7th Cavalry Regiment facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 7th Cavalry |
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7th Cavalry coat of arms
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| Active | 1866 – present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Armored cavalry |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Hood, Texas |
| Nickname(s) | "Garryowen" |
| Motto(s) | "Seventh First" |
| March | Garryowen |
| Engagements |
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| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Colonel Andrew J. Smith Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer Colonel (later Major General) James W. Forsyth Lieutenant General Hal Moore Brigadier General (later Major General) Adna R. Chaffee Jr. |
| Insignia | |
| Regimental distinctive insignia |  |
The 7th Cavalry Regiment is a famous unit of the United States Army. It was created in 1866. Its special nickname is "Garryowen." This name comes from an old Irish song called "Garryowen," which is also their march tune.
This regiment has been part of many important moments in American history. They fought in the Indian Wars, including the well-known Battle of Little Bighorn. Here, their commander, Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer, made his final stand. Later, the 7th Cavalry joined the 1st Cavalry Division. They went on to fight in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. They also showed great bravery in the Gulf War and the Global War on Terror. Today, parts of the 7th Cavalry use tanks and other modern vehicles for fighting and scouting.
Contents
What the 7th Cavalry Does Today
The 7th Cavalry Regiment is still an active part of the U.S. Army. It is made up of different groups called squadrons and battalions. These groups are part of larger divisions.
- One part, the 1st Squadron, is an armored cavalry squadron. This means they use tanks and other armored vehicles. They are part of the 1st Cavalry Division and are based at Fort Hood, Texas.
- Another part, the 2nd Battalion, is a combined arms battalion. This group uses both tanks and infantry (soldiers who fight on foot). They are also part of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.
- Other squadrons, like the 3rd and 4th, have been closed down or moved in recent years.
- The 5th Squadron is another armored cavalry squadron. It is part of the 3rd Infantry Division and is based at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
A Look at Their History
The 7th Cavalry Regiment has a long and interesting history. It was formed right after the American Civil War.
Early Days and Famous Battles
The regiment was officially created on July 28, 1866. Its first company was organized in September 1866 in Kansas. In its early years, the 7th Cavalry was involved in the American Indian Wars. They fought in many battles across the American West.
One of their most famous battles was the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. Here, Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer and many of his men were defeated. This battle is a very well-known event in American history. The regiment also fought in other important battles like Washita River and Wounded Knee.
World Wars and Beyond
Over time, the way the cavalry fought changed. Horses were replaced by vehicles. In 1921, the 7th Cavalry Regiment became part of the 1st Cavalry Division.
- World War II: The regiment fought bravely in the Pacific Ocean area during World War II. They were part of important campaigns in places like New Guinea and the Philippines.
- Korean War: After World War II, the 7th Cavalry was involved in the Korean War. They fought in key battles such as the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.
- Vietnam War: The regiment also played a big role in the Vietnam War. They were part of intense fighting, including the Battle of Ia Drang.
- Gulf War and Recent Conflicts: In more recent times, the 7th Cavalry served in the Gulf War in the early 1990s. They also took part in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.
Awards and Honors
The 7th Cavalry Regiment has earned many awards for its bravery and service. These awards show how well they have performed in battles and operations.
- Presidential Unit Citation: This is a very high award given to military units for extreme heroism in action. The 7th Cavalry has received this award for their actions in places like Luzon, Korea, and Iraq.
- Valorous Unit Award: This award is given for outstanding heroism in combat. The regiment earned this for their actions in Vietnam, Southwest Asia, and Iraq.
- Meritorious Unit Commendation: This award recognizes outstanding service and achievements. The 7th Cavalry received it for their work in Southwest Asia and Iraq.
- They have also received awards from other countries, including the Belgian Fourragere, the French Croix de Guerre, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
The 7th Cavalry in Movies and TV
The history of the 7th Cavalry has inspired many stories in popular culture.
- The 1956 movie 7th Cavalry tells a story about Captain Benson returning to his fort after the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
- An episode of The Twilight Zone called The 7th Is Made Up of Phantoms features the 7th Cavalry. It aired in 1963.
- The book We Were Soldiers Once...And Young by Lieutenant General Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway tells about the experiences of the 1st and 2nd Battalions during the 1965 Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam. This book was later made into the movie We Were Soldiers, starring Mel Gibson.
- The 1991 TV miniseries Son of the Morning Star focuses on the life of Lt. Col. George A. Custer and the 7th Cavalry, ending with the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Images for kids
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7th Regiment – United States Cavalry insignia
See also
In Spanish: 7.º Regimiento de Caballería (Estados Unidos) para niños
