Valorous Unit Ribbon

During A Troop's deployment in Southeast Asia, the Silver Spurs received two Valorous Unit Awards. The first was in defense of Saigon and Long Binh during the TET of 1968. The second Valorous Unit Award was issued for its efforts during the Cambodian Incursion while OPCON to the 1st Cav Division in 1970.

The Valorous Unit Award is the Army's second highest unit award, ranking behind the Presidential Unit Citation. The award is considered the unit equivalent of the Silver Star, and is awarded to units that display extraordinary heroism in combat.

Please note that other units of the 3rd Squadron also received this second citation along with our attached maintenance and avionics sections which provided invaluable support to the individual Troops.

I am honored to have been a member of A Troop during the latter.

Below, in part, are transcripts of those very prestigious unit citations.

 

Update: On 9 Nov 09, LTC Ward informed us that the 3-17th Cav was again awarded the Valorous Unit Award for Operation Iraqi Freedom for their deployment Apr 07-Jul 08. I hope to get a copy of their award for future posting.

Roger "Bear" Young

[NOTE: The following is an excerpt from General Order 48, 1968] 4. The Valorous Unit Award is awarded by direction of the Secretary of the Army to: THE 199TH INFANTRY BRIGADE (SEPARATE) (LIGHT) and its assigned and attached units: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light) 2d Battalion 3d Infantry 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry 2nd Battalion, 40th Artillery 7th Support Battalion 87th Engineer Company Troop D, 17th Cavalry Troop A, 3d Squadron, 17th Cavalry 40th Public Information Detachment 44th Military History Detachment 49th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) Company F, 51st Infantry (LRP) 71st Infantry Detachment (LRP) 11th Combat Tracker Team (Prov) (redesignated and reorganized as the 76th Infantry Detachment) 179th Military Intelligence Detachment 152nd Military Police Platoon 298th Signal Platoon 503d Chemical Detachment 856th Radio Research Detachment The 199TH INFANTRY BRIGADE (SEPARATE) (LIGHT) and its assigned and attached units distinguished themselves by extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations during the period 31 January to 19 February 1968 in support of Saigon and Long Binh Post during the TET Offensive. In the early hours of 31 January, insurgent forces launched savage attacks against Long Binh by firing rockets at II Field Force Vietnam and Bien Hoa Air Base. Brigade artillery promptly and effectively reacted to the attack, destroying two rocket bases and silencing the rest with voluminous barrage. Thwarted in this aspect of their attempt, the Viet Cong then initiated well-organized and determined attacks upon Long Binh and the base camp of the brigade. In response clerks, cooks, mechanics and other support troops of the 199TH INFANTRY BRIGADE (SEPARATE) (LIGHT) manned the unit's perimeter while maneuver elements aggressively engaged and pursued enemy TAGO 311A [Next page] GO 48 forces. During the fighting of Long Binh, the brigade's firepower and indomitable spirit were instrumental in depriving concentrated enemy forces of progression into the city of Saigon. The resourcefulness and tactical expertise of unit commanders enabled units to retain constant contact with the insurgents and inflict numerous casualties which totally demoralized the enemy and destroyed his initiative. The men of the 199TH INFANTRY BRIGADE (SEPARATE) (LIGHT) displayed extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty which are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect distinct credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States....

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam APO San Francisco 96375 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 3560 27 December 1971 AWARD OF THE VALOROUS UNIT AWARD TC 439. The following AWARD is announced. By direction of the Secretary of the Army, under the provisions of paragraph 202.1g (2), AR 672-5-1, the Valorous Unit Award is awarded to the following named units of the United States Army for extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations during the period indicated: 3D ARMORED SQUADRON, 17TH AIR CAVALRY, 12TH AVIATION GROUP (COMBAT), 1ST AVIATION BRIGADE, and its assigned and attached units: Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3d Armored Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry Troop A, 3d armored Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry Troop B, 3d armored Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry Troop C, 3d armored Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry 369th Transportation Corps Maintenance Detachment 575th Transportation Corps Maintenance Detachment 576th Transportation Corps Maintenance Detachment 812th Signal Corps Avionics Detachment 813th Signal Corps Avionics Detachment 816th Signal Corps Avionics Detachment 3d Squadron, 17th air Cavalry Tactical Air Control Party, 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron The citation reads as follows: The 3D ARMORED SQUADRON, 17TH AIR CAVALRY and its assigned and attached units distinguished themselves by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force from 6 May 1970 to 29 June 1970 in the Republic of Cambodia. When the elements of the United States military forces were moved into Cambodia in early May, the 3D ARMORED SQUADRON, 17TH AIR CAVALRY was one of the first units to cross the border. The squadron embarked on a continous period of operations characterized by an extremely aggressive and determined effort to find, fix, and destroy the enemy. The squadron's aero-scouts and aero-weapons helicopters flew daily reconnaissance missions in an effort to locate enemy units, base camps, caches, and lines of communication and infiltration. The squadron's aero-rifle platoons were inserted into suspected enemy controlled areas to search them out and provide detailed intelligence. Throughout this period, against a numerically superior force, the squadron inflicted extremely heavy casualties on the enemy compiling a most enviable combat record. The determination, devotion to duty, indomitable courage and extraordinary courage demonstrated by the members of the 3D SQUADRON, 17TH AIR CAVALRY and its assigned and attached units is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon themselves, their units, and the Armed Forces of the United States.

[I did not receive the second page with the signature block ...Roger Young]

 

3-17th Cav Awarded Valorous Unit Award for Operation Iraqi Freedom 9 Nov 2009 I'm LTC Jim Ward - the former XO/S-3 for 3-17 Cav during our 2007-08 Iraq deployment. Thought you might be interested to know that 3-17 Cav was again awarded the Valorous Unit Award for OIF 07-09 (our rotation - May 07 - Aug 08). Best to Trapper and the others you are in contact with. Hope all is well with you and all! V/r, James E. Ward LTC, USA   VUA - 5 May 07 to 5 Aug 08 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3d Squadron, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (to include subordinate units: Troop A, 3d Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment; Troop B, 3d Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment; Troop C, 3d Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment; Troop D, 3d Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment; Troop E, 3d Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment; Detachment, Company B, 277th Support Battalion)