4th Cavalry Regiment (United States) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 4th Cavalry |
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4th Cavalry Regiment coat of arms
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| Active | 1855–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Armored cavalry |
| Motto(s) | "Prepared and Loyal" |
| Engagements | American Civil War Indian Wars Philippine Insurrection World War II Vietnam War War in Southwest Asia Global War on Terrorism Iraq Campaign |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Edwin V. Sumner (1855–58) Joseph E. Johnston (1855–60) Robert E. Lee (1861) Ranald S. Mackenzie (1871–81) H. R. McMaster (1999–2002; 1st Squadron) |
| Insignia | |
| Regimental distinctive insignia |  |
The 4th Cavalry Regiment is a special unit in the United States Army. It is known for its long history, going all the way back to the mid-1800s. This regiment was one of the best at protecting settlers from American Indians on the Texas frontier.
Today, the 4th Cavalry is made up of different smaller groups called "squadrons." These squadrons are part of larger Army divisions. For example, the 1st Squadron is called "Quarterhorse" because of its "1/4 Cav" name. The 3rd Squadron is known as "Raiders." Several squadrons of the 4th Cavalry are now part of the 1st Infantry Division, while the 3rd Squadron is part of the 25th Infantry Division.
Contents
The Start of the 4th Cavalry
In 1855, the United States government saw that the Army needed more mounted soldiers, like those who rode horses. So, they created new cavalry units. The 1st Cavalry Regiment was formed on March 26, 1855, in Missouri.
Its first leader was Colonel Edwin Vose Sumner. His main jobs were to keep peace in Kansas, where groups disagreed about slavery, and to protect settlers from attacks by Cheyenne warriors.
Joining the Army
When the regiment was formed, some officers came from other Army units. Many new soldiers joined from civilian life. Posters promised good clothing, food, and medical care. A private soldier earned $12.00 a month.
Each company, a smaller group within the regiment, had horses of a special color. This helped soldiers find their group during battles. For example, Company B had gray horses, and Company G had black horses. Buglers, who played music to give commands, rode white horses.
New soldiers learned how to ride horses and fight as cavalrymen.
Early Missions and Conflicts
In 1855, the regiment was sent on an expedition against the Sioux people, but they were not directly involved in a major fight.
In 1856, the regiment worked to keep peace in Kansas. This area was known as "Bleeding Kansas" because of the violent conflicts between groups who wanted Kansas to be a slave state and those who wanted it to be a free state.
Later, in 1856, Cheyenne warriors attacked wagon trains, killing people and taking others. The Army decided to send the 1st Cavalry to deal with these attacks.
Fighting the Cheyenne in 1857
In May 1857, the 1st Cavalry, led by Colonel Edwin Vose Sumner, began a large mission against the Cheyenne. They split into two groups to cover a wide area in Kansas.
On July 29, 1857, the regiment found the Cheyenne near the Solomon River. Colonel Sumner gave a special command: "Sling carbines! Draw Sabers! Charge!" This was the first time sabers (long swords) were used in a battle in the West. The Cheyenne, who believed their holy men's magic protected them from guns, were surprised by the sabers. They quickly ran away.
The chase lasted about seven miles. Two soldiers were killed, and nine were wounded, including J.E.B. Stuart, who would later become a famous general in the Civil War. After this battle, the regiment continued to track the Cheyenne, destroying an abandoned village.
Before the American Civil War, Robert E. Lee, who would become a famous Confederate general, was the last commander of the 1st Cavalry in the U.S. Army. When the Civil War started in 1861, many officers from the 1st Cavalry became important leaders on both sides.
The Civil War
In 1861, the 1st Cavalry Regiment was renamed the 4th United States Cavalry Regiment. This was because it was the fourth oldest mounted regiment in the Army.
Most of the 4th Cavalry fought in the western parts of the war, in places like Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas. They fought against Confederate soldiers. Two companies also fought in Virginia in major battles like First Bull Run and Antietam.
The regiment fought bravely in many important battles, including Shiloh, Chickamauga, and Battle of Nashville.
Key Moments in the Civil War
Early in the war, the 4th Cavalry's companies were spread out. They performed important tasks like scouting ahead, protecting other units, and raiding enemy positions.
In 1862, a group of 4th Cavalry soldiers attacked and defeated a Confederate cavalry unit near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In 1863, another group captured an entire Confederate artillery unit and 300 prisoners near Shelbyville, Tennessee.
By 1864, the Union Army decided to bring its cavalry units together. The 4th Cavalry reunited and joined the attack on Nashville, Tennessee. They helped defeat the Confederate forces there. During this battle, Lieutenant Joseph Hedges of the 4th Cavalry bravely charged and captured an enemy artillery unit. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
In March 1865, the 4th Cavalry led a mission into Alabama to capture a Confederate supply base in Selma. They defeated Confederate cavalry and stormed the town, destroying important supplies and factories.
The regiment then moved east, capturing Montgomery, Alabama, and Columbus, Georgia. They were in Macon, Georgia, when the war ended. The 4th Cavalry also helped capture the Confederate President, Jefferson Davis.
Indian Wars: Protecting the Frontier
After the Civil War, in August 1865, the 4th Cavalry was sent to Texas. For the next 13 years, they guarded mail routes and settlements from Indian raids.
In 1870, Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie took command of the 4th Cavalry. His mission was to stop raids by Comanche and Kiowa people along the Texas frontier.
Mackenzie's Campaigns
In 1871, Mackenzie arrested three Kiowa leaders for a raid. One was killed trying to escape, and the others were imprisoned.
In August 1871, Mackenzie led an expedition against the Comanches. On October 10, he fought a group in Blanco Canyon, but they escaped.
The next summer, Mackenzie continued his search. On September 29, he surprised and destroyed a village of Comanches near Lefors, Texas. About 52 Indians were killed, and 124 were captured. This battle helped bring peace for a while.
In 1873, Mackenzie and five companies of the 4th Cavalry were sent to Fort Clark to stop raids by Kickapoo and Apache groups from Mexico. On May 18, 1873, Mackenzie led his soldiers across the Rio Grande into Mexico. They surprised and burned three villages, killing 19 Indians and capturing 41. This daring raid helped bring peace to the border. The movie Rio Grande is loosely based on this event.
When the Red River War began in 1874, the 4th Cavalry was very successful. On September 28, they found and destroyed five Comanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne villages in Palo Duro Canyon. They captured over 1,400 horses and mules, and many were killed to prevent the Indians from using them. This was a major blow to the tribes.
Later, in 1879, Mackenzie and the 4th Cavalry helped control the Utes in Colorado, making them move to a reservation without a fight.
In 1880, the 4th Cavalry moved to Arizona. They helped to make the Apaches surrender or flee to Mexico. From 1884 to 1886, they helped capture Geronimo, a famous Apache leader. Sergeant James T. Daniels of the 4th Cavalry received the Medal of Honor for his actions against the Apaches in 1890.
In 1891, parts of the regiment were stationed in California and became the first guardians of national parks like General Grant, Sequoia, and Yosemite National Park.
Fighting in the Philippines
After the Spanish–American War in 1898, the 4th Cavalry was sent to the Philippines to help defend against local fighters. They helped capture Manila and later marched on the enemy capital.
In 1899, the 4th Cavalry fought in the Battle of Paye and tried to capture the Philippine General, Emilio Aguinaldo. By 1901, the 4th Cavalry had fought in 119 battles and skirmishes in the Philippines before returning home.
In 1905, the regiment returned to the Philippines because of the Moro Rebellion. They fought in the southern islands. From March 5–8, 1906, the 4th Cavalry fought in the First Battle of Bud Dajo. Soldiers climbed a steep volcano to attack a fortified enemy position. It was a very tough fight, and nearly 1,000 Filipinos were killed. This battle is shown on the 4th Cavalry's Coat of Arms.
Early 1900s
In the early 1900s, the 4th Cavalry was stationed in places like South Dakota and Minnesota. From 1911 to 1913, they patrolled the Mexican border.
The regiment was in Schofield Barracks in Hawaii during World War I and did not fight in that war. In 1926, the famous composer John Philip Sousa wrote a march for the unit called "Riders for the Flag."
World War II: D-Day and Beyond
In 1939, World War II started in Europe. The 4th Cavalry Regiment changed from being a horse unit to a "Horse-Mechanized" unit, meaning they used both horses and vehicles. By 1942, all their horses were replaced with machines.
In 1943, the 4th Cavalry was sent to England to prepare for the Invasion of Normandy. They were renamed the 4th Cavalry Group, Mechanized.
Landing on D-Day
On June 6, 1944, D-Day, parts of the 4th Cavalry landed on the Îles Saint-Marcouf islands off the coast of France. Four soldiers swam ashore with knives to mark the beaches for landing boats. They were the first American soldiers to land in France on D-Day. They captured the islands without a fight, but 19 soldiers were hurt by enemy mines.
Later, near Utah Beach, a group from the 4th Cavalry ambushed a German convoy, causing the enemy to retreat.
Fighting in Europe
As American forces moved through France, the 4th Cavalry protected their sides. Near Cape de la Hague, they fought for five days and captured over 600 prisoners. The 4th Cavalry was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for their bravery in the Battle of Cherbourg.
In September 1944, the 4th Cavalry entered Germany. They faced tough German resistance in the Battle of Hürtgen Forest.
Battle of the Bulge
On December 16, 1944, the German army launched a surprise attack called the Battle of the Bulge. The 4th Cavalry fought fiercely from December 19–21 near the Roer River. They were ordered to capture the town of Bogheim. Despite heavy fog and many casualties, they drove the Germans out. For their bravery, the 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron received a Presidential Unit Citation.
The 4th Cavalry continued to fight, helping to block the German advance in Belgium. They helped defend a key road junction at Humain, stopping the German attack in that area.
As the war ended, the 4th Cavalry helped clear out German forces in the Harz Mountains. They were in Leipzig on VE Day, May 8, 1945, when the war in Europe ended.
After World War II
After the war, the 4th Cavalry helped with the occupation of Germany and Austria, keeping law and order. They were called the 4th Constabulary Regiment. This role ended in 1949.
Vietnam War: Armored Cavalry in the Jungle
Many believed that armored cavalry units would not do well in the thick jungles of South Vietnam. However, the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry (1-4 Cavalry) and 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry (3-4 Cavalry) proved them wrong. They showed that armored units could be very important in the Vietnam War.
1st Squadron in Vietnam
The 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, known as "Quarterhorse," arrived in Vietnam on October 7, 1965. On November 12, 1965, they faced their first major battle in the village of Bau Bang, fighting a large enemy unit. They fought off several attacks and defeated the enemy.
The squadron participated in many operations, including Birmingham and El Paso. On June 8, 1966, Troop A was ambushed but fought for five hours, causing heavy enemy losses. For their courage, Troop A received the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. The squadron also received a Presidential Unit Citation for other battles.
Throughout the war, the 1st Squadron fought in many campaigns, including the Tet Offensive. Troop D also provided helicopter support, acting as "air cavalry," a new idea at the time. The 1st Squadron earned many awards for its bravery.
3rd Squadron in Vietnam
The 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, known as "Mackenzie's Riders," arrived in Vietnam on March 24, 1966. They were based near Saigon. Troop C was especially good at using armored vehicles in the jungle.
The 3rd Squadron's main job was to protect roads and convoys, making sure supplies could move safely. They escorted thousands of vehicles each month. They also took part in large operations like Cedar Falls and Junction City.
During the Tet Offensive in January 1968, the 3rd Squadron quickly went to Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon. They successfully stopped a huge enemy attack on the air base. For this, the 3rd Squadron received a Presidential Unit Citation. They also earned other awards for their actions near the Cambodian border.
Troop F, 4th Cavalry, was activated in Vietnam in 1971 and was one of the last Army units to leave Vietnam in 1973.
The Gulf War
Three parts of the 4th Cavalry Regiment fought in the Gulf War in 1991. The 1st Squadron was with the 1st Infantry Division, and the 2nd Squadron and Troop D were with the 24th Infantry Division.
In 1990, the 1st Squadron went to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield. The ground war, Operation Desert Storm, began on February 24, 1991.
The 2nd Squadron and Troop D crossed into Iraq first, scouting ahead for the main attack. They found little enemy resistance, allowing the 24th Division to move quickly. The 4th Cavalry units helped trap many Iraqi forces.
In another area, the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, led the attack for the 1st Infantry Division. They broke through Iraq's defenses, destroying many enemy tanks and vehicles. This created a path for other U.S. forces to follow. The 1st Squadron then blocked the highway, stopping Iraqi forces from escaping.
A cease-fire was declared on February 28, 1991. The 4th Cavalry Regiment units showed great courage and skill, adding to their reputation as one of the Army's best regiments.
Peacekeeping in the Balkans
In 1995, the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, went to Bosnia and Herzegovina to help with a peacekeeping mission. They stayed for 11 months.
In 1999, the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, went to Kosovo for another peacekeeping mission. They used OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters for scouting and security.
War on Terrorism
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) II (2004–2005)
The 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. Their mission was to provide security and stability. They were part of Task Force Saber.
During operations in Samarra, the 1st Squadron showed great bravery and received a Valorous Unit Award. Troop D also received a Valorous Unit Award for its actions. Troop F received a Presidential Unit Citation for its heroism in the Second Battle of Fallujah. In January 2005, the "Quarterhorse" squadron helped with the first Iraqi elections in their area.
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) (2004–2005)
The 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, served in Afghanistan from April 2004 to 2005. They were based at Kandahar Airfield. Their job was to provide security and help with stability.
Their helicopter units, Troops B and C, flew over 6,000 hours supporting missions. They also helped with rebuilding and education projects. In August 2004, they helped stop fighting between local leaders in Herat. The 3rd Squadron received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for their work in Afghanistan.
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) (2006–2007)
In July 2006, the 3rd Squadron returned to Iraq. They were based near the Syrian border and focused on economic rebuilding and working with Iraqi forces. They returned home in October 2007.
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) (2008–2009)
In October 2008, the 3rd Squadron went back to northern Iraq for a year. They worked on economic projects and joint security operations with Iraqi forces. They received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for their achievements.
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) (2011–2012)
The 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry, returned to Afghanistan in April 2011. They were responsible for security and stability in eastern Nangarhar Province, near the border with Pakistan. Their mission was to provide security, support local government, and help with economic development.
Current Status
- 1st Squadron is the cavalry squadron for the 1st BCT, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas.
- 3rd Squadron is the cavalry squadron for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
- 4th Squadron was closed down in October 2015.
- 5th Squadron is the armored reconnaissance squadron for the 2nd BCT, 1st Infantry Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas.
Honors
Campaign Participation Credit
- Indian Wars:
- Civil War:
- World War II:
- Korean War:
- Vietnam:
- Southwest Asia:
- Bosnia
- Kosovo
- Iraqi Campaign
- Afghanistan Campaign
Decorations
The 4th Cavalry Regiment has received many awards:
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army), for BOGHEIM GERMANY
- Presidential Unit Citation (US) (Army) for BINH THUAN PROVINCE
- French Croix de Guerre with Silver-Gilt Star, World War II, for NORMANDY, 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron
- Valorous Unit Award for QUANG TIN PROVINCE
- Valorous Unit Award for FISH HOOK
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA
- Valorous Unit Award for Desert Storm – 1st Squadron
- Valorous Unit Award for Operation Iraqi Freedom, 1 Oct – 1 Nov 2004 – 1st Squadron
- Valorous Unit Award For Operation Iraqi Freedom, 12 Mar – 30 Sep 2004 – 1st Squadron
- Valorous Unit Award For Operation Iraqi Freedom, 14 Mar 2007 – 3 Apr 200 – 1st Squadron
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for 30 Aug 2009 to 21 Jul 2010 – 1st Squadron
- Superior Unit Award for Operation Joint Endeavour – 1st Squadron
