 The Black Horse Regiment, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, brought a new look to Vietnam. The natural barriers and unfriendly terrain in Vietnam make it tough for today's modern machines of war. But surprisingly, American mechanized units have surmounted these obstacles through ingenuity and sheer determination. And it takes determination, especially when you can't see what's ahead even 10 feet away. A jungle might seem like a strange place for armored vehicles that can cover hundreds of miles per day in open country. Yet when the enemy can be anywhere, armor means a lot to the foot soldier. Armor helps the soldier beat a path. Armor means firepower, that extra wallet that keeps the enemy from concentrating his forces. Today's mechanized cavalry means mobility and speed, a prime requirement of modern warfare. Since their arrival in Vietnam, the cavalry troopers of the Black Horse Regiment have built a proud record of accomplishment while fulfilling their military missions. Under unique battlefield conditions never before encountered by mechanized ground forces, they built a record of leadership, of ingenuity, spirit and valor that will always live in the annals of the 11th Armored Cavalry in Vietnam. New ways to do old jobs had to be found, and these men were equal to the task. The third core area where the regiment was assigned contains the capital of South Vietnam, Saigon, important cities such as Bin Hoa and the Rice Bowl provinces. It also included strategic areas such as the Elephant's Ear and the trackless jungles of the Cambodian border. As an independent force in this vital area, the 11th Armored Cavalry gave needed support to elements of U.S. and Allied forces. Immediately after arrival at the Port of Vung Tau in September 1966, the regiment moved to the important headquarters base of Long Bin for staging. Then onward to Xuan Loc and the creation of its own base camp. The regiment was welcomed by General Creighton Abrams, later commander of all U.S. forces in Vietnam. He discussed equipment and organization with Colonel Cobb, the regiment's first commander in Vietnam. At the conclusion of his welcoming visit, General Abrams was impressed with this vital new fighting team. The familiar armored personnel carriers had been beefed up for the counter-insurgency mission in Vietnam. Each vehicle was fitted with two additional machine guns, and modification of armor gave crewmen greater protection. The crew of five men included the vehicle commander, driver, grenadier, and gunners. The result was the Armored Cav Assault Vehicle, or ACAV, the key vehicle of the new light armored platoons. After it had been proved in combat, the ACAV was soon employed in other units throughout Vietnam. Heavier armor, typified by the M-48 tank, provided each squadron with a big punch. The newest armored vehicle with the 11th is the Sheridan. It mounts a 152 mm gun, which also launches the Chalet missile. Self-propelled artillery was also part of the squadrons and was assigned to individual units in whatever mix the commander required. In the days ahead, artillery support would prove to be a valuable asset. At first, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment was equipped with self-propelled 105 mm Howitzers. Later, these were to be replaced by 155 mm Howitzers, which have greater range. The regiment became a completely mobile reconnaissance and striking force. They became the only free-wheeling armored unit of its kind in combat in Vietnam. Within its squadrons were custom vehicles and special-purpose weapons, such as heavy mortars capable of devastating fire, and highly trained mobile advisory scouts, a thunder-horse troop of air cavalry. Within three weeks of arrival, units of the 11th had met the enemy, beginning with a fight for the regiment's line of communication. The Viet Cong had plenty of warning as the long lines of armor rolled down the roads and into the northern sector of the core area. Friendly observers reported the enemy was rising to the bait, preparing ambushes. In operation at Lantern, the men of the 11th routed the ambushes with overwhelming firepower, making a heavy toll in enemy dead and captured. Many of the enemy's weapons were seized. Best of all, the Viet Cong learned respect for the regiment at the outset. The people of Long Cong province were free again. This initial success made the task easier. As the Black Horse Base Camp began to grow, its resupply and security gained importance. Headquarters became a hub of activity. Everywhere the camp was being developed into a comfortable main base, even though a large part remained under canvas. Communications were an important reason for the camp's existence. Powerful electronics equipment at the Tactical Operations Center allowed full communications with higher headquarters at Long Bin. And with field units, which had mobile armored command posts. When in position, these field units were made secure against enemy night raids. Concertina wire encircled the area. During daylight hours, these forward outposts were busy centers of planning and direction. In all, this communications network proved an outstanding support for the troopers in the field. Fanning out from the base, armored convoys patrolled the area and protected vital supply lines as they kept the roads open. Often an armored patrol guarded an important junction or other strategic point. After long hours of patrolling far from their base, men and vehicles would pull off the road to rest. During these short periods of respite, however, the alert troopers never wandered very far from their vehicles. Truly and simply, this was enemy country. For days at a time, they were on duty 24 hours a day. But they never dropped their guard, and it was mighty hard for Charlie to disturb the peace. In January 1967, Operation Cedar Falls swept the Iron Triangle area northwest of Saigon, a long time enemy hideout. The 11th armored cavalry acted as a pushing force, beating the bushes for the enemy, driving them into a waiting blocking force composed of main US and Allied forces. It was a tough, dangerous job. Much of it in country where a man could not see the front of his vehicle from the driver's seat. Mile by mile, the men of the Black Horse Regiment helped flush the VC out of their tunnels. They found everything and anything which the enemy could use to carry out his mission. No road was safe from VC booby traps. Here, a hole to trap our vehicles with a path left for the enemy to use. The answer to this one, beat a new path and move on. The operation was an unqualified success. Documents captured from the enemy attested to the hardships they had suffered as the armored units closed in. Then came the rice bowl country. In the Vodac region, the men of the Black Horse helped keep the fields and the roads free so the crop would be safe from seizure by the Viet Cong. Also, the presence of armored units kept the peace and kept the enemy from intimidating the villages. Bridges launched by armored vehicles were often laid down to keep traffic flowing. Flash flooding of small streams washed away the crude locally built bridges and buses were unable to make their scheduled destinations. The military bridges helped speed them on their way. The prime purpose of road and highway upkeep, however, was to keep the region open for the fluent movement of military convoys. Here in the Vodac region, this scissors bridge was a useful complement to the regiment's armored strength. It could be erected or removed quickly and without any construction work. In addition to aiding military vehicular traffic, these portable bridges opened newer and shorter routes to nearby marketplaces for the villagers and farmers of the area. As the need presented itself, these scissors bridges were moved from one locale to another with ease and speed. In the province of Tainin along the Cambodian border in the country called the Elephant's Ear, units of the 11th penetrated into terrain previously considered too rough for vehicles. Once again, the men of the 11th armored cavalry beat the jungle, pressing forward regardless of terrain. There in the dense rainforests, they went after the enemy's hiding places. And the enemy was there. Once again, the assigned mission was accomplished. In Operation Junction City, a sweep through Tainin and Warzone Sea during July 1967, Rome plows cleared the jungle along the road sides. Military convoys and the South Vietnamese people could use the roads in greater safety. From the air, it was now possible to spot any Viet Cong activity near these vital roadways. Tanks were used to keep the roads open at strategic points, firing to keep the enemy off balance. During the operation, command and control were maintained through the airborne units, making it easier for field commanders to visit various units often. The air cavalry troop of the regiment known as Thunder Horse had its own helicopter gunships and transports. Forward air controllers performed effective liaison between the Air Force and our armored units. By August 1967, Black Horse Base Camp was well established for the returning troopers many of the comforts of home. The return to action comes all too soon. With the almost unbelievable complication of trying to fight a war in which both friends and enemies might be found in the same general area, extreme accuracy is a must when firing heavy weapons. Special weapons like this 4.2 inch mortar mounted in carriers provide additional fire support to the squadrons. But it isn't all fighting. Men of the 11th Cav worked closely with soldiers of the South Vietnamese Army to help train local cadre in self-defense. The maintenance and use of field communications equipment was one of the primary training courses. Other instruction included weapons such as the carbine. Drills for crews serving mortars soon familiarized the allied soldiers with these weapons. And as we worked with them, the Arvan soldiers gained confidence. It was now late fall of 1967. As the war continued and operations expanded, the safety of convoys became a continuing responsibility. A young security officer of the 3rd Squadron makes sure his men understand their orders and special road instructions. Then the long haul of a dirt roads begins. Enemy hijackers waiting to seize this valuable convoy of supplies will call it off when they see the armored units. The medical civilian assistance program was also guarded against surprise by the 11th Cav while hundreds of people who had no other medical care were treated. Here the doctors and medical staff were enabled to care for young and old alike without fear of being interrupted in their work. In Operation Santa Fe, the 11th worked with the Australians who learned to use the American equipment. The Aussies handled the American armor like veterans. During Operation Santa Fe in Juan Locke province, the Aussies conducted a large sweeping operation driving the enemy forces into the waiting trap set up by the armored units of the Black Horse Regiment. The operation went off with clock-like precision as the Australians pressed the enemy back. Armored flamethrowers were used to clear tree lines and suspected enemy positions. Then came the Vietnamese New Year, Tet. The enemy chose this occasion to unleash well coordinated attacks in several areas of the Republic. Everywhere the Viet Cong were met with counter attacks. Striking treacherously where least expected, the Viet Cong brought the war to the cities of South Vietnam. Gunfire roared in the streets and panic spread throughout the population. The 11th Cav rose to the challenge and in a lightning fast road march from the area near Cambodia raced to the defense of the embattled cities. There they supported the Arban troops, cutting off enemy escape routes. The city of Binh Hoa was secured by the armored assault of the 3rd squadrons in which the enemy was routed in house to house fighting. The 11th was also sent to the defense of the capital Saigon. Large areas of the capital's residential section had been laid to waste by concentrated Viet Cong rocket attacks and mortar bombardment. The people displaced wandered aimlessly through the district. In the midst of all this, the fighting continued as military police patrolled the city. Day and night in the alleys and in the streets, the relentless hunt for Charlie carried the armored cavalryman into every nook and cranny of the capital. The enemy was forced to give ground with appalling losses. The Arban forces distinguished themselves during the Tet campaign, acting aggressively to free their cities. Wherever they went, they were solidly backed by armor, often that of the 11th armored cavalry or their own armor. A few days after the initial attacks, the Arban began to retake and free the cities. Soon it became evident that communications had been secured. The bridges remained open. Once again, traffic began to flow with armored vehicles everywhere. The Cho Lan area, the so-called Chinatown of Saigon. Here, after the first victories at Ben Hoa and Saigon, the 11th Cavs stayed in the thick of the fight. Troopers of the Black Horse moved methodically from block to block, probing into every building along the way. Finally, it became apparent the Viet Cong had left the area, and there would be no more battles in the streets. As the cities were pacified and the people could begin to pick up the blasted pieces of their lives, the Valorous Unit Award was granted to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment by the Secretary of the Army. In part, it said, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment was a major factor in eliminating the enemy threat. The men of the regiment displayed extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, which are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. And so, the tide of Tet was quickly turned from threat to opportunity, as the Allied forces launched crushing blows against the enemy in the 3rd Corps area. Wherever the Viet Cong underground fortifications were discovered, they were blown sky-high. In operation Wea Thanh, which means resolve to win, the men of the Black Horse together with the 25th Armored Division moved northwest of Saigon. The Armored Troops with confidence went in after the enemy. Here the tanks and acaves maneuvered like cavalry and did so for 41 straight days, supporting the Armored Troops wherever they went. There was a lot of hard, dangerous work ferreting out the Viet Cong. The enemy long in control of this area had, over a period of years, borrowed into the earth, creating a labyrinth of underground fighting and sleeping positions. Searching through this complex was not only difficult, but time-consuming. In every way, the Black Horse Regiment had earned its spurs. By early spring 1968, the Black Horse insignia, granted under fire in Vietnam, became a symbol of valor. Searching for communist mines was an unpleasant task. In order to maintain regular convoys, the roads were checked by minesweeping teams every day. The enemy operating under cover of darkness would plant mines along the most heavily traveled roads, despite the best efforts of our patrols. A portion of the road, safe today, was unsafe tomorrow. Almost every minesweep uncovered something lethal. A Chinese communist 20-pound mine, big enough to blow the tracks off an acave. Once uncovered, these mines were destroyed by demolition experts using charges of plastic explosives. For these men, this is the daily war, the no-headline war of nerve-wracking uncertainty, of constant plotting and searching where every footstep may lead to injury or death. This is modern mine warfare, brought to new dimensions by a cunning enemy. Despite everything, however, the 11th Armored Cavalry continues to forge ahead. In a land where even the earth itself fights against men and machines, the vast logistics of maintenance and repair keep them rolling. In the open country and in the cities. Throughout the Third Corps area, or wherever they are needed, the men of the regiment fight on for freedom with the help of armored mobile firepower. These are the men who proudly wear the insignia of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam. Symbol of valor, the Black Horse Pack.