17th Cavalry Regiment (United States)

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17th Cavalry Regiment

Active	1916-
Country	United States
Branch	Cavalry, Aviation
Type	Cavalry
Motto	Forward
Colors	Yellow
Battles/wars	World War II Grenada Operation Just Cause Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Storm Operation Restore Hope Operation Iraqi Freedom
Insignia
Distinctive Unit Insignia

U.S. Cavalry Units
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The 17th Cavalry is a historical organization within the United States Army that began as a regiment of cavalry after the Pancho Villa Expedition; Constituted 1 July 1916 in the Regular Army as the 17th Cavalry at Fort Bliss, Texas^[1] 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 Brigades, where the Squadrons, now constituted as Armed Reconnaissance Squadrons (ARS) carry on the legacy of the 17th Cavalry Regiment.

1 History
2 Units
3 Honors
4 Heraldry
5 Traditions
6 References
7 External links

[edit] History

[edit] 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 lst, 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 Williard 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. Colonel Holbrook went on to become the Chief of Cavalry for the United States Army.

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 activity. 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.^[1]

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.

[edit] 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 travelled from El Paso to arrive at Douglas, Arizona, 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 Station, Arizona and Slaughter's Ranch (13 miles east).

Trouble began in the copper mining districts of Arizona as 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.^[1]

[edit] 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 Shafter 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.

[edit] Vietnam

[edit] Iraq

[edit] Units

1st Squadron

Fort Bragg, North Carolina

2nd Squadron

Fort Campbell, Kentucky

3rd Squadron

Fort Drum, New York

4th Squadron

Disbanded. Originally created from TF 118 which replaced 160th AVN BN in the Persian Gulf during Operation Prime Chance. Reflagged as 4th Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and relocated to Fort Polk, Louisiana. Now currently reflagged as 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment.

5th Squadron

For unknown reasons, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry 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

Fort Wainwright, Alaska

7th Squadron

Fort Campbell, Kentucky

[edit] 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

[edit] 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.

[edit] Traditions

Major General Holbrook, while he had commanded the regiment, had presented a cup for presentation during a regimental competition among the officers of the 17th Cavalry. The competition became an annual event and continued to be held, even while the regiment was 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. Winners names were engraved on the cup and it was maintained by the regiment. Unfortunately, it cannot be found today.