6th Cavalry Regiment
6th Cavalry Regiment | |
---|---|
Aerial Reconnaissance, Combat search and rescue | |
Garrison/HQ | Multiple battalions on different bases |
Nickname(s) | Fighting Sixth[1] |
Motto(s) | Ducit Amor Patriae (Led By Love of Country) |
Colors | Blue Yellow |
Engagements |
|
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Charles E. Canedy Samuel H. Starr |
Insignia | |
Regimental distinctive insignia | ![]() |
Former shoulder sleeve insignia | ![]() |
U.S. Cavalry Regiments | |||
|
The 6th Cavalry ("Fighting Sixth'")
History
American Civil War (1861-1865)
The
During the Battle of Fredericksburg, the 6th Cavalry sent a squadron across the pontoon bridge over the Rappahannock River in order to reconnoiter the enemy positions. The Confederate's infantry line was developed, and the squadron withdrew after receiving fire from an enemy artillery battery, losing 2 men and 8 horses wounded. After reporting this information to General Ambrose Burnside, the Union commander, the regiment was withdrawn to Falmouth, where it remained encamped until 13 April 1863. The 6th was one of the Union cavalry regiments that participated in Stoneman's 1863 raid, and during the action, LT Tupper and 10 troopers managed to capture General J. E. B. Stuart's chief quartermaster.
On 9 June 1863, the 6th Cavalry fought in the Battle of Brandy Station after crossing the Rappahannock River. During this famous engagement, the regiment charged the Confederates and lost 4 officers and 63 men killed, wounded, or captured out of 254 engaged. Charging the Confederate guns, LT Madden was hit by an exploding shell, and LT Kerin was captured when the regiment began reforming from the charge. The troopers were moved to the extreme right of the line in order to repulse a Confederate flank attack and charged into the action. Here, LT Ward was killed, and LT Stroll was wounded. LT Stroll was fired upon as he fell and the soldiers who attempted to bear him away were shot down by rebel gunfire. The 6th was to be rear guard of the retiring Union force, and, led by LT Tupper, it checked the enemy at every stop and prevented the harassment of the column. This was one of the most serious cavalry actions of the war, and the 6th lost a quarter of its troopers.
Battle of Fairfield
During the

"The fight made at Fairfield by this small regiment (6th U.S. Cavalry) against two of the crack brigades of Stuart's cavalry, which were endeavoring to get around the flank the Union army to attack the (supply) trains, was one of the most gallant in its history and no doubt helped influence the outcome the battle of Gettysburg. The efforts of these rebel brigades were frustrated and their entire strength neutralized for the day by the fierce onslaught of the small squadrons. The regiment was cut to pieces, but it fought so well that the squadrons were regarded as the advance of a large body of troops. The senior officer of those attacking CSA brigades was later adversely criticized for allowing his command to be delayed by such an inferior force. Had the regiment not made the desperate stand, the two brigades of Virginians might have caused grave injury in the Federal rear, before sufficient force could have been gathered in their front."[4]
Private George Crawford Platt, later Sergeant, an Irish immigrant serving in Troop H, was awarded the Medal of Honor on 12 July 1895, for his actions that day at Fairfield. His citation reads, "Seized the regimental flag upon the death of the standard bearer in a hand-to-hand fight and prevented it from falling into the hands of the enemy."
His "commander," Lieutenant Carpenter, of Troop H, was one of only three officers of the 6th U.S. Cavalry to escape from the deadly melee at Fairfield. He was an eyewitness and documented Private Platt's "beyond the call of duty" behavior that day.
Post-Gettysburg
Shortly after the Battle of Fairfield, the regiment made a reconnaissance of
On 27 February, the 6th Cavalry broke camp from its winter quarters and engaged the Confederate Army on 30 March 1865 at the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House in Dinwiddie County. Here, the men of the 6th held out against repeated enemy attacks until their ammunition was exhausted, and during their withdrawal, Confederate troops captured a LT Nolan and 15 6th Cavalry troopers.[2] On 1 April 1865, at the Battle of Five Forks near Petersburg, the 6th Cavalry wheeled to the right of the enemy's positions and advanced until sunset when the battle was won. The regiment then began a pursuit of the retreating enemy and participated in the Battle of Sailor's Creek near Farmville, resulting in the capture of roughly 7,000 Confederate prisoners. During this battle, the 6th was ordered to capture a series of log huts. Some of the men in the ranks hesitated; they were cautious and wary of death so close to the perceived end of the war, but LT McClellan, a veteran of the antebellum Army, turned and exclaimed, "Men, let us die like soldiers!" Soon the troopers charged under heavy fire and took the log huts with the loss of three wounded.[2]
At the Battle of Appomattox Court House in Appomattox County on 9 April 1865, the 6th charged at a gallop on the enemy's left flank, but were met with a white flag of surrender.[2] Soon after (at 4 p.m. that day), the rest of Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia would surrender, precipitating the end of the Confederacy and the American Civil War. According to the US Army Center of Military History, "The records of casualties during the Rebellion show seven officers killed, 53 men killed in action and 53 other deaths; 122 wounded in action and 17 by accident; 438 missing, most of these being captured at Fairfield and in other charges,—making a total of 689 enlisted men."[2]
Reconstruction
After the fighting stopped in April 1865, came the
There was little or no fighting during the state of
On 12 July 1870, CPT Curwen B. McClellan led a detachment of 53 troopers on a patrol from Fort Richardson when they came into contact with a large force of 250 Kiowa warriors under Chief Kicking Bird at the Little Wichita River. 6th Cavalry historians note how the Indians charged and fought bravely at close range. Chief Kicking Bird personally killed CPL John Given with a lance thrust.[8] Despite being outnumbered, CPT McClellan was able to retreat to safety after killing 15 Kiowa and wounding many more, and losing 2 men killed and 9 wounded.[2]
Red River War


In 1871, the regiment was transferred to the
On 1 December, CPT
Apache Wars
In 1875, the 6th Cavalry marched south to relieve the 5th Cavalry Regiment in Arizona, and the various Troops were sent across the territory to occupy forts and patrol the area in search of hostile Apaches.[2] On 9 January 1876, A and D Troops, posted at Fort Apache, were the first of the 6th Cavalry to engage the Apache. One Indian was killed, five were captured, and the others were driven away. In the spring and summer of 1876, the entire 6th Cavalry Regiment went into the field to move the Chiricahua onto the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. There was a small engagement on 10 April, but the majority of the Indians were moved onto reservation land. However, many of the warriors fled to the mountains and continued a guerrilla war from there.[2] The cavalry continued to occupy forts and patrol the Arizona Territory and fought recorded engagements against the Apache on 15 August, and 5 October 1876. In January 1877, LT John A. Rucker led a detachment of Troopers from Troops H and L overtook an Apache band in the Pyramid Mountains, New Mexico on 9 January 1877. They killed 10 Indians, and captured 1, along with their entire herd, weapons and ammunition supply, stolen goods from settlers, and $1,200 in Mexican silver.[2] Capt. Whitside and two Troops of the 6th Cav founded Fort Huachuca, SE of Tucson, in March 1877.
On 20 August 1877, several bands of renegade Apaches crossed into Arizona from Mexico, and elements of the 6th Cavalry were deployed to stop them. After tracking the war party through rough country bereft of water, the troopers found that the trail went into the land of the San Carlos Reservation. The detachment commander sent a telegram asking permission to enter the land, but the troopers were forced to act before a response was given. The Warm Springs Indians, or the Chíhéne, attempted a breakout from the reservation, and CPT Tupper led Troop G with elements of B, H, L, and M on a rapid pursuit. Between 9–10 September, a series of running gun battles left 12 Indians killed and 13 wounded, and the rest were returned to reservation land.[2] Smaller encounters happened on 13 and 18 December 1877, and 7 January and 5 April 1878. While patrolling near the Mexican border, a flash flood swept away LT Henely, so LT Rucker plunged in with his horse in order to save his classmate and friend, only to be swept away himself. The death by drowning of these two officers was universally lamented by the regiment, and by the people of Arizona, who knew them well.[2] The regiment continued to patrol the territory despite the loss of these officers, and engaged the Indians in minor battles until 1880.[2]
While scouting in the
In the summer of 1881, Troops D and E along with a company of Apache Scouts were led by General Eugene Asa Carr in the Battle of Cibecue Creek. In this battle, the Apache Scouts revolted and turned on the cavalrymen and in the fierce fight CPT Hentig along with 6 men were killed, and 2 wounded, but the Apache medicine man, Nock-ay-det-klinne, was killed as well. The troopers were forced to withdraw, but they had completed the expedition's goal. When the command returned to Fort Apache on 1 September, they found it to be under attack, and in the following Battle of Fort Apache, the Indians were driven off for the loss of three soldiers wounded.[11] The White Mountain Apaches surrendered to the Agency shortly after. The year of 1881 was a time of hard scouting in the Arizona and New Mexico deserts and canyons, chasing elusive bands of renegade Apaches, with little reward, until April 1882.
On 28 April 1882, CPTs Tupper and Rafferty led 39 Troopers from G and M Troops, along with 45 Apache Scouts across the Mexican border to the
Throughout the rest of 1882 and 1883, the 6th Cavalry was constantly scouting and on guard against the Chiricahua raids from south of the border. In March 1883, GEN Crook took I Troop under CPT Adna Chaffee on an expedition to the
An 1887 letter from Charles Winters, Troop D of the 6th Cavalry, describes a soldier's experiences during the Apache Wars in New Mexico:

Dear Friend!
I will now take and write to you a few lines, to let you know that I am yet alive, and doing well. I joint(sic) the Army in January, 86 and had a good fight with Geronimo and his Indians. I also had two hard fights, where i came very near getting killed, but i got true alright. I was made Corporal when i first enlisted, but have now got high enough to be in Charge of Troop D. 6th U.S. Cavalry and it requires a good man for to get that office, and that is more than i expected. Charley White from Cranbury came out with me and got in the same Troop with me, and I sent him with twenty more men out on a Scout after Indians and Charley was lucky enough to be shot down by Indians the first day, and only three of my men returned. I was very sorry but it could not be helped.
The Territory of New Mexico is a very nice place never no Winter and lots of Gold and Silver Mines all around but for all that it is a disagreeable place on account of so many Indians. I like it first rate and I think as soon as my five years are up I will go bak(sic) to Old New Jersey but not today. My name isn't Charley Winters no more since i shot that man at Jefferson Barracks when he tried to get away from me. My Captain at time told me to take the name of his son who died and so my name since then is Charles H. Wood. I will now close and hope that you will soon write and let me know how you are getting along. Give my best regards to all and to yourself and oblige.
Charlie Winters.
My address is:
Charles H. Wood
Troop D. 6th Cavalry
Fort Stanton, New Mexico
Ghost Dance War
Duty in the deserts of the Arizona and New Mexico Territory was broken in 1890 with the beginning of the
Johnson County War

In 1889, the
Spanish–American War

In 1898, the

Upon returning home, the various 6th Cavalry troops spread out across the nation, and F Troop was even sent as far as
Boxer Rebellion
In 1900, the 6th Cavalry Regiment was part of the International
The Philippines
Shortly after campaigning in China, the 6th Cavalry was sent to the
Vic Hurley, an American author who was a member of the Philippine Constabulary, wrote the book Jungle Patrol in 1938, arguing that Colonel Alexander Rodgers of the 6th Cavalry Regiment (brother of Thomas S. Rodgers) had implemented the strategy of mass graves and pig entrails:[15][16]
It was Colonel Alexander Rodgers of the 6th Cavalry who accomplished by taking advantage of religious prejudice what the bayonets and Krags had been unable to accomplish. Rodgers inaugurated a system of burying all dead juramentados in a common grave with the carcasses of slaughtered pigs. The Mohammedan religion forbids contact with pork; and this relatively simple device resulted in the withdrawal of juramentados to sections not containing a Rodgers. Other officers took up the principle, adding new refinements to make it additionally unattractive to the Moros. In some sections the Moro juramentado was beheaded after death and the head sewn inside the carcass of a pig. And so the rite of running juramentado, at least semi-religious in character, ceased to be in Sulu. The last cases of this religious mania occurred in the early decades of the century. The juramentados were replaced by the amucks. ... who were simply homicidal maniacs with no religious significance attaching to their acts.
Mexico and World War I
The
The respite would not last long however, as the United States entered
Interwar period
The 6th Cavalry arrived at the port of
World War II
Once America became involved in the war after the
Brittany to Belgium
One squadron would fulfill the duties of the AIS, while the other, in conjunction with the associated parts of the AIS squadron not needed for that role (the tank company and assault gun troop), would serve as a security force for the Army headquarters and "hip pocket" reserve for the Army commander.
While continuing to provide reconnaissance and security for Third Army units during the
During the month of October, rain and mud slowed AIS communications by hindering the mobility of motorcycle and Jeep couriers. In response, the 6th MCG used carrier pigeons beginning 8 October. Although slower than motorized vehicles, the birds provided a useful alternative when radio communications failed.
The Battle of the Bulge
TF Fickett was forced to leave the 5th Ranger BN behind as they moved North on
On 2 January, the 28th SQDN was attached to the
Advance into Germany
On 20 January 1945, 28th SQDN relieved the 26th ID and promptly seized a bridgehead over the
On 5 March, the 6th MCG was sent to protect VIII Corps' Northern flank. Here they assisted the
On 11 April, Third Army began advancing toward
The 6th Mechanized Cavalry Group's exemplary service during the Second World War acting as Army level reconnaissance led to their deserved nickname; "Patton's Household Cavalry." The Regiment would not go home immediately after the war, however, and it remained as part of the United States Constabulary in West Berlin until 1957.[19]
Cold War
On 20 December 1948, the former 6th Cavalry Regiment was reorganized and redesignated as the 6th Armored Cavalry. The regiment returned to the United States from Germany in 1957 during
The lineage of the former Troop A, 6th Armored Cavalry was redesignated on 22 June 1973 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry, assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, and activated at Fort Hood, Texas. The lineage of the former Troop B, 6th Armored Cavalry was redesignated on 1 July 1974 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry, and activated at Fort Knox, Kentucky (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated). Members of 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry,
In the summer of 1974, the Army decided to implement one of the recommendations of the
On 15 December 1995, the 1st Squadron was inactivated at Fort Hood, and the 4th Squadron was also inactivated in late 1995. Thus only the 3rd Squadron remained at Fort Hood. By this time the 6th, through activations and inactivations, had long since transitioned from armor to aviation. The 1st Squadron was reactivated in July 1996 in Korea.
On 16 July 1986, four days after becoming the first unit to receive the AH-64A Apache helicopter, the 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry reactivated and reflagged as the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry. The 3-6 CAV call sign "Heavy Cav" draws on the 7-17 CAV lineage. Following the 7-17 CAV’s return from a distinguished tour in Vietnam, it became the United States Army's only Attack Helicopter Squadron with more AH-1 Cobras than any other unit. This lent itself to the name "Heavy Cav" which was subsequently adopted by 3-6 CAV as their call sign. The squadron served with distinction at Fort Hood from 1986 to 1996.[26]
In December 1996, 3-6 CAV received orders to deploy to the Republic of Korea. Several months later, the squadron, consisting of 24 Apaches, stood ready to fight at Camp Humphreys, Korea. Assigned to the Eighth United States Army, its mission was to provide a screening force on the peninsula's Western coast. In May 2002 the unit was transferred, less personnel and equipment, to Fort Hood, TX in order to be outfitted with the AH-64D. On 15 June 2006, the 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry was inactivated and its personnel reflagged as the 4th Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, assigned to the Combat Aviation Brigade, 2d Infantry Division.[26]
War on terrorism
In February 2003 2nd and 6th Squadrons were deployed to
On 4 January 2005 2nd Squadron deployed from Germany to Afghanistan absorbing elements from other units to become Task Force Sabre.
In 2005 and 2006 as a part of the Army Transformation, squadrons of the regiment were again reorganized, as the Army eliminated from its rolls those
- 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry – 1st Infantry Division – Fort Riley, Kansas
- 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry – 25th Infantry Division (Light) – Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
- 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry – 7th Infantry Division – Fort Lewis, Washington
- 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry – 10th Mountain Division (LI) – Fort Drum, New York
In 2006, 2nd Squadron deployed with its parent unit, the Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, from Wheeler Army Airfield to Iraq. The squadron was recognized with the Order of Daedalians' 2006 Brig. Gen. Carl I. Hutton Memorial Award for their safety record in preparation for the deployment.[28] The Squadron returned to Hawaii in 2007 having lost only one aircrew to hostile fire.
In 2007, 1st Squadron and 4th Squadron deployed to Iraq. The squadrons along with 1st Squadron's parent brigade, the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, replaced 2nd Squadron and its parent brigade. 4th Squadron returned to Fort Lewis during August and September 2008. In October 2008, 1st Squadron began to return to Fort Carson, being replaced by 6th Squadron. 6th Squadron has now taken over operations in Iraq with its parent brigade, the Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).
From August 2015 to April 2016 3-6 CAV deployed to the Middle East in support of Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve. The 3-6 CAV served with distinction during this deployment, to include selection as the 2015 Department of the Army LTG Ellis D. Parker Award Winner in the Combat Category and the Overall Best Aviation Battalion in the Army.[26]
Modernization
On 16 March 2015, the 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, was activated at Fort Bliss, Texas, and assigned to the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division. Again, 3rd Battalion, 6th Cavalry was established as the Army's first heavy attack reconnaissance squadron formed as part of the 2015 Army Aviation Restructuring Initiative. This reconfiguration assigned three AAI RQ-7 Shadow unarmed drone platoons to the battalion's 24 AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopters.
Current status
1st Squadron is the attack-reconnaissance squadron of the 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade, stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas.
2nd Squadron is the attack-reconnaissance squadron of the 25th Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade, stationed at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.
3rd Squadron activated March 2015 as the attack-reconnaissance squadron of the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade, stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. It operates both AH-64D manned attack helicopters and RQ-7 Shadows drones.[29] The unit was reflagged from 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment.
- Washington. On 14 August 2014, 4-6 CAV cased its colors as part of the transition from OH-58Ds to AH-64s & RQ-7 Shadows. The unit that reflagged and became 4-6 CAV was 1st Battalion 25th Attack/Reconnaissance Battalion In December 2016 4-6 CAV deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.[30]The Squadron was recognized as the 2017 Army Aviation Association of America "Army Aviation Unit of the Year" (Battalion).
- .
Lineage

- Constituted 4 May 1861 in the Regular Army as the 3d Cavalry Regiment[31]
- Regiment (except Companies A & B) organized 18 June 1861 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Company A organized June–October 1861 in District of Columbia
- Redesignated 3 August 1861 as the 6th Cavalry Regiment
- Company B organized 16 August 1861 at Camp Scott, Pennsylvania
- Cavalry companies officially redesignated as troops in 1883.
- Assigned 15 August 1927 to the 3d Cavalry Division, and stationed at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.
- A Troop consolidated 14 October 1929 with Troop D, 6th Cavalry Regiment, (organized in 1861) and consolidated unit designated as Troop A, 6th Cavalry Regiment.
- Relieved 1 December 1939 from assignment to the 3rd Cavalry Division, and moved by Road March to Fort Benning, Georgia on 11 April 1940.
- Regiment moved from Fort Benning by road 5 March May 1940 to Alexandria, Louisiana, and arrived on 8 May 1940.
- Regiment departed Alexandria, Louisiana on 27 May 1940 via Road March, and arrived at Fort Oglethorpe 30 May 1940.
- Regiment retraced their steps to Alexandria, Louisiana on 13 August 1940, and arrived 21 August 1940.
- Regiment road marched to Ragley, Louisiana on 26 July 1941, and arrived on 1 October 1941.
- Regiment road marched to Chester, South Carolina on 6 November 1941, and arrived 1 December 1941. Regiment immediately returned to Fort Oglethorpe.
- Regiment performed its last road march as a horse cavalry unit when it left Fort Oglethorpe, and moved to Camp Blanding, Florida on 18 February 1942.
- Regiment reorganized and redesignated 21 July 1942 as the 6th Cavalry Regiment, Mechanized. Troop B reorganized and redesignated as Troop E, 6th Cavalry, Mechanized.
- Regiment moved by road march to Fort Jackson on 2 November 1942.
- Regiment moved again by road march to Fort Oglethorpe on 16 April 1943.
- Regiment participated in Maneuvers at Lebanon, Tennessee from 18 April 1943 to 20 June 1943, and then road marched to Fort Jackson.
- Regiment staged at Camp Shanks, New York from 8 October 1943 until 12 October 1943, when they deployed from the New York Port of Embarkation for England.
- Regiment arrived in Tanderagee, Northern Ireland on 18 October 1943, where they prepared to reorganize for their D-Day assignment.
- Regiment broken up 1 January 1944 and its elements reorganized and redesignated as follows:
6th Cavalry group
- Headquarters and Headquarters Troop reorganized and redesignated on 1 January 1944 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Cavalry Group, Mechanized with 6th and 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons attached.
- Group landed in France on 9 July 1944, when they were assigned to the Third Armyas "Patton’s Household Cavalry".
- Group was recommitted to combat near St. Avold, France on 1 December 1944
- Group entered Luxembourg on 31 December 1944 to locate German forces at or near Bastogne.
- Group encountered German forces between the 26th infantry Division and 35th Infantry Division in the lintage-Saar area, where it remained until 13 January 1945.
- Group entered Germany on 25 February 1945 with VIII Corps, and attacked through Bauler, Waxweiler, and Lasel; mopped up along the Berlin Autobahn; and protected VIII Corps' southern flank.
- Group was located at Sonnenberg, Germany on 14 August 1945
- Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Cavalry Group, Mechanized, converted and redesignated 1 May 1946 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Constabulary Regiment.
- Redesignated 2 February 1948 as Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Troop, 6th Constabulary Regiment
- Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Troop, 6th Constabulary Regiment converted and redesignated 20 December 1948 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Troop A, 6th Constabulary Squadron Converted and redesignated as Company A, 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Former Troop D, 6th Cavalry, concurrently withdrawn from Company A, 6th Armored Cavalry – hereafter separate lineage)
6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized
- 1st Squadron reorganized and redesignated on 1 January 1944 as the 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized. Troop E, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, Mechanized Reorganized and redesignated as Troop F, 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized. Regiment remained attached to 6th Cavalry Group, but was moved to Gilford, Northern Ireland for deployment training.
- Squadron moved to England on 13 May 1944.
- Squadron landed in France on 10 July 1944.
- Squadron entered Luxembourg on 25 December 1944.
- Squadron entered Belgium on 28 December 1944.
- Squadron entered Germany on 23 February 1945.
- Squadron was at Hildburghausen, Germany on 14 August 1945.
- 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, converted and redesignated 1 May 1946 as the 6th Constabulary Squadron. Troop F converted and redesignated as Troop E, 6th Constabulary Squadron.
- 6th Constabulary Squadron, converted and redesignated 20 December 1948 as the 1st Battalion, 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Troop E converted and redesignated as Company B, 6th Armored Cavalry.
28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron
- 2nd Squadron reorganized and redesignated on 1 January 1944 as the 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized. Squadron remained attached to the 6th Cavalry Group, and moved to Gilford, Northern Ireland for deployment training.
- Squadron moved to England on 13 May 1944.
- Squadron deployed to France on 10 July 1944.
- Squadron entered Luxembourg on 24 December 1944, and moved on to Belgium the same day.
- Squadron entered Germany on 24 February 1945
- Squadron was at Sonnenberg, Germany on 14 August 1945.
- 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, converted and redesignated 1 May 1946 as the 28th Constabulary Squadron.
- 28th Constabulary Squadron converted and redesignated on 20 December 1948 as the 2nd Battalion, 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
6th Armored Cavalry Regiment
- Battalions and companies redesignated 24 June 1960 as squadrons and troops, respectively. Troop E Reorganized and redesignated as Troop B, 6th Armored Cavalry
- Regiment inactivated 24 October 1963 at Fort Knox, Kentucky
- Regiment activated 23 March 1967 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
- Inactivated (less 1st Squadron) 31 March 1971 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
- 1st and 2nd Squadrons inactivated 21 June 1973 at Fort Bliss, Texas)
- Regiment reorganized and redesignated 22 June 1973 as the 6th Cavalry Regiment, a parent regiment under the Fort Hood, Texas (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated)
- 2nd Squadron redesignated 1 July 1974 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, 6th Cavalry, and activated at Fort Knox, Kentucky (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated)
- 1st Squadron relieved 21 February 1975 from assignment to the 1st Cavalry Division.
- Regiment withdrawn 1986 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System.
- 2nd Squadron inactivated 30 May 1986 at Fort Knox, Kentucky
- 2nd Squadron activated 16 July 1986 at Fort Hood, Texas
- 1st Squadron inactivated 15 December 1995 at Fort Hood, Texas
- 1st Squadron activated 16 July 1996 in Korea
- 3rd Squadron departed Fort Hood, Texas and arrived at Camp Humphreys, near Pyongtaek in Korea, July 1996. 3rd Squadron was honored by maintaining the Regimental Colors until they were deactivated.
- 3rd Squadron inactivated [2006] and reflagged as the 4th Battalion, 2d Aviation Regiment in Korea
Honors
Campaigns
- Civil War:
- Peninsula;
- Antietam;
- Fredericksburg;
- Chancellorsville;
- Gettysburg;
- Wilderness;
- Spotsylvania;
- Cold Harbor;
- Petersburg;
- Shenandoah;
- Appomattox;
- Virginia 1862;
- Virginia 1863;
- Virginia 1864;
- Virginia 1865;
- Maryland 1863
- Indian Wars:
- Comanches;
- Apaches;
- Pine Ridge;
- Oklahoma 1874;
- Texas 1874;
- Arizona 1876;
- Arizona 1881;
- Arizona 1882;
- New Mexico 1882;
- Colorado 1884
- War with Spain:
- Santiago
- China Relief Expedition:
- Streamer without inscription
- Philippine–American War:
- Streamer without inscription
- Mexican Expedition:
- Mexico 1916–1917
- World War I:
- Streamer without inscription
- World War II:
- Normandy;
- Northern France;
- Rhineland;
- Ardennes-Alsace;
- Central Europe
- Southwest Asia:[32]
- Defense of Saudi Arabia;[32]
- Liberation and Defense of Kuwait;[32]
- Cease-Fire;[32]
- Iraq 2007–2008, 4th Squadron;
- Iraq 2007–2009, 1st Squadron;
- Iraq 2010–2011, 1st Squadron;
- Afghanistan 2013, 1st Squadron;
- Iraq 2016-2017, 4th Squadron;
Decorations
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for HARLANGE POCKET
- Valorous Unit Award for KUWAIT;[32]
- Army Superior Unit Award for 1996–1997;[32]
- Valorous Unit Award for Iraq (1 June 2007 – 25 August 2008) (HRC Permanent Orders 169-17 dated 18 June 2009) 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry
- Meritorious Unit Commendation for Iraq (3 September 2007 – 23 November 2008) (HRC Permanent Orders 173-003 dated 22 June 2009) 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry
- Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in Iraq (2008–2009) (Orders posted 30 July 2010) 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry
- Army Superior Unit Award for deterrence operations against North Korea (18 October 2013 to 31 December 2013) PERMANENT ORDER 055-08, dated 24 February 2015, 4th Squadron.
Notable members
- Louis Henry Carpenter MOH
- Adna Chaffee
- John Connor MOH
- Henry Blake Hays
- Alexander F. Harmer
- Nicholas M. Nolan
- Richard B. Paddock
- George S. Patton
- John J. Pershing
- George Crawford Platt MOH
- George B. Selden
- Samuel H. Starr commander during the Gettysburg Campaign
- Samuel Whitside
6th Cavalry Museum
The 6th Cavalry Museum is located in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.[33] The museum is dedicated to the regiment. It is focused on those who served at the U.S. Army Post at Fort Oglethorpe from 1902 to 1946. The museum was established in 1981 by veterans who served in the cavalry.[34][35]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Special Unit Designations". United States Army Center of Military History. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "The Sixth Regiment of Cavalry | the Army of the US Historical Sketches of Staff and Line with Portraits of Generals-in-Chief | U.S. Army Center of Military History".
- ^ Longacre, p. 236, indicates that the 6th Virginia conducted the second charge alone.
- ISBN 978-0-938349-42-6.
- Note: Lt. Col. Carter, who wrote this book in 1900, was commissioned a second lieutenant at West Point (Class of 1873) and served with the Sixth from 1874 until his retirement as a Major General in 1915. The 1989 book is a reprint. Click here and see item 3.
- ^ "George C. Platt, 6th United States Cavalry, Troop "H" — See item 1 & eyewitness statement at". Members.tripod.com. 20 June 1912. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ Rodenbough, Theophilus Francis, Bvt. Brigadier General, retired & Haskin, William L., Major, retired, The Army of the United States – Historical Sketches of Staff and Line with Portraits of Generals-in-Chief, published by Maynard, Merrill, & Co., 1896, New York. See section: Sixth Regiment of Cavalry by Captain William H. Carter, 6th U.S. Cavalry. This is part of the U.S. Army Center of Military History online. Archived 12 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Foner, E., Reconstruction: America's unfinished revolution, 1863–1877, NY, published by Harper & Row, 1988, see chapters 6 & 7.
- ^ "Little Wichita River, Battle of the". 15 June 2010.
- ^ Photographs were taken of the 2 dead men; ironically one version was sold as a result of a gunfight between Wild Bill Hickcock and two troopers of the 7th Cavalry-which happened in 1870! Archived 13 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The "Fighting Sixth:" 6th U.S. Cavalry". 26 January 2018.
- ^ Nock-ay-det-klinne
- ^ a b Michno, Gregory (2003). Encyclopedia of Indian Wars: Western Battles and Skirmishes, 1850-1890. Mountain Press Publishing. p. 343.
- ^ a b c "Frank Nickerson's Diary".
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bielakowski, Alexander (20 July 2012). US Cavalryman 1891–1920. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 44–45.
- ISBN 978-0-9834756-2-0.
- ^ "Jungle Patrol - 17. Death on the Kris". 21 December 2001. Archived from the original on 21 December 2001.
- ^ Clay, Steven E. (2010). U.S. Army Order of Battle, 1919-1941, Volume 2. The Arms: Cavalry, Field Artillery, and Coast Artillery, 1919-41. Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press. p. 620.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Unicorn Rampant – History of the Sixth Cavalry Regiment / Group at Home and Abroad, 63.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Nance, William Stuart (May 2011). Patton's Iron Cavalry – The Impact of the Mechanized Cavalry on the U.S. Third Army (PDF) (Thesis). University of North Texas.
- .
- ^ "6th Cavalry". Archived from the original on 3 January 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- ^ "1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry". Archived from the original on 21 June 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- ^ "2d Squadron, 6th Cavalry". Archived from the original on 19 June 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- ^ CMH. "Headquarters, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division". History.army.mil. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ "Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Cavalry Brigade". Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- ^ a b c "3rd Squadron 6th Cavalry Regiment History". US Army. Archived from the original on 14 January 2017.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH). "Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Aviation Command". Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on 5 September 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ "Hawaii's 2–6 Cavalry Wins Hutton Memorial Award" (PDF). Multi-National Corps-Iraq (Press release). Public Affairs Office, Multi-National Division-North. 19 July 2007. Retrieved 7 March 2008.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ Burge, David (2 October 2014). "Fort Bliss' Flying Dragons getting drones to team with their attack helicopters". www.elpasotimes.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ Lott, Gary. "4-6 Attack Reconnaissance Squadron closes chapter at JBLM - News Front - Northwest Military - Home of The Ranger, NW Airlifter & Weekly Volcano". Northwest Military. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
- ^ a b c d e f Except 1st Squadron.
- ^ "6th Cavalry Museum". www.visitchattanooga.com. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Directors, 6Th Cavalry Museum Board of (13 June 2022). "6th Cavalry Museum in Fort Oglethorpe marks retirement of Chris McKeever celebrating 18 years of growth". Northwest Georgia News. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Parker, Collins (18 November 2022). "Changes coming to 6th Cavalry Museum in Fort Oglethorpe". WDEF. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
External links
- Summary of US 6th Cavalry Regiment movements from 1861 to 1890 reproduced at the United States Army Center of Military History
- British Cavalry officer saves Cpl Rasmussen of the 6th US Cavalry during a skirmish of the Boxer Rebellion. Archived 8 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- Civil War service
- 6th Cavalry Museum Regimental History