Jumping Mustangs - Honor and Courage
Jumping Mustangs History
|
 The Core of the Battalion were 11th Air Assault members and developed most of our airmobile procedures while based
in Fort Benning, GA. The training was intense, dangerous and effective. History of the 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cavalry (1965-1966) AIRBORNE INFANTRY, AIR ASSAULT, AIRMOBILE  1ST AIRBORNE INFANTRY BRIGADE 1ST AIR CAVALRY DIVISION, AIRMOBILE (1965-1966)
|
"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 (non-airborne) 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 Gerrell 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 whatever 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 USNS 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 vanload 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 fantail, 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 shipside 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 U.S., 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 South China Sea Coast. It was here that we had our first Medal of Honor winner (second for the Division
in Vietnam) by David 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 the History.
Contact the webmaster
See HISTORY LINK under each of B Company and C Company, 1965-66 for and account of the classic battle of CRAZY
HORSE in 1966. (written 02-25-2000)
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.
13 Oct: Co A returns to Bn control
13 Jan-17 Feb 1966: Bn secured Hwy 19 from Mang Yang Pass to An Khe. Division Reserve. Extensive patrolling.
Streamer, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, WAEGWAN-TAEGU
Streamer, Republic of Korea, Presidential Unit Citation, KOREA
Streamer, Presidential Unit Citation, PLEIKU
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 have 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 Comanche's 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 troopers 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 1908, 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 Poncho 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.
WORLD 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
LTC Frank R. Vavrek
Sergeant Rock, Joe Musial
top of page
1st
Bn (ABN) 8th Cav (1965-1967)...
History is
being compiled and will be
posted as sections are completed.
SEE LINK TO 1/8 BN HISTORY
SEE LINK TO CRAZY HORSE ON B and C Co, 65-66
for
the classic Infantry Battle in 1966.
Prepared Feb. 25, 2000
All members are encouraged to prepare and
submit articles, which depict their Ft. Benning and
Vietnam experiences to the unit
historian.
The unit's
historical committee will review all articles
And
select those to be published on the
Jumping Mustang page and/or Bugle.