Cavalry (United States)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 This article does not cite any references or sources. (June 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
Please improve this article if you can. (October 2007)
United States Army: Cavalry

Captain Charles A. May's squadron of the 2d Dragoons slashed through the enemy lines in an attack that climaxed the opening campaigns of the Mexican War. 2,500 American soldiers shattered the Mexican force of 6,000. May's attack order was simple and effective: "Remember your regiment and follow your officers."
Active November 17, 1775–1951
Country United States
Branch Regular Army
Type Cavalry
Role Cavalry, Reconnaissance, Assault
Size Varied

The Cavalry of the 'United States Army had its origins as a horse-mounted cavalry force that existed in various forms, in its horse mounted form, between 1775 and 1943, although the Regular Army did not maintain cavalry between the Revolution and shortly before the Mexican War. The U.S. Cavalry played an important role in extending American governance into western North America.

The 1st Cavalry Division is the only division of the United States Army that retains the "cavalry" name and the division retains one detachment of ceremonial horse cavalry for morale and ceremonial purposes. The division is otherwise divided into four armored brigades and one air cavalry brigade, both of which contain subordinate units that perform traditional cavalry tasks.

The last horse cavalry charge by a horse Army cavalry unit took place against Japanese forces during the fighting in the Bataan Peninsula, Philippines, in the village of Morong on January 16, 1942, by the 26th Cavalry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts. Shortly thereafter, the besieged combined United States-Philippine forces were forced to slaughter their horses for food and the 26th Regiment fought on foot or in whatever scarce vehicles were available until their surrender. Having said that, the mounted reconnaissance unit of the 10th Mountain Division, which was often referred to within that unit as being cavalry, which it technically was not, is reported to have conducted a mounted charge as late as 1945 in Austria.

Starting bfore World War II the Army commenced experimenting with mechanization, and had partially mechanized some cavalry regiments, such as the Wyoming National Guard's 115th Cavalry Horse-Mechanized. During World War II, many of the Army's cavalry units were mechanized with tanks and reconnaissance vehicles while other's fought dismounted as infantry. Some units were converted into other types of units entirely, some of which made use of the cavalry's experience with horses. The Mars Men of the China Burma theatre give such an example.

The distinct cavalry branch ceased to exist when it was absorbed into the Armor branch in 1951, during the Korean War. Other regiments of both armored and air cavalry exist in the Army. The patches on 1st Cavalry Division helicopters that served in Vietnam retained the symbol of a horse, symbolizing the mobility that characterized the original horse cavalry. In spite of the formal abolishment of the branch, however, the recognition of it continues on within the Army's armor branch, where some officers choose cavalry branch insignia over the very similar armor branch insignia.

Chief, the cavalry's last horse of the original tactical horses, died in 1968 at the age of 36.

There is still one Army Military Occupational Specialty that is active and has been since the early Cavalry days: 19D Cavalry Scout.

Contents

[edit] Culture

Solders with the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard, Fort Riley, Kansas, prepare for a parade.
Solders with the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard, Fort Riley, Kansas, prepare for a parade.

The cavalry is classically employed in Western movies as a force that comes to save the day, typically against hostile Indians. They are often accompanied by a bugle call, and the cry "Charge".[1] The cry "Charge" is today also commonly used at United States sporting events with the same bugle call. It is one of the most instantly recognizable tunes in American culture, film and television, especially 1950s and 1960s Western shows.

[edit] Tradition

The cavalry, much like any other military force, has its own unique traditions and history. Among these traditions include the Order of the Spur commonly called "Spur Ride", cavalry Stetson, Saber Arch, Fiddler's Green poem, the song/rallying cry Garryowen, and the Order of the Yellow Rose. Units in the modern Army with cavalry lineage often unofficially adopt Black Stetson's as unofficial semi dress headgear, recalling the black felt campaign hats of the Frontier Era.

[edit] Cavalry unit distribution

1st Cavalry Division's Horse Cavalry Detachment charge during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, 2005.
1st Cavalry Division's Horse Cavalry Detachment charge during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, 2005.

American Revolution Era US Cavalry Regiments

1832/1833 and subsequent Cavalry Units

  • Divisions
  • Regular Army
  • National Guard
  • 21st Cavalry Division; New York; New Jersey; Pennsylvania and Rhode Island Army National Guards.
  • 22nd Cavalry Division; Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin Army National Guards.
  • 23rd Cavalry Division; Alabama, Massachusetts, New Mexico, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin Army National Guards.
  • 24th Cavalry Division; Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming Army National Guards.
  • Army Reserve.
  • Brigades
  • Regular Army
With colors flying and guidons down, the lead troops of the famous 9th Cavalry pass in review at the regiment's new home in rebuilt Camp Funston. Ft. Riley, Kansas May 28, 1941
With colors flying and guidons down, the lead troops of the famous 9th Cavalry pass in review at the regiment's new home in rebuilt Camp Funston. Ft. Riley, Kansas May 28, 1941
  • National Guard
  • 51st Cavalry Brigade; New York Army National Guard.
  • 52nd Cavalry Brigade; Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
  • 53rd Cavalry Brigade; Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin Army National Guards.
  • 54th Cavalry Brigade; Kentucky and Ohio Army National Guards.
  • 55th Cavalry Brigade; Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee Army National Guards.
  • 57th Cavalry Brigade; Iowa and Kansas Army National Guards.
  • 58th Cavalry Brigade; Idaho and Wyoming Army National Guards.
  • 59th Cavalry Brigade; Massachusetts and New Jersey Army National Guards.
  • Regiments
  • Volunteers
  • 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, CA ARNG [2]
  • 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), 40th Infantry Division, OR ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 94th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT, 34th Infantry Division, MN ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division (Mechanized), NY ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 55th BCT, 28th Infantry Division, PA ARNG
  • 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 56th BCT, 28th Infantry Division, PA ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry Regiment, 32nd Brigade Combat Team, WI ARNG
  • 106th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment, 33rd BCT, IL ARNG
  • 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 28th Infantry Division, PA ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, 48th IBCT, GA ARNG
  • 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, 256th BCT, LA ARNG
  • 3rd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, 560th BfSB, GA ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 34th Infantry Division, IA ARNG
  • 2nd Squadron, 116th Cavalry Regiment, 116th Cavalry Brigade, ID ARNG
  • 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division, NJ ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, TX ARNG
  • 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, TX ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment, WV ARNG (1-150th Cav is part of 30th BCT, NC ARNG)
  • 1st Squadron, 151st Cavalry Regiment, AR ARNG (1-151st Cav is part of 39th Infantry BCT, AR ARNG)
  • 1st Squadron, 153rd Cavalry Regiment, 53rd Infantry BCT, FL ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 158th Cavalry Regiment (RSTA), 58th BCT, 29th Infantry Division, MD ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 182nd Cavalry Regiment, MA ARNG, 26 BCT, 29th Infantry Division
  • 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment (RSTA), 116th BCT, 29th Infantry Division, VA ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 192nd Cavalry Regiment, 92nd BCT, PR ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 263rd Cavalry Regiment, 218th Infantry BCT, SC ARNG
  • 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, TN ARNG
  • 1st Squadron, 279th Cavalry Regiment, 45th Infantry BCT, OK ARNG
  • Army Reserve.

[edit] Notable United States Cavalrymen

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bugle Calls
Languages