| 196th Infantry Brigade | |
|---|---|
196th Infantry Brigade shoulder sleeve insignia |
|
| Active | 1921–1946 1966–1972 1998–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | U.S. Army |
| Role | Training Support Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Shafter |
| Nickname | Chargers (Special Designation)[1] Burning Rope |
| Engagements | World War II {defended Hawaii} Vietnam War |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Jack K. Pritchard |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive Unit Insignia | |
The 196th Infantry Brigade ("Chargers"[1]) , also known as the Charger Brigade was first formed on 24 June 1921 as part of the United States Army Reserve's 98th Division with the responsibility of training soldiers.
Contents |
During World War II, the 98th initially defended Kauai, Hawaii and Maui, Hawaii, and finally responsible for defending Oahu, Hawaii later in the war. The Division began intensive training in May 1945 to prepare for the invasion of Japan, but the war ended before they could depart Hawaii. However, the unit arrived in Japan for occupation duty as the 3rd Platoon, 98th Reconnaissance Troop Mechanized, of the 98th Infantry Division, where it eventually was inactivated on 16 February 1946, in Charlotte, NC.
15 July 1966 – June 1972. The 196th LIB was reactivated again in September 1965 at Fort Devens, where it was originally scheduled to be sent to the Dominican Republic, but was rushed to Vietnam on 15 July 1966 via transport ships, arriving on 14 August 1966 in Tay Ninh City, where it began combat operations in the western area of the III Corps Tactical Zone. The 196th conducted Operation Cedar Falls, Gadsden, Lancaster, Operation Junction City, Benton, and Operation Attleboro (War Zone C of Tay Ninh Province), where it turned into a major action after a large enemy base camp was found on 19 October 1966. In April 1967, the 196th was selected, along with the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division and the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, to form a temporary division unit called Task Force Oregon, where it was moved to the I Corps Tactical Zone. The brigade became part of the 23rd Infantry Division (the Americal Division) on 25 September 1967, and participated in Operation Wheeler/Wallowa, Golden Fleece, Fayette Canyon, Frederick Hill, Lamar Plain, Elk Canyon I, and Elk Canyon II. In early May 1968, the 2/1 of the 196th was flown in to assist at the Battle of Kham Duc. On 29 November 1971, the 196th became a separate temporary entity to safeguard this same area of operations. In April 1971, the 196th moved to Da Nang to assist in port security duties, and finally left Vietnam on 29 June 1972 as the last combat brigade to leave in Vietnam. The brigade suffered 1,188 KIA, and 5,591 WIA in Vietnam.
Operations as a separate Brigade (15 July 1966 – 25 September 1967)
Operations as a part of the Americal Division (25 September 1967 – June 1972)
Headquarters locations during the Vietnam War
ORDER OF BATTLE
Brigade Infantry & Brigade Artillery
Brigade Reconnaissance
Brigade Support
On 26 May 1998, the 196th was reactivated during a ceremony at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. The new brigade assists reserve units in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, American Samoa, and Japan, as a Training Support Brigade, providing support to Reserve Component Forces throughout the Pacific area.