8th Regiment History
The History of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment
PFC Bullins, Christopher
Charlie Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment
5 May 2016
Abstract
The 8th Cavalry has a history that spans from when settlers were still pushing west, on till the present day. Nearly over 140 years with multiple wars and conflicts have forged the history of the 8th Cavalry Regiment. The linage can be traced back to the date of 28th of July, 1866, when settlers were expanding westward and the cavalry was assigned to protect them and combat hostile Indians. The regiment have been involved in and fought honorably in the Indian Wars, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since the year 1886 ninety-nine soldiers have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The History of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment
The history of the 8th Regiment
The history of the regiment is a great story to be told. History full of heroes and conflicts. The 8th cavalry regiment can find its birthplace in the San Francisco Bay, California on the 28th of July, 1866. Over 140 years the regiment has been involved in many battles including the Indian Wars, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Indian Wars The 8th Cavalry Regiment was first tested in action during in the American Western frontier during the Indian Wars. It took part in many campaigns against the mighty Comanche and Apache warriors. During this time the regiment won its first streamers in the state of Arizona. Within the first three years the regiment was involved in countless battles and eight men of the regiment was awarded the Medal of Honor. By end of the Indian Wars a total of 91 men would go on to earn the Medal of Honor. During this time period of its history, the regiment went on to serve in Oregon, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Texas. During the period of the years 1905 to 1916 the 8th Regiment went on to patriciate in an
expedition to the Philippines and again another expedition against Mexican bandits that were terrorizing settlers. At the turn of the 20th century the regiment underwent many organizational changes. This included assignments to the 15th and 1st Cavalry Divisions. The regiment was then changed to an infantry unit. The regiment would go onto to be disbanded for the first time on 1st of February, 1928.
World War II Upon the United States entering World War II, the 8th Cavalry Regiment was asked to serve its country again. They were dispatched to the Pacific Theater, where they took part in the fighting at New Guinea and Leyte. There the regiment invaded of the Bismarck Archipelago. During the last year of the war the regiment won the Presidential Unit Citation for their efforts in liberating Luzon. After the surrender of the Japan and at end of the war the, 8th Cavalry Regiment was moved to the 3rd Imperial Guard Regiment Barracks in Tokyo.
Korean War The 8th Cavalry Regiment entered into the Korean War on 30th June 1950, at the Port of Pohang-dong on the southeastern coast of Korea. It was in Korea the regiment had four more soldiers earn the Medal of Honor. The regiment was involved in many armed conflicts from June, 1950 till the end of the Korean War. During their time in Korea the regiment earned another Presidential Unit Citation, nine Korean campaign streamers, multiple awards from allied nations for the actions of the regiment. For a second time the regiment was again disbanded in 1957.
Vietnam War On April 1, 1968 the regiment would be once again required to serve its country and reactivated and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. The 8th Cavalry Regiment entered into the Vietnam conflict and participated in numerous campaigns in South Vietnam and Cambodia. The regiment was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations, the Valorous Unit Citation, and four soldiers were awarded with the nation's highest honor, the Medal of Honor. The regiment was awarded 16 streamers for campaigns, this included a streamer for actions related to the Tet Counteroffensive. In 1973 the regiment was placed in-active again and till it’s reconstitution in 1977.
Desert Storm The regiment returned state side, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, under 1st Cavalry Division. With the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the regiment deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In August 1990, the regiment was moved to Southwest Asia as part of the Allied response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. 8th Cavalry was involved in a total of five combat missions, culminating in a move over 300 kilometers in 2 days. For its actions the unit was awarded their 2nd Valorous Unit Award and three campaign streamers. The 8th Cavalry Regiment returned to Fort Hood.
The Beginning of 6th Squadron and Operation Iraqi Freedom III The 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment was created as new element of the regiment. The squadron was constituted on May 28th, 2004. The 6th squadron would call Fort Stewart’s new 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. The squadron be an Armored Ground Reconnaissance element for the brigade. The squadron was deployed in January, 2005 to Iraq, less than nine months after its creation. Upon entering Iraq, the squadron conducted a relief in place alongside of 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment. They conducted counter insurgency missions in the urban and rural areas just south of Baghdad. Once these missions defeated the insurgent activities, the squadron’s tasked to conduct the crucial training of the newly formed 5th Iraqi Army Brigade. The Iraqi Brigade was trained and handed over to other US forces to conduct operations in and around the Green Zone. The 6th Squadron was than tasked to provide security to the Airport Road area. The area was widely known to be the most dangerous stretch of road in Baghdad. With the help of Iraqi Security Forces, the squadron eliminated nearly all Anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF) along the route. With conducting heavy intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in surrounding neighborhoods, AIF activity in the sector was greatly reduced. The squadron was given a relief in place in January 2006 and shortly after returned home to Fort Stewart. The squadron, during their time Iraq, lost seven soldiers. Currently the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment is under the command of the re-commissioned 2nd Brigade (formally 4th brigade), 3rd Infantry Division. The squadron’s five troops are currently training and preparing for future Regionally Aligned Forces missions and operations elsewhere.
Conclusion The history of the 6th Squadron and 8th Cavalry Regiment reads like something out of a movie or great war book. It was a history full of victories and loses. It has grown greatly since the regiment’s birth during the frontier days. It has many more monumental places in history with standing of the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon the United States Army.
References
Theophilus Francs Rodenbough BVT. Brigadier General, US Army, and William L. Haskins Major First Artillery, US Army, The Army of The United States Historical Sketches of Staff and Line With Portraits of Generals-in-Chief, Maynard, Merrill, & Co. Copyright, 1896 by Maynard, Merrill, & CO. p.268-279 Retrieved from online library http://www.history.army.mil/books/R&H/R&H-8CV.htm
6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment History ( 2016, April 6) Retrived from http://www.stewart.army.mil/units/history.asp?id=173
8th Cavalry Regiment (n.d.) In Wikipedia. Retreived ) 5 May 2016 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8th_Cavalry_Regiment#Current_status
PFC Bullins, Christopher
Charlie Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment
5 May 2016
Abstract
The 8th Cavalry has a history that spans from when settlers were still pushing west, on till the present day. Nearly over 140 years with multiple wars and conflicts have forged the history of the 8th Cavalry Regiment. The linage can be traced back to the date of 28th of July, 1866, when settlers were expanding westward and the cavalry was assigned to protect them and combat hostile Indians. The regiment have been involved in and fought honorably in the Indian Wars, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since the year 1886 ninety-nine soldiers have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The History of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment
The history of the 8th Regiment
The history of the regiment is a great story to be told. History full of heroes and conflicts. The 8th cavalry regiment can find its birthplace in the San Francisco Bay, California on the 28th of July, 1866. Over 140 years the regiment has been involved in many battles including the Indian Wars, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Indian Wars The 8th Cavalry Regiment was first tested in action during in the American Western frontier during the Indian Wars. It took part in many campaigns against the mighty Comanche and Apache warriors. During this time the regiment won its first streamers in the state of Arizona. Within the first three years the regiment was involved in countless battles and eight men of the regiment was awarded the Medal of Honor. By end of the Indian Wars a total of 91 men would go on to earn the Medal of Honor. During this time period of its history, the regiment went on to serve in Oregon, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Texas. During the period of the years 1905 to 1916 the 8th Regiment went on to patriciate in an
expedition to the Philippines and again another expedition against Mexican bandits that were terrorizing settlers. At the turn of the 20th century the regiment underwent many organizational changes. This included assignments to the 15th and 1st Cavalry Divisions. The regiment was then changed to an infantry unit. The regiment would go onto to be disbanded for the first time on 1st of February, 1928.
World War II Upon the United States entering World War II, the 8th Cavalry Regiment was asked to serve its country again. They were dispatched to the Pacific Theater, where they took part in the fighting at New Guinea and Leyte. There the regiment invaded of the Bismarck Archipelago. During the last year of the war the regiment won the Presidential Unit Citation for their efforts in liberating Luzon. After the surrender of the Japan and at end of the war the, 8th Cavalry Regiment was moved to the 3rd Imperial Guard Regiment Barracks in Tokyo.
Korean War The 8th Cavalry Regiment entered into the Korean War on 30th June 1950, at the Port of Pohang-dong on the southeastern coast of Korea. It was in Korea the regiment had four more soldiers earn the Medal of Honor. The regiment was involved in many armed conflicts from June, 1950 till the end of the Korean War. During their time in Korea the regiment earned another Presidential Unit Citation, nine Korean campaign streamers, multiple awards from allied nations for the actions of the regiment. For a second time the regiment was again disbanded in 1957.
Vietnam War On April 1, 1968 the regiment would be once again required to serve its country and reactivated and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. The 8th Cavalry Regiment entered into the Vietnam conflict and participated in numerous campaigns in South Vietnam and Cambodia. The regiment was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations, the Valorous Unit Citation, and four soldiers were awarded with the nation's highest honor, the Medal of Honor. The regiment was awarded 16 streamers for campaigns, this included a streamer for actions related to the Tet Counteroffensive. In 1973 the regiment was placed in-active again and till it’s reconstitution in 1977.
Desert Storm The regiment returned state side, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, under 1st Cavalry Division. With the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the regiment deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In August 1990, the regiment was moved to Southwest Asia as part of the Allied response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. 8th Cavalry was involved in a total of five combat missions, culminating in a move over 300 kilometers in 2 days. For its actions the unit was awarded their 2nd Valorous Unit Award and three campaign streamers. The 8th Cavalry Regiment returned to Fort Hood.
The Beginning of 6th Squadron and Operation Iraqi Freedom III The 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment was created as new element of the regiment. The squadron was constituted on May 28th, 2004. The 6th squadron would call Fort Stewart’s new 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. The squadron be an Armored Ground Reconnaissance element for the brigade. The squadron was deployed in January, 2005 to Iraq, less than nine months after its creation. Upon entering Iraq, the squadron conducted a relief in place alongside of 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment. They conducted counter insurgency missions in the urban and rural areas just south of Baghdad. Once these missions defeated the insurgent activities, the squadron’s tasked to conduct the crucial training of the newly formed 5th Iraqi Army Brigade. The Iraqi Brigade was trained and handed over to other US forces to conduct operations in and around the Green Zone. The 6th Squadron was than tasked to provide security to the Airport Road area. The area was widely known to be the most dangerous stretch of road in Baghdad. With the help of Iraqi Security Forces, the squadron eliminated nearly all Anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF) along the route. With conducting heavy intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in surrounding neighborhoods, AIF activity in the sector was greatly reduced. The squadron was given a relief in place in January 2006 and shortly after returned home to Fort Stewart. The squadron, during their time Iraq, lost seven soldiers. Currently the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment is under the command of the re-commissioned 2nd Brigade (formally 4th brigade), 3rd Infantry Division. The squadron’s five troops are currently training and preparing for future Regionally Aligned Forces missions and operations elsewhere.
Conclusion The history of the 6th Squadron and 8th Cavalry Regiment reads like something out of a movie or great war book. It was a history full of victories and loses. It has grown greatly since the regiment’s birth during the frontier days. It has many more monumental places in history with standing of the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon the United States Army.
References
Theophilus Francs Rodenbough BVT. Brigadier General, US Army, and William L. Haskins Major First Artillery, US Army, The Army of The United States Historical Sketches of Staff and Line With Portraits of Generals-in-Chief, Maynard, Merrill, & Co. Copyright, 1896 by Maynard, Merrill, & CO. p.268-279 Retrieved from online library http://www.history.army.mil/books/R&H/R&H-8CV.htm
6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment History ( 2016, April 6) Retrived from http://www.stewart.army.mil/units/history.asp?id=173
8th Cavalry Regiment (n.d.) In Wikipedia. Retreived ) 5 May 2016 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8th_Cavalry_Regiment#Current_status