade in Pleiku, when a series of training jumps were conducted by most elements of the brigade. While not conducted as an airborne air assault, they were used to position units for a series of search and destroy missions

In January of 1966, it was widely believed by the US media, that the 1st Air Cavalry would make an attack into Cambodia, long used as a safe haven for supply points, hospitals, training areas and headquarters of major elements of the North Vietnamese Regular Army. The brigade was inundated by reporters and photographers. The 1st of the 8th was overwhelmed with over 30 media people, four or five in each assault rifle company. Although the media and the troops were ready for the air assault into Cambodia, which might have ended the war early on, this was not to be, due to timidity on the part of US political leaders and fear of further Russian and Chinese involvement. The attack into Cambodia would not take place until 1970, when the 1st Air Cavalry Division, Airmobile, led the assault into Cambodia capturing tens of thousands of tons of vital weapons, ammunition and other supplies that had been brought in from China and Russia via the long haul by elephants, pack bicycles and trucks over past years.

We continued a series of search and destroy and clearing operations in the area along the China Sea Coast. It was here that we had our first Medal of Honor winner (second for the Division in Vietnam) by Dave Dolby of B Company, commanded by Captain Roy Martin. In this same action, Captain Martin won a Distinguished Service Cross and his successor a few weeks later, Captain Jerry Plummer won a Silver Star. These were examples of the many demonstrations of heroism in combat shown by SKY TROOPERS of the JUMPING MUSTANGS, 1st Airborne Brigade and the 1st Air Cavalry Division.

Although no longer on airborne status later on in 1966, the Brigade continued to lead the way in the many other famous battles in which SKY SOLDIERS of the 1st Air Cavalry Division, Airmobile, led the way in conducting the new concepts of highly successful AIRMOBILE warfare.

We SKY TROOPERS of our great unit were truly JUMPING MUSTANGS, whether we jumped with a parachute or without one, into the tall jungle grass from a hovering helicopter. We were also the first unit to use the trooper ladder from a hovering Chinook (CH-47) in combat, both up and down, as well as the first unit to use the rappel method in a combat air assault, down dangling 100 foot ropes, into the jungle growth.

On the humor side, our greatest scroungers were in the S-4 Section. CWO Sam Rader, the best. A captured VC flag could be traded to Navy and Air Force types for beer, building materials, other things we could not normally received. It was rumored that the S-4 Section was manufacturing VC flags on the side with the help of some local Vietnamese, dirtying them up a bit, them using for trades. VC weapons were worth their weight in gold, for the same reason.

Bill Mozey was the great letter writer and scrounger. He wrote every commercial company in the US and Canada for items they manufactured that had the word "Mustang" in it as well as many other companies. We were inundated by the flow of goodies. Finally, a four star general wrote Bill and said, "Please lay off the letters", we cannot keep up with the flow of mail to the Jumping Mustangs. We were also adopted by the City of Chicago and on Christmas 1965, every trooper received 7-10 packages of goodies.

We were truly a great battalion with a great group of dedicated WARRIORS. It was my high privilege and honor to serve as the first commander of the JUMPING MUSTANGS.

HONOR AND COURAGE, DRIVE ON ALL THE WAY

KENNETH D. MERTEL,

MUSTANG 6

Colonel, Airborne Infantry

US Army, Retired, 27 November 1999

A detailed history of the first year in Vietnam by the JUMPING MUSTANGS, is contained in the book, "Year of the Horse, Vietnam" by Colonel Kenneth D. Mertel, 4th printing, hard back with photos, Schiffer Publishing Company, 1996. Also available on line with Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

Other WARRIORS of the "First Shift" may add to this History.
Contact the webmaster

SEE HISTORY LINK under each of B Company and C Company, 65-66 for an account on the classic battle of CRAZY HORSE in 1966. (02-25-00)

FOLLOWING THE LATTER PART OF THIS HISTORY PAGE IS A SHORT HISTORY OF OUR GREAT UNIT FROM THE INDIAN DAYS OF OUR WESTERN FRONTIER TO THE DESERT IN SW ASIA.

Continuing History of the 1/8 Cav

1965: Reorganized as 1st and 2nd Bn's Abn, 8th Cav and sent to Vietnam as part of the 1st Abn Bde, 1st Cav Div, Airmoble

1 Jul 1965: Reorganized as an Abn Bn in the newly reorganized 1st Cav Div, Airmobile, at Ft Benning, GA, commanded by Lt Col Kenneth D. Mertel

29 Jul 1965: 1st Cav Div, Airmobile ordered to Vietnam.

18 Aug 1965: Advance Party (18 Sky Troopers) departed Travis Air Force Base, CA by air for Vietnam

20 Aug 1965: Bn main body departed Savannah, GA on the USN Geiger for Vietnam

21 Sep 1965: Bn main body arrived at Qui Nhon, moved by helicopter to 1st Cav Div Base, North of An Khe, Binh Dinh province.

28 Sep 1965: Bn executed relief of elements of Task Force 1st Abn Bde, 101st Abn Div on the Picket Line. Platoon and Company size Air Assault Operations were conducted beyond the Picket Line, the first Air Assaults in combat for the Jumping Mustangs

2-12 Oct 1965: Bn occupied a portion of the Div Inner Perimeter.

4 Oct: Co C was attached to secure an Artillery Task Force (AMOS) vic Phu Cat. Relieved of this mission on 11 Oct.

11 Oct: Co A tasked to secure 3rd Fwd Spt installations in Binh Dinh

13-18 Oct 1965: Bn (-) occupied a portion of the Div Picket Line. Co and Bn size Air Assaults conducted outside the Picket Line. 13 Oct, Co A returns to Bn control

19-20 Oct 1965: Bn occupied a portion of the Div Inner Perimeter. General William Westmoreland visited Jumping Mustangs

21-27 Oct 1965: Bn conducted Search and Clear Operations in Binh Dinh prior to occupation by a Reg. of the ROK (Korean) Capital Div.

24-26 Oct: Co B destroyed 150 VC huts and captured 8.5 tons of rice.

27 Oct: Co C was attached to secure Artillery Task Force AMOS

28 Oct 1965: Bn (-) alerted to move to Pleiku. Mission canceled.

30 Oct-2 Nov 1965: Bn (-) secured An Khe Pass

2-7 Nov 1965: Bn (-) conducted offensive operations in Plei Me, Duc Co and Ia Drang Valley, South of Pleiku.

3-4 Nov: Co A conducted the first night Air Assault in Airmobile History, into a landing zone held by North Vietnamese Regular Army units, to reinforce the 1/9 Cav, estimated 10 enemy KIA

9-21 Nov 1965: Bn (-) secured and cleared Hwy 19 from An Khe, West to Pleiku; occupied portions of the Div Picket Line. Co C returned to Bn control

21-28 Nov 1965: Bn conducted offensive operations in the Ia Drang Valley

30 Nov 1965: Bn occupied portions of the Div Inner Perimeter and the An Khe Air Field

8 Dec 1965: Bn occupied Div Inner Perimeter, Picket Line and Air Field

9-15 Dec 1965: Bn conducted offensive operations South of An Khe. Elements of Co C and Recon Plat used Rappelling Techniques in Air Assaults into thick jungle areas. All units use Trooper Ladder Techniques from CH 47's. First unit to use Rapelling and Trooper Ladder Air Assaults in combat in the Division.

17-20 Dec 1965: Bn conducted offensive operations vicinity Thuan Hahn. 25 enemy KIA (body count), 100 estimated WIA.

21 Dec-4 Jan 1966: Bn on R & R at Bien Ho Lake, Pleiku. Chief of Staff of the Army came to dinner Christmas Day, with Co B. Co B secured 3rd Bde 25th Inf Div Base Camp

5-12 Jan 1966: Bn conducted Search and Destroy operations along Cambodian Border, in Operation MATADOR. Troop Ladder used extensively with great success throughout operation.
13 Jan-17 Feb 1966: Bn secured Hwy 19 from Mang Yang Pass to An Khe. Division Reserve. Extensive patrolling.

8 Feb: Co B engaged NVA Plat, 1 enemy KIA (body count), 1 KIA (est), 7 WIA (est).

18 Feb-6 Mar 1966: Bn participated in Operation MASHER-WHITE WING in Bong Son area, conducting Search and Destroy Missions. 25 enemy KIA (body count), 25 KIA (est), 23 KIA (est), 47 WIA (est), and 40 individual weapons captured

7-12 Mar-1966: Bn in Division Reserve, preparing for further missions

13-20 Mar 1966: Bn conducted offensive operations in Bong Son area in Operations TARZAN and JIM BOWIE. Change of leadership as LTC Barney Broughton assumes command, LTC Mertel moves to Brigade as Deputy Commander.

CAMPAIGN STREAMERS AND DECORATIONS 1/8 CAVALRY

INDIAN WARS

Comanches

Apaches

Pine Ridge

Arizona 1867

Arizona 1868

Arizona 1869

Oregon 1868

Mexico 1877

WORLD WAR II

New Guinea

Bismark

Archipelago (with arrow head Leyete Luzon)

KOREAN WAR

UN Defensive

UN Offensive

CCF Intervention

First UN Offensive

CCF Spring Offensive

UN Summer-Fall Offensive

Second Korean Winter

Korea, Summer-Fall Offensive 1952

Third Korean Winter

VIETNAM

Vietnam Defensive Campaign

Vietnam Counter Offensive

Vietnam Counter Offensive II

Vietnam Counter Offensive III

Tet Counter Offensive

Vietnam Counter Offensive IV

Vietnam Counter Offensive V

Vietnam Counter Offensive VI

Tet 69 Counter Offensive

DECORATIONS

Streamer, Distinguished Unit Citation, LUZON

Streamer, Distinguished Unit Citation, MANUS ISLAND

Streamer, Distinguished Unit Citation, TAEGU

Streamer, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, (17 October 1944 - 4 July 1945)
Streamer, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, WAEGWAN-TAEGU
Streamer, Republic of Korea, Presidential Unit Citation, KOREA

Streamer, Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Bravery Gold Medal of Greece KOREA)
Streamer, Presidential Unit Citation, PLEIKU

Streamer, Presidential Unit Citation, TRUNG LUONG

EIGHTH CAVALRY MILESTONES

Constituted 28 July 1866 as Eighth Cavalry

Organized 21 Sep 1866 at Angel Island, California

Assigned to 15th Cavalry Division, Dec 1917-May 1918

Assigned to 1st Cavalry Division at Ft Bliss, Texas, 15 Sep 1921

Dismounted Feb 1943 and reorganized 4 Dec 1943, partly under Cavalry and partly under Infantry tables of organization

Reorganized as Infantry, 20 Jul 1945, but retained Cavalry designation

Reorganized 25 Mar 1949 with Troops redesigned as Companies

Reorganized 15 Oct 1957 to conform to the Combat Arms System

Reorganized and redesignated on 1 Sep 1963 as 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry

Division transferred 1 Jul 1965 to Fort Benning, Georgia, and reorganized under the Air Mobile Concept

Division Transferred 5 May 1971 to Ft Hood, Texas and reorganized as an Armored Division under the Triple-Capability (TRICAP) Concept

Division reorganized 21 Feb 1975, an Armored Division, Ft Hood, Texas

Division ordered to South West Asia on 7 Aug 1990 or DESERT STORM

Division returned to Fort Hood, Texas, May 1991

Division elements including 1st Battalion, 8th Cav, ordered to Kuwait on 22 Aug 1995

Division elements including 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry ordered to Bosnia on 17 Apr 1998

Division returns to Ft Hood, Texas 18 Oct 1999

IN THE BEGINNING

The History of the 8th United States Cavalry Regiment is inextricably interwoven with the development and expansion of the United States. From the demands of the arduous Indian Campaigns to the distant jungles of Vietnam and the desert of SW Asia, the 8th Cavalry has provided inspirational leadership to vanquish the enemy and provide a haven for peaceful habitation and a secure way of life. The 8th Cavalry Regiment has given valiant and dedicated service to the American Southwest, Mexico, Cuba, Philippines, Mexico (prior to World War I), the Southwest Pacific and Europe in World War II; occupation duty in Japan was followed by combat in Korea. The 8th Cavalry, its traditions established in these past conflicts, rose to the challenge of the conflict in Vietnam, its most severe and longest test, which it has passed with flying colors. Its officers and men have courageously performed their duties in order to free Vietnam and SW Asia from the tyranny of foreign oppression and to establish a democratic way of life The abbreviated history which follows is designed to provide an insight into the development and activities of the 8th Cavalry Regiment since its activation on 17 Nov 1866. Although only the bare essentials are covered, the elements of "Honor and Courage" are readily apparent throughout the regiment's long and faithful service. As past members of this outstanding regiment, this heritage is yours. Your accomplishments in Vietnam has now become the regiment's history. Wear the "JUMPING MUSTANG " proudly as a symbol of courage and devotion to duty. By doing so, you will set an enviable example which others will seek to follow.

THE BATTLES OF THE AMERICAN WEST

The 8th Cavalry which was organized at Camp Reynolds, Angel Island, California on 17 November 1866, soon became a vital part of the effort to pacify the American West from Arizona and California to the Dakotas and Montana. Troop B, the predecessor of our own Company B, was organized with an initial enlistment of 85 officers and men. At the Presidio of San Francisco on 23 October 1866, 2d Lt S. A. Porter, 14th Infantry was assigned as its first commander. Of particular interest is the fact that among the first field officers assigned to the 8th Cavalry, Colonel John I. Gregg, commander, and LTC Thomas C. Devin, Executive Officer, held the rank of Major General and Brigadier General, respectively in the Civil War. Colonel Gregg held command of the Regiment until 1878.

Also, from the time the regiment was formed until the end of the Vietnam War, it has been engaged in either combat or the performance of some type of security mission. Utilizing the inherent mobility of the Cavalry, the regiments began the task of pacifying the land against them warring tribes of the Apache and Comanches in the Southwest and the Sioux in the Dakotas. Small skirmished were the rule and the number of men in a troop rarely exceeded seventy. Actions were carried out on a small scale with ten to twenty men led by a company grade officer or senior non-commissioned officer in command. The troop was rarely deployed as a unit. With the regimental headquarters first located in Arizona, twelve line troops operated within an area of five states. Later the headquarters was transferred to Fort Meade, South Dakota, when the center of operations had shifted to the Upper Midwest.

The work of protecting isolated farm settlements and small towns of the frontier was difficult at best. But the 8th Regiment became know for its quick striking forays in many different locations across the western part of the U. S. As the campaign streamers indicate, the unit fought in Arizona, then Oregon, back to Texas and up to the Dakotas-all in a space of ten years. A more detailed sketch of these actions indicates the mobility and hardiness of these early trooper as they fought an enemy both elusive and courageous. The Comanches and Apaches were cavalrymen who excelled in ambush and surprise tactics. With the center of operations in 1875-1888 being in Texas, the Regiment distinguished itself in overcoming the Indian tribes of the Southwest. During this period of time, other events such as non-appropriation of funds in 1875 for the military and mishandling of Indian affairs by the Department of the Interior, made the Regiments task a more difficult one. In 1876, following the successful completion of activities in the Southwest, the 8th Regiment was sent to relieve elements of the 7th Cavalry operations in Montana and South Dakota. This transfer was made in three months covering 2,000 miles Troops H traveled 2,613 miles from Texas to Montana, thus making one of the longest marches in the history of the United States Army. Participating in action along with the 6th, 7th and 9th Cavalry, it was a detachment of the 8th Cavalry which killed Sitting Bull near Fort Union, Montana.

By the end of the 1880's, the West had been pacified and the mission accomplished by the 8th Regiments contributed significantly to the overall success of the U. S . Army in its operation in the West.

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR

The Regimental Headquarters remained at Fort Meade, South Dakota until 1898 when the U. S. went to war with Spain. The 8th Regiment was assembled in Alabama and sailed to Cuba November 1898 for four years of occupation duty. In 1907, the regiments returned to Fort Riley, Kansas and Jefferson Barracks, Missouri and remained there until it was ordered to overseas duty in 1905, this time to the Philippines. Following two years of missions against the native insurgents, the regiment returned to the U. S. with garrisons in Nebraska, Wyoming and Arizona. In 1910, the regiment returned to the Philippines for its second tour in the Islands where it was active in fighting the Moros and in extensive patrolling missions throughout the Islands.

MEXICAN WAR

In 1915, the 8th Cavalry returned to the U. S. and was assigned the mission of patrolling the Mexican U. S. Border in order to protect ranchers and settlers from raids conducted by bandits. As the frequencies of these raids increased, it became necessary to move the Regimental Headquarters to the Big Bend Country of Texas. The 8th Cavalry never crossed the Mexican border in force. However, one of its members, 1LT George Patton, serving as aide-de-camp to General Pershing, was involved in an incident with enemy forces. On a force mission with a small detachment, 1LT Patton deployed his seven men to cover a ranch house of one of Pancho Villa's colonels. Three horsemen galloped from the house and in an exchange of shots, Lt Patton killed all three with his pistol, including the colonel.

WOLRD WAR II

The 8th Cavalry became a part of the 1st Cavalry Division on 13 September 1921, and has remained with the division to this present day. When World War II broke out, the 8th Cavalry, as part of the division, was again assigned the mission of patrolling the Mexican Border. At this time, the division was composed of two brigades, consisting of two regiments and support troops. The 1st Brigade consisted of the 5th and 12th Cavalry Regiments, which the 2nd Brigade contained the 7th and 8th Regiments. In late 1942, the 1st Cavalry Division became a dismounted unit. All horses and horse mounted equipment were put aside and the troopers dismounted to fight on foot.

In July 1943, the 8th Cav embarked for Australia. Six months of intensive training followed at Camp Strathpine, including amphibious assault operations. The regiment was finally committed at Salamia Beach on Los Negros Island. Following this operation, the 8th Cavalry assaulted the beach on Manus Island on 15 March 1944 and captured Lorengau airstrip. For outstanding achievement, Co A was awarded the Distinguished Unit Streamer. The 8th Cavalry continued fighting on the island until the Admiralty Campaign was concluded in October 1944. In the same month, the 8th Cavalry was selected as part of the division reserve in the invasion of Leyte, Philippines. After a determine attack resulting in the capture of the Samur Island, the main task of the 8th Cavalry was to patrol and carry out flank protection. The regiment landed on Luzon in late January 1945. The division commander received the order from General MacArthur to "go to Manila". On the first of February, the Second Squadron moved out and two days later, after blasting road blocks, forging rivers and driving a deep wedge in enemy lines, the squadron was the first battalion sized unit to reach Manila. The Second Squadron, 8th Cavalry, received a Presidential Unit Citation for this action. The 8th Cavalry continued to pursue the remnants of the Japanese Army until the eventual surrender of the Japanese Army to General MacArthur in August 1945. The 8th Cavalry had again led the way in the bitter fighting in the Islands and showed great courage and determination in routing the stubborn and unyielding enemy forces. With the Japanese surrender, the 8th Cavalry Regiment was ordered to Japan to accompany General MacArthur to Tokyo. The next five years was spent in training and in occupation duty.

KOREAN WAR

On 25 June 1950, the North Koreans moved across the 38th parallel and attacked South Korea. With little or no resistance, they pushed forward. Eighteen days after the invasion, the 8th Cavalry was again called upon to help restore peace to an overseas nation allied with the U. S. Sailing from Japan, the regiment made an amphibious assault landing behind enemy lines. Although the landing was unopposed, it was not long before the regiment engaged in a bitter struggle with the North Korean forces. During these engagements, the Third Battalion, 7th Infantry, was assigned to the 8th Cavalry as its organic third battalion.

The UN began a coordinated series of attacks which led to a general offensive culminating in the allied troops reaching the Yalu River. The river was also the border separating Manchuria from Korea. In September of 1950, the 8th Cavalry was in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. At this stage the war appeared to be won, but with Red Chinese Intervention and the UN Forces spread thinly over the land, the expected peace did not materialize. The corps commander, in anticipation of this Communist threat, detached the 8th Cavalry from the 1st Cavalry Division and ordered it to take up defensive positions northwest of the North Korean capital. On the night of 1 November 1950, the Communist Chinese struck, penetrating Companies B and C, then turning and cutting the supply lines between the 5th and 8th Cavalry. Before the regiment could be withdrawn, another Chinese attack cut through the 8th Cavalry and surrounded the 3rd Battalion. Repeated attempts to break out of the encirclement failed and the few survivors of the encounter broke through and escaped in small groups or singly. At the end of the engagement, the regiment was at forty-five percent strength. Despite this staggering blow, the unit was able to regroup and withdraw in orderly fashion. Rebounding from this grievous loss, the regiment began to probe northward In early 1951. Taking part in a UN offensive the 8th Regiment continued to advance until July 1951. Late that year in December, the regiment was relieved and the 1st Cavalry Division was sent to Japan.

The 8th Regiment in Korea had again shown the fighting spirit which had been its trademark in the past and which was necessary in this conflict to drive back and defeat a determined and numerically superior enemy. Despite the weather and overwhelming odds, the 8th Cavalry had continued to fight on. It is indeed a credit to these troopers that they were able to rebound from the face of defeat and continue to give generous assistance to the allied effort.

HISTORY OF THE VIETNAM WAR IS SHOWN UNDER COMPANY HOME PAGES FOR THE YEARS INDICATED.

HISTORY OF 1970-1971 IS SHOWN UNDER E CO MUSTANGS HOME PAGE.

HISTORY OF THE CURRENT ACTIVITIES OF THE 1st of the 8th, ACTIVE DUTY AT FORT HOOD, AND THEIR HISTORY SINCE VIETNAM, IS AT THE LINK BELOW.

http://www.hood.army.mil/1stcavdiv/units/2BCT/1-8/1-8.htm

PRINTED COPIES WILL BE MAILED TO ALL NEW MEMBERS, AND AVAILABLE TO CURRENT MEMBERS UPON REQUEST.

CONTACT JIM KNAFEL
JUMPING MUSTANG TREASURER