SOLDIER PROFILE HAROLD “HAL” G. MOORE - END OF THE VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
An LTC during the early phase of the Vietnam War, Hal Moore earned fame for his leadership during the Battle of Ia Drang, the U.S. Army’s first major combat engagement in Vietnam.
Graduating from West Point shortly after WWII, Moore served in the Korean War. In 1964, he participated in the training exercises of the experimental units tasked with testing the Army’s new airmobility doctrines.
Moore left for Vietnam in late summer 1965, joining the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Beginning 14 NOV 1965, Moore put his experience with airmobile tactics to good use as he led the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment in the Battle of Ia Drang. #1stCavalry@USArmy@TRADOC
The engagement at Ia Drang pushed the limits of Army forces and was the first large-scale combat test of new airmobility doctrines. Moore led his battalion on a helicopter-borne air assault of LZ X-Ray, a 100 yard-long clearing at the base of one of Vietnam’s famous massifs.
Within 20 minutes of landing, Moore’s unit was swarmed by a tide of enemy soldiers. They held out against overwhelming odds during the three-day battle, a bloodbath in which Army forces employed their modern technology to great effect against a numerically superior enemy.
For his actions in the battle, Moore was promoted to COL and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross; through 1966, Moore continued to lead from the front, earning the Bronze Star and numerous South Vietnamese decorations. #WeWereSoldiers#HalMoore#MilitaryHistory#Airmobile
Moore continued to rise through the Army’s ranks, eventually retiring in 1977 as an LTG. In 1992, he published a memoir recounting the Battle of Ia Drang, entitled “We Were Soldiers Once… and Young,” which was adapted into the famous 2002 blockbuster film “We Were Soldiers.”
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U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE COMMAND, VIETNAM (MACV) - END OF THE VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION –
The main command instrument for U.S. forces in Vietnam, MACV presided over U.S. combat involvement in the conflict and became synonymous with the U.S. war effort.
MACV was formed in FEB 1962 to complement the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG). In the ensuing years combat troop activity escalated to the point that MACV absorbed MAAG in 1964, becoming the chief U.S. command in Vietnam. #Armyhistory#USArmy#TRADOC#VietnamWar
MACV was in principal control over all U.S. forces in Vietnam, under the leadership of a U.S. Army General. MACV’s commanders were Paul D. Harkins (1962 – 1964), William C. Westmoreland (1964 – 1968), Creighton Abrams (1968 – 1972), and Frederick C. Weyand (1972 – 1973).
RADIOMEN AND BATTLEFIELD COMMUNICATIONS - END OF VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION #VietnamWar
One of the most enduring images of the Vietnam War is that of the radioman on patrol, his back-mounted radio providing vital communications in the Vietnamese jungle. @USArmy
During the Vietnam War, the back-mounted AN/PRC-25 “Prick 25” (succeeded by the AN/PRC-77) was an essential piece of battlefield tactical communications equipment. With a range of 3–5 miles, the PRC-25 allowed units to communicate with each other and with rear elements. @TRADOC
The role of combat radioman was one of the riskiest in Vietnam. Its 10-foot antenna made radiomen prime targets, and the role famously (if perhaps doubtful) earned a reputation for having an average firefight survival time of just 5 seconds. #Armyhistory#USArmy#TRADOC
The U.S. Tenth Army invaded Okinawa in the Ryukyus Islands, which the Japanese considered home territory. The U.S. Tenth Army, commanded by LT Gen Simon B. Buckner Jr., included the Army XXIV Corps and Marine III Amphibious Corps.
The campaign began on 26 Mar 1945 when the 77th Inf Division landed on the small Kerama Islands near Okinawa, after which the U.S. established forward bases to support the next phase of the campaign.
Operation ICEBERG, the amphibious assault on Okinawa itself, took place on 1 April when with the Army's 7th and 96th Inf DVNs, and the 1st and 6th Marine DVNs landed on Okinawa. The 27th ID followed ashore on 9 April.
CREATION OF AIRMOBILE DOCTRINE - END OF THE VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
One of the most iconic legacies of the Vietnam War was the U.S. Army’s adoption of new airmobile operation techniques, applying cutting-edge helicopter technology to the modern battlefield.
The idea for airmobile warfare emerged from experimentation with helicopters during the Korean War. After the end of the conflict in Korea, doctrine was developed to combine the speed of motorized infantry units with the all-terrain mobility of helicopter technology. #ArmyHistory
The 11th ABD was reactivated in 1963 as the 11th Air Assault Division (Test), with the purpose of testing these new developments in airmobile doctrine. The first combat airmobile unit was the 1st CD (Airmobile), which arrived in Vietnam in September 1965. #USArmy#TRADOC
UH-1 IROQUOIS “HUEY” HELICOPTER - END OF THE VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
The Vietnam War’s most iconic helicopter, the UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” was a ubiquitous transport and gunship which came to represent the conflict in the public’s imagination.
First introduced in the 1950s, the U.S. Army soon adopted the UH-1 helicopter for use in a variety of roles. Its original designation was "HU" for "helicopter, utility" (hence the sobriquet "HUey"), which was later changed to "UH" for "utility helicopter."
The UH-1 and its variants were the backbone of the Army’s new airmobile doctrine and performed a variety of roles. These included close air support gunships, assault aircraft for infantrymen, basic transport functions, and "air ambulances" for medical evacuation. @TRADOC
HAPPY MLB OPENING DAY – BASEBALL AND THE U.S. ARMY
The U.S. Army has a long and close relationship with “America’s Pastime,” with many of baseball’s greatest players serving in the Army, either before entering the Major Leagues or during the midst of their careers.
Sporting legends like Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Ty Cobb all served their country as soldiers in the U.S. Army. To celebrate baseball’s opening day, here are some facts about the Army’s relationship with America’s Pastime: #TRADOC#OpeningDay#PlayBall#MLB
Although his name has been associated with the invention of baseball, Civil War Major General Abner Doubleday does not have any confirmable relationship to the sport. Baseball is instead probably descended the English game “rounders.” #Baseball#MilitaryHistory#ArmyandBaseball