The Units section provides and overview of each unit directly assigned to the 11th Light Infantry Brigade. Our information comes from Shelby L. Stanton's Vietnam: Order of Battle Vietnam, plus invaluable information from our veterans that served the 11th Light Infantry Brigade. We welcome input from any who served any of these units. Comments and additional information should be sent to the Webmaster.
We also have a number of veterans who have sent us emails or Facebook messages telling us their units supported the 11th Light Infantry Brigade. While these units are not listed as being assigned to the 11th LIB, we have included them in the section for Headquarters. These units are:
Also included are two casualties from the 51st Infantry as DoD documentation lists them from the 11th LIB even though they were not directly assigned to the 11th LIB.
More information to substantiating these support units would be greatly appreciated. Please contact the Webmaster should you have any documented information. Thank you.
The HHC unit of this website houses units while not specially assigned to the 11th LIB, certainly supported the brigade.
The casualty lists for HHC also includes; 59th Scout Dog, Aviation Section and the 63rd Infantry Platoon CBT Tracker. Also included are two casualties from the 51st Infantry as DoD documentation lists them from the 11th LIB even though they were not directly assigned to the 11th LIB.
Company B, 23rd Medical Bn., also played a huge support role in the efforts of the units making up the 11th Brigade. Their unit motto, “So Others May Live”. There was also a Dust-Off unit attached to 23rd Med. that came to the aid of many severely wounded of the 11th Light Infantry Brigade.
If anyone has more information regarding the 59th Infantry Platoon, or platoon patche images, etc. and would like to share on this website, please contact the Webmaster
The 47th and 59th were formed at the same time at Fort Benning, Georgia in late January and early February of 1968. The members and the dogs were trained at the USAIC DOG TRAINING facility.
The 59th Infantry Counterfire Platoon was constituted in the Regular Army. After participating in the UN Summer Fall Offensive Campaign in Korea the unit was inactivated. The 59th Infantry Counterfire Platoon was redesignated as the 59th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog). This unit was a support unit to the 11th LIB.
The 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry was constituted March 3, 1791 in the Regular Army as a company of the 2nd Infantry. The unit has participated in the Indian Wars, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the War with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection, World War II, and was activated July, 1966 in Hawaii to be assigned to the 11th Infantry Brigade in the Vietnam Campaign.
The battalion arrived in-country on December 22, 1967 landing at the Port of Qui Nhon after a 16 day trip by troop ship from Hawaii. The battalion's base camp was located at Fire Support Base Bronco, next to village of Duc Pho, in the southern portion of South Vietnam's I Corps.
The unit was organized as a lightly equipped quick reaction unit which could move by any means of transportation to meet and defeat the enemy in any environment.
The battalion motto "Semper Primus, Always First" describes the spirit and determination that have always been associated with the unit.
Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry were awarded over 2,000 medals during 1969. Nearly 500 awards were given for valorous actions.
The 3rd battalion, 1st Infantry has received the distinguished Unit Citation, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and the Combat Infantry Streamer.
Source: The Americal Division, "under the southern cross" - published by the U.S. Army in 1971.
The Old Guard
The heraldry of the Old Guard is symbolic of its history and record. Based on precedents adopted as early as 1911, the shield contains a hill with a fortification at its summit in the national colors of Mexico, symbolic of service in the Mexican-American War of 1846-1847, as is the bandmaster's baton (called the Chapultepec Baton) on the far left corner. The three white Maltese crosses symbolize service in the American Civil War in the 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac. The 18th century military cocked hat symbolizes the antiquity of the unit. The bayonet is emblematic of the trust of the government in granting its oldest active Army unit the right to march with bayonets fixed. The motto, "Noli Me Tangere," meaning "Touch me Not," is shared with other older units. Major Charles K. Gardner of the 3d U.S. Infantry first suggested the practice of using letters of the alphabet to indicate companies in a regiment in 1816. The Infantry branch adopted the crossed rifles insignia in 1875.
Vietnam
Sykes Regulars
The 1st of the 20th was organized on 6 June 1862 at Fort Independence (Massachusetts), as the 2nd Battalion of the 11th Infantry, one of the nine "three-battalion" regiments of regulars, each battalion containing eight companies of infantry, in contrast to the original ten regular regiments of infantry, which were organized on the traditional ten-company line.The 20th Infantry was first lead by General George Sykes in the battle of Bull Run. Following the Civil War, the Army was reorganized by Congress in July 1866, and the 11th was divided into three regiments, each battalion receiving two additional companies and being organized along traditional lines. The 1st Battalion retained the designation of the 11th Infantry, while the 2nd Battalion became the 20th Infantry and the 3rd Battalion the 29th Infantry.
Vietnam
(Exerpts taken from the 1-20 Organization website)
The 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, "Sykes’ Regulars", was reactivated at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, on 1 July 1966 and assigned to the 11th Infantry Brigade. In May 1967, "Sykes’ Regulars" began amphibious training in preparation for Operation Coral Sands II, a joint forces amphibious operation to be conducted on the island of Molokai during the period of 1-10 August.
Immediately upon return to Schofield Barracks, "Sykes’ Regulars" began preparation for deployment to the Republic of Vietnam. In August of 1967, the Battalion was reorganized into a Light Infantry configuration. The organization of Delta and Echo Company would go into effect on the 15th of August.
Charlie Company 1st 20th Infantry was selected to provide security for the main body of the advance party. The advance party departed Hawaii by aircraft for the Republic of Vietnam on a phased schedule. The small group was sent on 28 November. On 4 December 1967 when the remainder advance party with personnel and equipment were airlifted to Da Nang (Personnel) and (Equipment) to Chu Lai and subsequently airlifted to Duc Pho. On 6 December 1967, the advance party moved to LZ Carenten to establish a temporary base camp next to LZ Bronco.
The main body of the battalion moved with the remainder of the 11th Light Infantry Brigade to Republic of Vietnam. The 11th Light Infantry Brigade shipped-out with 3rd Battalion 1st Infantry, 4th Battalion 3rd Infantry, 1st Battalion 20th Infantry, 6th Battalion 11th Artillery and 6th Support Battalion aboard the USS Gordon and USS Weigel, debarking at Qui Nhon on 19 and 22 December 1967. The 4th Battalion 21st Infantry remained in Hawaii to finish their training and will join the rest of the Brigade in April, 1968. The 1st Battalion 20th Infantry and rest of the 11th Light Infantry Brigade traveled by convoy to LZ Carentan, 65-Miles north. While at LZ Carentan, the battalion participated in an in-country training program in search and destroy operations, ambush techniques, destruction of fortifications and food caches, helicopter orientation, and combat assault training. " Sykes’ Regulars" then moved to its rear area at LZ Bronco and began combat operations in the Duc Pho Operation Champaign and later in Muscatine AO’s. On January 2, 1968 The 1st Battalion 20th Light Infantry, 11th Light Infantry Brigade had moved into and taken over the southern most Area of Operation from the 3rd Brigade 4th Infantry Division and began Combat Operations in Vietnam.
The 1st Battalion 20th Infantry took part of Operation Champaign. Charlie Company during January 21, 1968 to April 7, 1968 was OPCON to Task Force Barker working in the Muscatine Area of Operation. Alpha Company was OPCON to 4-3 Infantry, in 11th Brigade Operation Show Low, from March 7 to March 14, 1968 both companies played a major role in the Muscatine Area of Operation.
On March 20, 1968, "Sykes’ Regulars",minus Charlie Company, were placed under the operational control (OPCON) of the 196th Infantry Brigade to participate in Operation Wheeler/Wallowa, the longest running operation of the Vietnam War, north of Chu Lai fighting soldiers of the North Vietnamese Army in extremely rugged mountain terrain. Delta and Bravo Companies where OPCON to the 1st of 1st Calvary just south of Da Nang for 3-4 days. The 1-20 Infantry established their Area of Operation at LZ O’Connor in support of the 196th Infantry Operation Wheeler/Wallowa in the Que Son Valley western section.
On 8 April 1968, the unit was again returned to the control of the 11th Brigade for Operation Norfolk Victory, an offensive sweep in the mountainous, heavily forested terrain west of Nghia Hanh. Charlie Company from Task Force Barker also rejoined the Battalion for Operation Norfolk Victory as Task Force Barker Mission was completed with the arrival of the 4th Battalion 21 Infantry in the 11th Brigade Area of Operations. The rest of the 1st Battalion 20th Infantry immediately planned and conducted an air and motor move from LZ O’Connor to a staging area on LZ Dragon.
Operation Norfolk Victory has a major effect on further Operations in the 11th Infantry Area of Operations as the 11th Brigade began to shift from Body Count to taking away supply bases and Base Camps from main force NVA Units.
On 20 April 1968 the battalion was placed under the OPCON of the 196th and a short time 198th Infantry Brigade to again participate in Operation Wheeler/Wallowa north of Chu Lai.
Working out of LZ Ross and in the Que Son Valley in support of the Americal Division and the 198th Infantry Brigade. Major action in May, the 1st Battalion 20th Infantry Delta, Alpha and Bravo Companies supported the 1st Battalion 6th Infantry at LZ Center. In the Battle at Nui Hoac Ridge to its successful finish against the 2nd NVA Division, the Battalion had units involved in constant contact from May 5, 1968 to May 18, 1968. The 1st Battalion 20 Infantry had established their Area of Operation with LZ Ross being the Battalion Headquarters and during the Battle for Nui Hoac Ridge where Delta, Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Companies where OPCON to the 1st Battalion 6th Infantry. The 1st Battalion 20th Infantry operated with one Company from 3rd Battalion 1st Infantry, 4th Battalion 3rd Infantry and 4th Battalion 21st Infantry until the Battalion Companies returned from OPCON to the 1st Battalion 6th Infantry.
On 14 June 1968, the unit returned to control of the 11th Infantry Brigade for Operation Champaign again fighting mostly Viet Cong insurgents, "Skyes’Regulars" killed 151, wounded 20, captured 11 and apprehended 191 VC suspects.
On 15 September 1968, the 1-20th Infantry moved into the Ha Thanh area for Operation Champaign Grove against fresh NVA troops.
On 7 October 1968, "Sykes’ Regulars" started Operation Logan Field, the unit, supported by elements of Delta Battery, 6-11th Artillery, Company C, 26th Engineers, 1-1st Calvary and a platoon of National Police Field Forces along with units of the 2nd ARVN Division which acted as a blocking force.
Operation Vernon Lake II became the objective of the 1-20th Infantry on 2 November 1968. The unit supported by elements of Company D, 6-11th Artillery, 174 Assault Helicopter Company, and 132nd Aviation Company began combat operations, working out of LZ Cork. The area was known to be a stronghold of the 3rd NVA Division.
MISSION: 11th Inf. Brigade realigned forces in the Duc Pho AO and employed ground forces in the DA VACH Mountains and subsequently in the Song Re and Song Ve Valleys to find, fix and destroy (elements of) the 3d NVA Division. CONCEPT OF OPERATION: The concept of operation for Vernon Lake II was to combat assault two Infantry Battalions into the DA VACH Mountains, establish two fire support bases (FSB CORK and FSB AMY) from which extensive Recon in Force and multiple combat assault operations could be conducted in the surrounding mountains and valleys to interdict the movement of the 3d NVA Division and destroy their base camps. The length of the operation and commitments in other parts of the 11th Brigade Area of Operation, at times, necessitated the increasing or decreasing of the forces available to support the concept. But the original concept of operation was maintained throughout the operation. At 071200 Dec 1968, Task Force COOKSEY was inactivated. The operation continued under the Brigade Commanding Officer, and Task Force Headquarters became Brigade FWD. The 3-1st Infantry request to Americal Division for termination of Operation VERNON LAKE II on Feb 28, 1969. On 12 January 1969 Colonel Hershel E. Chapman assumed command of the 1st Battalion 20th Infantry.
The "Sykes’ Regulars" then engaged in Operation Iron Mountain. By the end of July 1969 the major units of the 3rd NVA Division operations in the Duc Pho and Mo Duc Area of Operation was cut back greatly and the Pacification Programs began to start taking hold.
Beginning the period 11 October 1970, through 7 December 1970, was TASK FORCE HONJID. During the three days of this operation, which was conducted in the Song VE Valley in western Mo Duc District.
On 22 November 1970, Operation Surge was put into effect using a fast action technique, a sweeping operation conducted by U. S. ground and intelligence units of the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry and South Vietnamese.
1st Battalion 20th Infantry opened LZ Vanguard in defense of the Special Forces Camp at Minh Long and later LZ Custer. The 1st Battalion 20th Infantry closed their military operations OPCON to the 198th Infantry working in the Que Son Valley Western Section at LZ Siberia and LZ West and then Air Moved to Chu Lai to close out their Military Operations on Oct 4, 1971.
Gimlet
The 21st Infantry Regiment was constituted in the Regular Army as the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment on 3 May 1861. The battalion was organized at Fort Hamilton, NY on 20 May 1862. In 1866 the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry was reorganized and redesignated as the 21st Infantry Regiment. Known as the "Gimlet" regiment, the 21st Infantry has steadfastly and gallantly lived by its motto of "Duty" while serving the United States in the Civil War, the Indian Wars, the21st Infantry War with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Panama Expedition and the War on Terrorism. In recognition of its accomplishments the 21st Infantry Regiment has earned two Presidential Unit Citations, two Valorous Unit Awards, a US Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, a US Navy Unit Commendation and 56 campaign streamers.
On 1 November 1967 the 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry was again activated at Schofield Barracks to serve as the fourth maneuver battalion for the 11th Light Infantry Brigade already in Vietnam. The 4th Battalion arrived in Vietnam on 14 April 1968. Based at Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province, the 4th Battalion operated primarily in that region during the three plus years it was in Vietnam. The Duc Pho area was known as a rice bowl and it was fiercely fought over, with the 4th Battalion conducting numerous operations that significantly contributed to preventing the 3rd North Vietnamese Division and local Viet Cong forces from seizing this vital area. The 4th Battalion also operated in Quang Tin Province west of Tam Ky and at Dong Ha. From 15 February 1969 to 28 June 1971 the 4th Battalion was assigned to the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal). It was west of Tam Ky in Quang Tin Province on 26th August 1968 that Staff Sergeant Nicky Bacon of Company B, 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry earned the Medal of Honor. When two platoon leaders became casualties, SSG Bacon assumed command and led successful assaults against an enemy bunker and a machine gun nest, personally killing four Viet Cong at close range. He then climbed on the exposed deck of a tank and gave fire support to the rescue of trapped wounded and the elimination of the last enemy resistance. The 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry departed Vietnam on 28 June 1971 having participated in eight Vietnam campaigns and earning two awards of the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. The 4th Battalion was inactivated that same date at Fort Lewis WA. They arrived in country on April 14th 1968, Bravo company was led by Captain David Treadwell and was based out of Duc Pho, when in on Stand downs from the Bloody Jungle Floors of Nam in the I Corp, they would stand down at LZ Baldy, or Bronco, Charlie Brown, and many more, Bravo company was hit hard but hit the NVA alot harder in the last of August of 68 in TAM KY.
E Troop, 1st Cavalry was first constituted March 2, 1833 as Company E, United States Regiment of Dragoons. The unit has participated in the Mexican War, the Indian Wars, the Civil War, the War with Spain, World War II, and Vietnam. On December 6, 1967, E Troop, 1st Cavalry, departed Hawaii aboard the USS General William Weigel for the Republic of Vietnam. E Troop joined the 11th Infantry Brigade 19 December 1967 and was colocated with the brigade headquarters in Vietnam. The unit's mission is to provide security and perform reconnaissance for the 11th Infantry Brigade and to engage in offensive, defensive, or delaying action as an economy of force unit. In the Spring of 1969, E Troop received nine M551 Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicles, and since then E Troop has been employed as an armor unit and has been engaged primarily in security missions. Though somewhat limited in mobility by the terrain in the 11th Brigade's area of operation, E Troop has proved the value of armor-protected firepower on repeated occasions. E Troop departed Vietnam 18 October 1971.
The 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery was originally organized on June 1, 1917 in the Regular Army at Douglas, Arizona as Battery F, 11th Field Artillery. In November of that year it was assigned to the 6th Division. In March 1921 the unit was reassigned to the Hawaiian Division. It stayed with the Hawaiian Division until October 1941 , when it moved from beautiful Hawaii to Korea and was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division. During World War II, this artillery unit participated in five major battle campaigns and during the Korean Conflict, the 6th Battalion of the 11th Artillery participated in eight major campaigns. The hard-fighting 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery made itself known all over the world, earning the Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (PYONGTAEK), and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (KOREA).
Turmoil in Southeast Asia sent the battalion to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii in March, 1967. After the completion of training, the main body of the 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery arrived in Vietnam on December 19, 1967 as an organic unit of the 11th Infantry Brigade. From the time of arrival in the Republic of Vietnam the men of the "On Time" 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery have taken part in six major campaigns.
Wars are won by teamwork -- Artillery and Infantry are a winning combination; so is the 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery and the men of the 11th Infantry Brigade. Hawaii And Vietnam 6th Battalion 11th Brigade Light Field Artillery
The 6th/11th Artillery has over 8,000 photos posted from Hawaii to Vietnam.
Source: The Americal Division, "under the southern cross" - published by the U.S. Army in 1971.
The 6th Support Battalion arrived in Vietnam 19 December 1967 from their previous station in Hawaii. They departed Vietnam 15 February 1969. The 6th Support Battalion was the brigade level supply, direct support and general support maintenance, medical service and miscellaneous services for all assigned or attached elements of the brigade. The battalion was organized with four companies; A Company Administration, B Company Maintenance, C Company Supply/Service and D Company Medical. The 6th Support BN was reorganized when the 11th BDE changed to light infantry, while still in Hawaii. The BN then was A Co (Admin), B Co (Maint and Supply), C Co (Med). The 6th Support Battalion provided support for the 11th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam.
Information from the Vietnam Order of Battle, Shelby L Stanton.
The Cleared Oaks - Never Forget Them
Organized 31 December 1861 in the Regular Army at Washington, D.C., from new and existing companies of engineers as a provisional engineer battalion (constituted 28 July 1866 as the Battalion of Engineers). Expanded 14 March-7 June 1901 to form the 1st and 2d Battalions of Engineers (2d Battalion of Engineers--hereafter separate lineage) 1st Battalion of Engineers expanded, reorganized, and redesignated 1 July 1916 as the 1st Engineer Regiment 1st Regiment of Engineers expanded 15 May 1917 to form the 1st, 6th, and 7th Regiments of Engineers (1st and 7th Regiments of Engineers--hereafter separate lineages) 6th Regiment of Engineers redesignated 29 August 1917 as the 6th Engineers Assigned 1 October 1917 to the 3d Division Regiment broken up 12 October 1939 and its elements reorganized and redesignated as follows:
The above information was taken from the US Military Linage and Honors website.
The 52nd MID was formed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii in the late summer and early fall of 1967. Attached to the 11th Infantry Brigade, the detachmentmilIntel52 deployed to Vietnam with the Brigade on 6 December 1967. Most of the detachment shipped out aboard the USS Weigle arriving in Qui Nhon harbor on 22 December. First located at LZ Carentan then moving into LZ Bronco to replace elements of the 4th Infantry Division. The detachment provided intelligence support to the Brigade and its Battalions in the form of local source recruitment, counter intelligence, prisoner interrogation and photo reconnaissance interpretation.
The detachment formed under the leadership of Major Robert G. Fetcher who later transferred command to Captain Albert Labriola.
The detachment’s sources of information proved instrumental in locating VC cashes of food and weapons.
Of those that served this unit, one casualty is recorded.
Vietnam - 52nd Mil Intel Roster
Information for this page supplied by: Norm Klym
Formally the 6th Engineer Co.
The 26th Engineer Battalion (Combat) was constituted as a unit of the Regular Army on December 1, 1954 and on December 2, 1954 was activated as an element of the 23rd Infantry Division at Fort Clayton, Canal Zone. At that time, the Battalion was composed of Company A which was organized February 1, 1945 as the 2920th Dump Truck Company, Company B and Headquarters Company, the initial organization for each, and Company C which was organized on April 7, 1944 as the 406th Engineer Combat Company. The 26th Engineer Battalion (Combat) was inactivated on April 10, 1956.
On December 8, 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam, the 26th Engineer Battalion (Combat) was again activated as the organic combat engineer battalion of the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal).
The 26th Engineer Battalion is composed of four Combat Engineer line companies, a Float Bridge Company, and a Headquarters and Headquarters Company. Company A was formerly the 175th Engineer Company, organic to the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. Its headquarters is now at Fire Support Base Hawk Hill in direct support of the 196th Infantry Brigade. Company B was the 555th Engineer Company, organic to the 198th Light Infantry, and Company C was formerly the 6th Engineer Company, 11th Light Infantry Brigade. Charlie Co. 26th Engineers Combat Company B continued its direct engineer support to the 198th Infantry Brigade with headquarters at Landing Zone Bayonet. Company C remained with the 11th Infantry Brigade at Fire Support Base Bronco in Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam. Company D was formed primarily from elements of Company B, 39th Engineer Battalion (Combat) which was attached to the Americal Division at the time of activation. The 554th Engineer Company (Float Bridge) was transferred from the 39th Engineer Battalion (combat) and redesignated Company E, 26th Engineer Battalion (Combat). Headquarters Company was formed from elements of the USARV Engineer Command.
Source: the Americal Division, "Under the Southern Cross" - published by the U.S. Army in 1971.
Bruce Flaherty now has flags flown over the capitol and certificates for each of the families of all 289 KIA’s that served the 4th/3rd Infantry in Vietnam. His plan is to locate the families and provide them the flag and certificate, his reason is simple, to let the families know that their loved one is not forgotten.
While the 11th Light Infantry Brigade does not presently have a formal association, we do have a very active Facebook page. This page is a private Facebook Group page and you must request to join. When you request to join, you are sent a message with questions regarding unit or unit that supported the brigade, and when served or relative's information that served. If you do not respond within 14 days your request will be deleted. You will find the page listed as U S ARMY 11th Light Infantry Brigade
The 11th LIB served under the Americal Division (23rd Infantry Division). Americal has a very active association, the Americal Division Veterans Association. Eligible veterans are cordially invited and welcomed to join the Americal Division Veterans Association. The association was formed in 1945 and currently has over 3,000 members. Associate memberships are also available. Membership cost is minimal. We encourage you to check out the ADVA.
For information contact:
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11th Light Infantry Brigade - Vietnam
December 1967 to November 1971
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