11th Armored
Cavalry Regiment
Historical
Review
By
Neil C. Morrison
Museum Director
NTC & 11TH
TAKING COMMAND
When a
new Commander takes possession of the Regimental Color, he has assumed the full
responsibility of that Color and all that it implies as the essence of the
Regiment.
Grant of Arms
By authority of the
Secretary of War the Institute of Heraldry
Blazon
Shield Or within an orle sable in chief two
bolos saltirewise gules hilted azure and in base a cactus proper.
Crest
On
a wreath of colors or and sable a horse’s head erased sable.
Motto Allons.
Symbolism:
Organized in 1901 the regiment
Saw service in the
which is indicated by then
crossed bolos with red
blades and blue hilts.
The regiment’s excellent service on the
Mexican border in 1916 is represented by the cactus.
The regimental colors black and yellow, are
shown by the shield and the black border within the edge and by the color of
the crest.
Under the provisions of AR 600-40, Par. 46: the
blazonry and description of arms here given having been registered and recorded
in the Institute of Heraldry, United States Army are affirmed from this date
and hereafter may borne, shown and advanced by the 11th Cavalry
Regiment as safe property of said arms.
In testimony whereof this Grant of Arms is given under
my hand at the Institute of Heraldry, U.S. Army, Camron Station, in the City of
Alexandria in the Commonwealth of Virginia this the twenty fifth day of the
August in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twenty one and in
the independence
of the United States of American one hundred and forty five.
The line,
“…United States Army are affirmed from this date and hereafter may borne, shown
and advanced by the 11th Cavalry Regiment as safe property of said
arms.” Indicates the strong value placed up
this symbol of the Regiment.
Likewise, it was traditional that all new troopers to
the Regiment would, by his own hand, sew his first shoulder insignia (patch)
onto his uniform.
This represents his attachment of the Regiment’s insignia and a personal
affirmation of honor and devotion to protect that symbol as “safe
property”. This insignia (patch) is
provided for you, so that you too will attach your first patch, Sir!
History of the
11th Cavalry – 11th
Armored Cavalry Regiment
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 11th
CAVALRY
2 February 1901
After attaining victory in the
Spanish-American War of 1898, the
On
“I have 400 men who have never seen a horse, I have 400 horses who have never seen a man, and I have 15 Officers who have never seen a man or a horse.”
First training report rendered by the Major of the 3d Squadron,
15th Cavalry,
as it was being organized on
THE FIRST UNIFORM
The headgear is referred to as a "campaign hat." It resembled a fedora with a crease down the middle of the crown. The shirt was made of dark blue chambray and the trousers were a buff-colored khaki with canvas leggings over low cut boots. A dark blue coat was used for dress occasions while a khaki coat was issued for field use. When mounted, the trooper wore brass rowel spurs and gauntlets (riding gloves). His holstered .38 caliber double action Colt revolver hung opposite a Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber on a canvas "Mills" belt that held double rows of cartridges for his rifle. Slung from his saddle was a tin cup, a flat circular canteen, a blue blanket, and the famous smokeless powder Krag-Jorgensen magazine fed carbine.
The typical soldier began his day with
"Stable Call" at 0500 hrs.
Tasked with caring for his mount before addressing his own needs, the
Trooper rubbed down, fed and exercised his horse. Next came routine with which soldiers of
today can readily identify. This involved close order drill, athletics, guard
duty, and honing the skills of scouting and patrolling. Afternoons were devoted to mounted drill, one
of which was known as the "Monkey Drill." This maneuver required the Trooper to ride
bareback hands free while putting his horse through various maneuvers. The pay of the 11th Cavalry soldier in the
early 1900's was $13.00 a month for a six-day workweek. Sunday was a day off when Troopers received
mounted passes that permitted riding through the countryside.
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
(Philippine Campaign Medal)
By June 1901, the Regiment was fully
activated, although its three Squadrons were separated to posts in
[*General John Buford, 1848 - 1863, West
Point Class of 1848, Civil War US Cavalry commander. He led the Union forces in the epic 14-hour
Future President William Howard Taft was the
First Civil Governor of the
By May 1902, working from satellite camps
attached to larger base camps, daily patrols of Troopers had swept the
countryside of guerrillas and the Regiment began the transition to garrison
operations. The tropical climate, illness and guerrilla warfare had depleted
the Regiment to one-third strength.
Orders home were issued in March 1904 and
within a month, the Regiment was scattered around the
CUBAN PACIFICATION
(Army of Cuban Pacification Medal 1906-09)
The Cuban republic was established after the 1898
Spanish-American War. In 1901 the Platt
Amendment, a rider attached to the Army Appropriations Bill of 1901, stipulated
the conditions for
In mid-1906 Cuban internal
strife caused the
Pulled from its annual maneuvers at
"Galloping Jim" (the longest
serving Colonel) continued peacekeeping operations during the Regiment's
two-year stay, demonstrating to the natives that the US Army's Cavalry was
ready for any and all eventualities. Although
conflict is at times inevitable, the 11th Cavalry Regiment best serves the country
when it commands respect and thereby averts war through a show of
strength. This will be repeated time and
again throughout the history of the regiment.
By 1909, the political situation in
After the inauguration of President Taft, the
regiment settled into garrison life at its new home at
LUDLOW
In May 1914, the 11th Cavalry
found itself on the go again, this time to
FOOD FOR MARCHING ORDER
The menu of the troops must not be
forgotten. In every game of chance,
there is always a possible element of disappointment, but there is neither
chance nor disappointment in the matter of meals for troops. They were dealt the inevitable
"government straight" consisting of canned baked beans, canned
tomatoes, canned corn bread ("Corned Willie"), coffee and
prunes. This may not sound so bad, but
it did get monotonous.
THE GREAT WAR
World War I began on 28 July 1914, one month
after the assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne by a Serbian
terrorist in Sarajevo,
PUNITIVE EXPEDITION
MEXICO
(Mexican Service Medal)
On
A feature of railroad troop trains is their
ability for "rapid" transit.
At every station stop, a delegation of the Red Cross met the trains with
hot coffee and sweet smiles. At
The Provisional Squadron of the 11th Cavalry
was formed under the command of Major Robert L. Howze. On
THE LAST CHARGE
On
Howze's War
Diary
- 5 May 1916
5 May 1916 report to General Pershing:
"We made an over-night march to Ojo Azules, distance thirty-six miles.
Reached here at
The 11th Cavalry withdrew from
THE ZIMMERMAN TELEGRAM
International Intrigue affects the 11th Cavalry
The
THE QUIET YEARS
On
Presidio duties included exercising horses on
the beaches of
THE
GREAT PRESIDIO OIL FIRE
OF
1924
At
1000 hours on
Troopers fought the fires from behind sections of
wooden fencing used as shields against the heat. Ladders were placed up against the sides of
the burning tanks and troopers were ordered up them to spray water directly
into the tanks. Many of these troopers
died when the tanks collapsed and they were thrown into the burning oil.
Five days later, when the fire had finally burning
itself out, it was found that 26 men were missing from the rolls and several
hundred were injured. (Through the Army
Memorial Program, many streets of
LESSONS LEARNED:
With this and other similar above ground oil storage tanks fires,
lessons were learned, that have affected the oil storage procedures industry
wide.
That is, due to the fixed roofing and with repeated
drainage/refilling; would naturally generate spacing between the oil and roofing
unit. Vapors would develop and it is
this, that most believed actually ignited, when the lighting struck. Lighting rods are of little value in these
situations. When rainwater or the fire
extinguishing water would land on top of the oil, this in time would descend as
oil being lighting then water. With the
tempter of the burring oil began reaching 212 degrees, the water converts to
vapor expanding rapidly thus causing eruption of hot boiling burning oil.
This was not a familiar concept to the troopers who
were working in good faith they treated the fire as a “wood
burning fire” and continued to spray water onto the tanks hoping to cool the
metal/wood casing enough to contain the oil.
As the heat would transfer from one tank unit across to an adjacent unit
that too would reach a tempter causing that unit to likewise explode, which
lead to more loss of life.
Any water accumulated from previous rains that
became covered with repeated “drainage/refilling of oil” generated a layering
of oil-water-oil etc., when heated, expands and explodes or in this case, oil
boiled up and over the sides of the containers.
There are several accounts of the storage tank casings becoming too hot
and collapsing inward tossing the troopers into the vat of burning oil.
Major lesson learned is that now the “tops” of
these storage units are a floating top that does not allow the collection of
vapors, distance between tanks has extended, a massive earth works have been
constructed to contain the total oil within the storage unit in a designated
area thus preventing expansion of the burning oil over to other units.
THE 11TH CAVALRY
"GOES
During the inter-war period,
THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
The Regiment participated in many ceremonies,
such as marking the opening of the
"HORSE TO
HORSEPOWER"
The 1920's and 1930's saw the gradual
introduction of armored cars, trucks and motorcycles to the Regiment,
supplementing the traditional horse, wagon and pack mules. Scout cars were
accepted in 1935 with the later M3A1 becoming the pre-war mainstay. Special
built tractor-trailers were capable of rapidly transporting eight fully
equipped Troopers with their horses to any staging point. (It was also in the
late 1930's that the Regiment was issued the Garand M1 to replace the venerable
Springfield M1903 rifle.)
In the mid-1930's the
Field maneuvers, large-scale exercises and an
occasional search and rescue mission in the mountains of
Over a dozen of those countries still fielded
them at war’s end. In April 1945, the 4th German Cavalry Division
alone surrendered 16,000 horse mounted soldiers.
WAR CLOUDS
In 1939, General George C. Marshall became
Army Chief of Staff. With war clouds
looming over
The new camps for the Regiment were
constructed in
Led by Harold M. Rayner, (16th COLONEL OF THE
REGIMENT) the main body moved from the Presidio of
The Regiment underwent extensive training
until
Immediately following the bombing of
WORLD WAR II
The summer of 1942 found the regiment
reassigned to
-Headquarters & Headquarters Troop became
11th Cavalry Group Mechanized/XIII
Corps
-First & Second Squadron became 11th Tank
Battalion/10th Armored Division
-Third Squadron became 712th Tank
Battalion/90th Infantry Division
"BATTLE
The Ardennes
Offensive
The
This epic battle has the distinction of being
the only one that involved all three elements of the old 11th Cavalry
Regiment. The 11th Tank Battalion was
defending inside the bulge while the 712th Tank Battalion was in the relief column
punching its way in. The 11th Cavalry
Group anchored a sector on the northern shoulder of the bulge.
712TH TANK BATTALION
The 712th landed in
11TH TANK BATTALION
The 11th Tank Battalion entered combat on
11TH CAVALRY GROUP (MECHANIZED)
The 11th Cavalry Group would be destined to
carry on the Blackhorse name. Then Lt. Leonard D. Holder (37th COLONEL OF THE
REGIMENT) of Troop B, 44th
Squadron, was the first to land on the shores of
ROER TO THE
When the Allied offensive resumed after the
This thrust deep into the enemy's homeland
culminated with the 11th Cavalry Group killing and wounding 632 German soldiers
and capturing 6,128 prisoners. In 21
days the Blackhorse had moved 378 miles, suffered only 14 killed, and 102
wounded.
THE BLACKHORSE MEETS
THE RUSSIAN BEAR
4 May 1945
The 11th Cavalry Group had advanced at such a
fast pace that they meet the III Russian Corps coming into
"THE CIRCLE "C" COWBOYS"
May 1946 - November 1948
Early May 1946 found the 11th Cavalry Group
(Mechanized) reverting from horsepower back to horseflesh. The Group was re-designated the 11th
Constabulary Regiment and reissued horses drawn from world-renowned Polish breeding
stock. Likewise, the 11th Tank Battalion
stateside was re-activated as the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st
Constabulary Regiment. The horses were
utilized, along with other various modes of transportation, to accomplish the
mission of reconnaissance and surveillance of movements of the populace. The concern was the possible resuming of
hostilities by fraction groups. This
elite force roamed through its various sectors presenting a bearing of
security, order and stability to the country.
The distinctive "C" inside a circle on the helmets and
shoulder patches earned the mounted Constabulary Regiments the nickname
"Circle C Cowboys" and brought the distinction of being the last
horse mounted combat patrols in
THE BORDER LEGION
The Cold War Heats Up
The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
was reactivated
In May 1960 the Regiment
added a separate Aviation Company, the precursor of larger aviation components
to follow. In an effort to regain a
sense of historical esprit de corps within the armored cavalry regiments, the
Army reestablished the nomenclature from battalions and companies to the
traditional terms of squadron and troops.
In 1964 the Regiment
departed
THE BLACKHORSE, BECOMES A
LEGEND
At
Skeptics questioned
whether armor (tanks) vehicles could play an effective role in the jungles of
Nine different Colonels
would lead the Regiment during its extensive stay in country. One of the saddest days in the history of the
Regiment occurred when Col. Leonard D. Holder, (37th COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT)
was killed just after being in country only a few weeks. His aircraft malfunctioned
after receiving small arms fire and crashed.
He died a few days later from injuries.
He is the only Colonel of the Regiment to have died while in command of
the Regiment.
When the Tet Offensive of
January 1968 began, the Regiment was ordered to
The summer of 1968 brought
George S. Patton Jr., (39th COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT) and the 11th ACR back
towards
August 1969 saw another
innovation under the command of James A. Leach (40th COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT)
when an entire Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (ACAV) Troop using modified M113
personnel carriers was airlifted by C130 aircraft. This enabled the unit to be in combat at
night, move by aircraft in the morning and be able to re-engage the enemy at a
different location by that evening.
These bold maneuvers kept the enemy at bay whenever he ventured out of
his Cambodian sanctuaries.
On
On
The Regiment was ordered
to force-march 40 kilometers further north to capture the City of
On
The Blackhorse went home
from the toughest, most agonizing conflict that has ever engaged American
soldiers on foreign soil. Whatever the
notation of the war's outcome that enters into the history books, it will be
said that: "The Blackhorse troopers have performed with estimable devotion
to duty and unsurpassed gallantry. It
was the Regiment's finest hour."
Grant of Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
As authorized by
the Secretary of the
INSIGNIA
Description: On a shield 2 ¾ inch (6.99cm) in width overall
divided diagonally from upper right to lower left, the upper portion red and
the lower portion white, a rearing black horse facing to the left all within a
1/8 inch (.32cm) black border.
Symbolism:
The colors red
and white are the traditional cavalry colors and the rearing black horse
alludes to the “Black Horse” nickname of the 11th Armored Cavalry
Regiment.
Background: This insignia was approved on
Under
the provisions of title 18 United States Code Section 101-104 the Shoulder
Sleeve Insignia here given having been registered and recorded in the Institute
of Heraldry United States Army are reaffirmed from this date and hereafter may
borne, shown and advanced by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment as
safe property of said insignia.
In
testimony whereof these letters are given under my hand of the City of
Alexandria in the Commonwealth of Virginia this first day of May in the year of
Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and sixty seven and in the Independence of
the United States of American one hundred and ninety one.
Colonel,
Adjutant General’s Corps
Commanding
The 11th
ACR initially enter the
authorized
the warring of a distinctive patch.
1st. Medal of
Honor Recipient
YANO,
RODNEY J. T.
Rank
and organization:
2nd. Medal of Honor Recipient
WICKAM,
JERRY WAYNE
Rank
and organization:
3rd. Medal of
Honor Recipient
FRITZ,
HAROLD A.
Rank
and organization:
"THE FRONTIER OF FREEDOM"
THE FULDA
1972 - 1994
On
The Regimental mission in the General
Defense Plan (GDP) was to strongly reinforce the
As so often in the Regiment's history, it
had to disperse its squadrons. Located
at
Modernization brought with it
organizational change on a comparable scale.
The Regiment grew in size, became more diverse in its capabilities and
increased its self-sufficiency. The
Regiment now numbered over 4,600 soldiers, a four-fold increase over the
original 1901 troop count. In 1985 the
newly formed Combat Support Squadron, known as "Packhorse," was
activated in
Border operations were serious
business. Each cavalry troop of the
Regiment could expect border duty four times a year - each tour lasting 21-30
days. Duty day began with a 0600 border
briefing, a review of SOP's and an update on the latest sightings or
incidents. Part of the mission was to
demonstrate to potential adversaries that the Blackhorse, representing all NATO
forces, was well-disciplined and ready to fight. The trooper’s gear had to be clean, boots
highly polished, uniforms pressed, weapons spotless, and radios fully
operational. After inspection, the
troopers were divided into reaction forces; observation posts (OP’s), and
patrol duty (PD's). Usually two armored
vehicles with 10 men would respond virtually without notice to any contingency
along the border. The crews had 10
minutes to be moving out of the camp gate - fully equipped, weapons mounted,
ammunition on board. Patrolling was a 24
hours a day - 7 days a week function.
Observation Posts (OP's) served as base
camps as well as vantage points for observation. First Squadron occupied OP
Alpha near Hunfeld-Schlitz-Lauterbach. Second Squadron was at
THE WALL CAME DOWN
The
One historic day changed the mission of the
Regiment in
The Regiment's legacy was a justifiable
pride at having played an important role in one of the greatest victories of
military history, a victory all the more remarkable for having been won without
firing a shot.
THE GULF CRISIS
(
The unexpected surprise Iraqi invasion of
The Regiment was not deployed into the Gulf
as a unit. The first deployment of 200
troopers included aircrews, mechanics, truck drivers, physician's assistants,
intelligence analysts and others. The
scout platoons of Troop E and Troop K deployed as units. In the brief, but violent ground campaign
that routed Saddam Hussein's Army, one group of Blackhorse scouts, the 1st Platoon of Troop E
distinguished themselves. While fighting
as part of the 3rd ACR, led by 1st Lt. Tom Johnson and Staff Sergeant
Richard Shelton, Troop E moved over 325 Kilometers in less than 60 hours,
finishing the war just south of the Iraqi City of Basra. This one platoon captured thirteen enemy
prisoners and destroyed thirteen trucks, two command bunkers, and the
communications bunker. None of the
scouts of Troop E, nor any other Blackhorse trooper, suffered any
casualties.
The end of the actual hostilities in the
Gulf did not result in a return to normalcy. Far from it, the aftermath of
Saddam Hussein's defeat triggered an uprising of
The morning of
In orders dated
The three line squadrons took turns pulling
"Z Cycle", a designation that included responsibility for
security. Manning gates, towers, the Z
Squadron kept a platoon-size Quick Reaction Force (QRF) on alert around the
clock, seven days a week. The QRF
deployed off the compound without notice at least twice daily, a muscle-flexing
exercise.
On the morning of 11 July a defective
vehicle heater triggered a motor pool fire in the north compound of Blackhorse
Base Camp. Despite valiant efforts to extinguish it, the blaze burned out of
control and began detonating ammunition stored in and around the Regiment's
vehicle fleet. The resulting shower of
shrapnel and unexploded ordnance forced the evacuation of the entire compound
and caused extensive damage.
Some fifty Blackhorse troopers suffered
injuries that day, a number that would have been far higher had it not been for
numerous individual acts of heroism and the Regiment's disciplined response to
the emergency. Miraculously, there were
no fatalities.
Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf,
Commander-in-Chief of the United States Central Command, visited the
Regiment. He presented the Soldier's
Medal for Heroism to three Blackhorse soldiers:
Major Ricky Lynch
Staff Sergeant Charles Rogers
Private Eric Tomlinson
As the Regiment returned from the Gulf in
September 1991 it had to confront this period of change with an odd mixture of
uncertainty and unpredictability. The
"good guys" and "bad guys" could not be identified, as
before. In a world wracked by religious
and ethnic passion, economic rivalry, and the frustrated aspirations of
hundreds of millions of people, the prospects for lasting peace and harmony
seemed remote. Prudent nations and wise
soldiers would "keep their powder dry".
Cease-Fire
(
WAS INACTIVATED
It is always a time of great sorrow when a
Regiment with such distinction is ordered to furl its colors. As the military was down sizing, the Regiment
was inactivated, but not for long.
THE BEST OF THE BEST,
ALLONS!
NOW TRAINS TODAY'S ARMY
ACTIVATED
The Regiment now serves as the opposing force
(OPFOR) in exercises designed to train Army battalion and brigade task forces
in tactical and operational level skills under near-combat conditions. The
Regiment formerly publishes the "Red Thrust Star", a quarterly
magazine to disseminate accurate and current information regarding the
doctrine, organization, equipment, and tactics of all potential adversary
military forces.
Most knowledgeable leaders and soldiers
alike, consider the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment the best-trained mechanized
force in the world. Continuing in the
NTC tradition of Lead, Train, Win, the Blackhorse stands ready to respond to
any mission to which it may be called.
NOTE:
Famous writer Tom Clancy wrote a book entitled Executive Order,
in which he mentions the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment as being the premier regiment
in the
Commanders of the 11th ACR
1st Colonel Francis Moore 1901 - 1903
2nd Colonel Earl D. Thomas 1903 - 1907
3rd Colonel James Parker 1907 - 1913
4th Colonel James Lockett 1913 - 1915
5th Colonel N.T. McClure 1915 - 1916
6th Colonel James Erwin 1916 - 1918
7th Colonel Claude E. Sweeze 1918 – 1920
8th Colonel John M. Jenkins 1920 - 1923
9th Colonel Herbert J. Brees 1923 - 1926
10th Colonel Leon B. Kromer 1926 - 1928
11th Colonel Rogers S. Fitch 1928 - 1930
12th Colonel Ben Lear 1930 - 1932
13th Colonel R.H. Parker 1932 - 1935
14th Colonel Troup Miller 1935 - 1938
15th Colonel Hommer M. Grominger 1938 - 1940
16th Colonel Harold Raynor 1940 - 1942
17th Colonel B. Marrow 1942 - 1943
18th Colonel William R.H. Reinberg
1943 - 1944
19th Colonel William R.H. Chandler
1944
20th Colonel Andrew A. Frierson 1944 - 1946
21st Colonel William S. Biddle
1946 - 1948
22nd Colonel Chester Willingham 1951
23rd Colonel Brainard S. Cook 1951 - 1952
24th Colonel Carl N. Smith 1952 - 1954
25th Colonel B.W. Heckmeyer 1954 - 1955
26th Colonel Arthur D. Pointer 1955 - 1956
27th Colonel Allen D. Hulse 1956 - 1958
28th Colonel James W. Snee 1958 - 1959
29th Colonel Walter Greenwood 1959 - 1960
30th Colonel Robert L. Erlenbush 1960 - 1961
31st Colonel George M. Seignious II 1961 - 1963
32nd Colonel
33rd Colonel Donald P. Boyer 1964 - 1965
34th
Colonel William Cobb
SGM Arthur Hawthorne
35th
Colonel Roy Farley
1st RCSM Donald E. Horn 1967
36th
Colonel Jack MacFarlane
New Rank of Regimental Command Sergeant
Major (RCSM)
1st RCSM Donald E. Horn 1967 - 1968
37th
Colonel Leonard Holder, Killed in
1st RCSM Donald E. Horn 1968
38th
Colonel Charles Gorder, Wounded
1st RCSM Donald E. Horn
2nd RCSM Daniel J. Mulcahey, Wounded 1968
*39th Colonel George S. Patton Jr.
2nd RCSM Daniel J. Mulcahey
3rd RCSM Paul W. Squires 1968 -
1969
40th Colonel James Leach
4th RCSM Donald E. Horn 1969
*41st Colonel Donn A. Starry, Wounded
4th RCSM Donald E. Horn 1970
42nd
Colonel John L. Gerrity
5th RCSM Hiram Harrison 1970
43rd
Colonel Wallace Nutting 1971
5th RCSM Hiram Harrison
Reflagging:
14th ACR to the 11th ACR in
44th
Colonel Egbert Clark III 1972 – 1973
Last
45th Colonel Robert L.
Schweitzer 1973 - 1974
6th RCSM Charles Cowen
46th
Colonel John L. Ballantyne 1974 - 1976
6th RCSM Charles Cowen
47th
Colonel Crosbie E. Saint 1976 - 1978
6th RCSM Charles Cowen
7th RCSM John Stephens
48th
Colonel Robert Sunnell 1978 –1979
7th RCSM John Stephens 1978 - 1979
49th
Colonel John S. Crow 1979 - 1982
7th RCSM John Stephens 1979 - 1980
8th RCSM A.C. Cotton 1980 - 1982
50th
Colonel Frederick Franks 1982 - 1984
8th RCSM A. C. Cotton 1982 - 1983
9th RCSM Robert Williams
1983 - 1984
51st
Colonel Joe Driskell 1984 - 1986
9th RCSM Robert Williams 1984 - 1986
52nd
Colonel Thomas E. White
1986 - 1988
10th RCSM Mark Grezbski
1986 - 1988
53rd
Colonel John Abrams 1988 - 1990
11th RCSM Jake Fryer 1988 - 1990
54th
Colonel A. J. Bacevich 1990 - 1992
12th RCSM Earl J. Williams 1990 - 1992
55th
Colonel William S. Wallace 1992 - 1994
12th RCSM Earl J. Williams 1992 - 1994
Deactivated
56th
Colonel Terry L. Tucker, 11th ACR
Oct. 1994 - June 1996
Last Colonel of the 177th
Armor Brigade
13th RCSM Dennis E. Webster, 11th
ACR 1994 -
March 1996
Last CSM of the 177th Armor
Brigade
14th RCSM
57th
Colonel Guy C. Swan III June
1996 - June 1998
14th RCSM
58th
Colonel John D. Rosenberger June
1998 - June 2000
14th RCSM
59th
Colonel H. Mike Davis
Last Colonel of the 60th
Guards Motorized Rifle Division
15th RCSM Steve Flood
Last CSM of the 60th Guards
Motorized Rifle Division
60th
Colonel Joseph A. Moore
First Colonel,11th Divisional
Tactical Group (OPFOR)
15th RCSM Steve Flood
First CSM of the 11th
Divisional Tactical Group (OPFOR)
61st
Colonel Peter C. Bayer, Jr.
Second Colonel, 11th
Divisional Tactical Group (OPFOR)
16th RCSM Ricky A. Pring
Second CSM, 11th Divisional
Tactical Group (OPFOR)
1st,
3rd and Currant Honorary Colonel of the Regiment - 41st Colonel Donn
A. Starry
2nd
Honorary Colonel of the Regiment - 39th Colonel George S. Patton Jr.
1st
-- Current Honorary Regimental Command Sergeant Major - 1st
& 4th Regimental Command Sergeant Major Donald E. Horn
11th
Armored Cavalry
(THE
BLACKHORSE REGIMENT)
CAMPAIGN
PARTICIPATION CREDIT
Philippine Insurrection Vietnam
Counteroffensive, Phase III
Mexican Expedition Tet Counteroffensive
Counteroffensive, Phase V
World War II Counteroffensive,
Phase VI
Ardennes-Alsace Sanctuary
Counteroffensive
Gulf
War
Air Troop
additionally entitled to:
Consolidation I
Consolidation II
All elements of
the 2nd Squadron each additionally entitled to:
Consolidation I
Consolidation II
Cease-Fire
DECORATIONS
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered BINH LONG-BIEN HOA
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered FISH HOOK
Republic of Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered
Republic of Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered
Republic of Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered
Air Troop
additionally entitled to:
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered PHOUC TUY-LONG KHANH
Republic of Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered
Headquarters
Troop, 1st Squadron; Troop C; Company D; and the Howitzer
Presidential Unit
Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered HAU NGHIA-BINH DUONG
Troop A
additionally entitled to:
Presidential Unit
Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered HAU NGHIA-BINH DOUNG
Republic of Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered
Troop B
additionally entitled to:
Presidential Unit
Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered GIA RAY
Presidential Unit
Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered HAU NGHIA-BINH DOUNG
Headquarters
Troop, 2nd Squadron; Troop E; Troop G; and the Howitzer
Republic of Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered
Troop F and
Company H each additionally entitled to:
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered AN LOC
Republic of Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered
Headquarters Troop,
3rd Squadron, additionally entitled to:
Presidential Unit
Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered DUC HOA
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered PHOUC TUY-LONG KHANH
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered AN LOC
Meritorious Unit
Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered EUROPEAN THEATER
Meritorious Unit
Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered
French Croix de
Guerre with Palm, World War II, Streamer embroidered MOSELLE-SARRE RIVERS
Troop I
additionally entitled to:
Presidential Unit
Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered DUC HOA
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered PHOUC TUY-LONG KHANH
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered AN LOC
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered
Meritorious Unit
Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered
French Croix de
Guerre with Palm, World War II, Streamer embroidered MOSELLE-SARRE RIVERS
Troop K
additionally entitled to:
Presidential Unit Citation
(Army), Streamer embroidered
Presidential Unit
Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered DUC HOA
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered PHOUC TUY-LONG KHANH
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered AN LOC
Meritorious Unit Commendation
(Army), Streamer embroidered
French Croix de
Guerre with Palm, World War II, Streamer embroidered, MOSELLE-SARRE RIVERS
Troop L
additionally entitled to:
Presidential Unit
Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered DUC HOA
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered PHOUC TUY-LONG KHANH
Meritorious Unit
Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered
French Croix de
Guerre with Palm, World War II, Streamer embroidered MOSELLE-SARRE RIVERS
Company M and
Howitzer
Presidential Unit
Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered DUC HOA
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered PHOUC TUY-LONG KHANH
Valorous Unit Award,
Streamer embroidered AN LOC
Meritorious Unit
Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered
BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:
ROBERT L. DILWORTH
The Adjutant General
(Melody is from “Bonnie Blue
Flag” of the Civil War era and/or “Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair.”
Revised by: LTC Robert B. Akam
ALLONS!
We are the Blackhorse Troopers, the finest in
the land;
We fight for right and use our might, to free
our fellow man,
Our girls wear yellow ribbons, as pretty as can
be;
They’re Troopers too and loyal through, we’re in
the Cavalry.
REFRAIN:
Allons! Allons! The Pride of the Cavalry
The Best damn Regiment that you will ever see.
So gather round ye troopers, a story we must
tell;
About the Blackhorse Regiment, its servitude in
hell.
We’ve fought for freedom bravely, with honor and
acclaim,
We are the Eleventh Cavalry and Blackhorse is
our name.
REFRAIN
In nineteen hundred zero one, the Regiment was
born
Our destiny to serve and fight on far off foreign
shores.
The
Then chased the bandit Villa down into the
southern sun.
REFRAIN
In World War I we trained the men on bases here
at home;
And when they fought on distant shores;
Blackhorse tradition shone.
In World War II the horse was put to pasture
with our thanks;
Instead of horses Blackhorse Troopers now were
issued tanks.
REFRAIN
Our horse is made of Iron, eats gas instead of
hay;
Has first round hits, no snaffle bits, and
sabers are passé.
We wade through mud with guts and blood, and
keep our country free;
With shout and song and
REFRAIN
We fought in
The enemy defeated, peace settled through the
land;
Again the Eleventh Cavalry, had strengthened
freedoms stand.
REFRAIN
Then we went to
Our role was training friends to stand against
the Communist Bear.
Again our girls were waiting, bravely as could
be;
Allons and on towards peace we go, in glory live
to see.
REFRAIN
In nineteen hundred seventy two, the
The Eleventh
Freedom was our mission, fighting was our fame;
We were the Blackhorse Troopers as professional
as they came.
REFRAIN
Patrols along the lonely trace, of freedom’s far
frontier,
Our vigilance rewarded after years of sweat and
tears;
November ninth, in eighty-nine, the Iron Curtain
falls
With Blackhorse troopers there to witness
liberty for all.
REFRAIN
Once the protector of
Down
Masters of Maneuver, we know the Desert Sands,
The BLUFOR comes 10 times a year, to make a
futile stand.
REFRAIN
At home as well as foreign soil, were ever
freedom stands;
You’ll find a Blackhorse trooper there, to help
his fellow man.
Our guidon’s raised in honor, our glasses held
on high;
Allons and on towards peace we go, in glory live
and die.
REFRAIN
BLACKHORSE PUNCH
On
In December of that year, the Regiment deployed to the
jungles of the
The regiment arrived in
On
Following its withdrawal from
The
The Regiment then entered
a flowery RHINE
WINE...
The Regiment receives its Shoulder Insignia and becomes
a legion. The Blackhorse arrived in
to keep our VEHICLIES and
TANKS running
On
For the cavalry troopers who served during the Persian
Gulf War we add NEAR - BEER
since it was the "hardest stuff" our Muslim allies would allow us to
drink in their country.
Today, the Blackhorse serves as the Army's premier
training force. The
11th ACR’s Regimental Prayer
Lord God,
As you have called us to this Regiment,
help us now to serve it with
selflessness and courage.
Strengthen us to persevere
In the soldierly virtues of Saint
George, our patron.
Guide us always in the discharge of our
duties.
Show us the way to true peace
And grant us the wisdom to pursue it.
Watch over us, Father,
As we face the trials, that awaits us.
This we pray in Your Name.
Amen.
Regimental
Toasts & Responses
Ladies and Gentlemen: Please CHARGE YOUR GLASSES
AND STAND.
TOAST:
To the
RESPONSE:
To
TOAST: To
the President of the
RESPONSE:
To the Commander-in-Chief
TOAST: For
100+ Years of Faithful Service to our Nation:
RESPONSE:
To the Blackhorse Regiment
TOAST: To
Our Fallen Comrades
RESPONSE:
To Our Comrades
Gentlemen, Seat the Ladies
TOAST: To
Our Lovely Ladies
RESPONSE:
To Our Ladies
FIDDLERS
GREEN
Halfway
down the trail to hell
In a
shady meadow green,
Are
the souls of all the dead troopers camped,
Near
a good old time canteen,
And
this eternal resting place
Is
known as Fiddler’s Green.
Marching
past, straight through to hell
The
Infantry are seen, accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery
and Marines.
For
none but shades of cavalry
Dismount
at Fiddler’s Green.
Though
some go curving down the trail
To
seek a warmer scene,
No
trooper ever gets to hell,
Ere
he empties his canteen;
And
so rides back to drink again’
With
friends at Fiddler’s Green.
And
so, when men and horses go down
Beneath
a saber keen,
Or in
a roaring charge or fierce melee
You
stop a bullet clean,
When
the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just
empty your canteen,
And
put your pistol to your head
And
go to Fiddler’s Green.
Our Fallen Comrades
Tribute
(1776-Present)
(Table setting)
The Musket
The War of
The Rocking Chair
World Wars I and II were the most devastating wars in human history. Millions of lives were lost in defense of the
world’s freedom. This rocking chair
represents the thousands of mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers who
waited at home for 418,131 Americans who would never return.
The Red Rose
Communism from the
North brought war to the
The Glass of Wine
The Vietnam War was
one of the most difficult wars in which our country has fought. With political views differing greatly at
home, our American soldiers did their duty for ten long years. Direct
The Yellow Ribbon
The yellow ribbon
represents our nation’s hopes and the prayers of the thousands of families and
friends who asked for the safe return of their loved ones from
The Simple Writing
Pad And Pen:
This simple writing pad and pen represents all the
letters, post cards, birth announcements, birthday cards, anniversary cards and
holiday notes with pictures of loved ones that will never be written or
answered because of cowardly terrorist attacks. The attacks against the
Pentagon,
The Lit Candle
A lit candle was
placed in the window to serve as a homing light for soldiers during the
American Revolution and our Civil War.
Often the battles took place near their homes and the families would
place a lit candle in the window to help show them the way back home. Today, it serves as a reminder for us, of the
ultimate sacrifice our fallen comrades and their families have made to preserve
the precious freedom we cherish today. The candle’s glow reflects the hopes and
prayers of our entire nation as we fight this war against terrorism; a war that
has already left vacant chairs and will ultimately leave more in our
households.
As a small tribute, I
ask that we observe a moment of silence and think back on your family members
who have served in
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