7th Cavalry Regiment facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 7th Cavalry
7th Cavalry coat of arms
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	Indian Wars Washita River Yellowstone River Little Bighorn Canyon Creek Bear Paw Mountain Crow Agency Wounded Knee Drexel Mission Mexican Punitive Expedition World War II New Guinea campaign Bismarck Archipelago campaign Admiralty Islands campaign Leyte campaign Korean War Battle of Pusan Perimeter No Gun Ri massacre Vietnam War Battle of Ia Drang Gulf War Iraq War War in Afghanistan
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 United States Army cavalry regiment formed in 1866. Its official nickname is "Garryowen", after the Irish air "Garryowen" that was adopted as its march tune.

The regiment participated in some of the largest battles of the Indian Wars, including the famous Battle of Little Bighorn, where its enigmatic commander, Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer, made his last stand. The 7th Cavalry became part of the 1st Cavalry Division in the 1920s and went on to fight in the Pacific Theater of World War II, and several key battles of the Korean War, in which it committed the No Gun Ri massacre, and participated in the Vietnam War. It distinguished itself in the Gulf War and in the Global War on Terror where its squadrons and battalions now serve as Combined Arms Battalions (involving tanks and mechanized infantry) or as reconnaissance squadrons for Brigade Combat Teams.

Current status

• 1st Squadron is an armored cavalry squadron of the 1st BCT, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.
• 2nd Battalion is a combined arms battalion of the 3rd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.
• 3rd Squadron, part of the 2nd BCT, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, was inactivated on 7 January 2015.
• 4th Squadron, an armored cavalry squadron of the 1st BCT, 2nd Infantry Division, was inactivated on 1 July 2015 in South Korea.
• 5th Squadron is an armored Cavalry squadron of the 1st ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Lineage

7th Cavalry Regiment

7th Regiment – United States Cavalry insignia

• Regiment Constituted 28 July 1866 in the Regular Army as the 7th Cavalry Regiment.
• Company A Organized 10 September 1866 at Fort Riley, Kansas
• Regiment Organized 21 September 1866 at Fort Riley, Kansas
• Cavalry companies officially designated as troops in 1883
• Assigned in December 1917 to the 15th Cavalry Division
• Relieved in May 1918 from assignment to the 15th Cavalry Division
• Assigned 13 September 1921 to the 1st Cavalry Division.
• HHT, 4th Squadron, Constituted 13 November 1943 in the Regular Army as Troop D, 7th Cavalry Regiment.
• Regiment Reorganized 4 December 1943 partly under cavalry and partly under infantry tables of organization and equipment. Troop D concurrently reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters Troop, 1st Cavalry Division, Special. Replacement Troop D Activated concurrently in Australia, partly under cavalry and partly under infantry tables of organization and equipment.
• Regiment reorganized 25 July 1945 wholly as infantry, but retained cavalry designations.
• Regimental troops redesignated 25 March 1949 as companies (1st Cavalry Division, Special concurrently reorganized and redesignated as the 1st Cavalry Division)
• Regiment Relieved 15 October 1957 from assignment to the 1st Cavalry Division
• Regiment Reorganized and redesignated 1 November 1957 as a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System. Squadrons were concurrently redesignated as Battle Groups.
• Headquarters Company, 1st Cavalry Division (Ex-D Troop, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment) Disbanded 1 July 1960 in Korea.
• EX-Headquarters Company, 1st Cavalry Division, EX-D Company, 7th Cavalry Regiment Reconstituted 2 July 1960 in the Regular Army, consolidated with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry (see below), and consolidated unit designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment.
• HHT, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron Redesignated 25 January 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division (organic elements concurrently constituted).
• 4th Squadron activated 20 February 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia.
• 1st Battle Group Redesignated 1 September 1963 as the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment.
• 1st Battalion Inactivated 22 August 1972 at Fort Hood, Texas.
• 1st Battalion Activated 20 June 1974 at Fort Hood, Texas
• 1st Battalion Reorganized and redesignated 16 October 1986 as the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment.
• 4th Squadron Inactivated 18 January 1988 in Korea and relieved from assignment to the 2d Infantry Division
• Regiment Withdrawn 16 February 1989 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System. 4th Squadron concurrently Assigned to the 3d Armored Division, and activated in Germany.
• 4th Squadron Inactivated 16 October 1991 in Germany and relieved from assignment to the 3d Armored Division.
• HHT, 4th Squadron consolidated 5 April 1996 with the 2nd Reconnaissance Company (see below) and consolidated unit designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment; Squadron concurrently assigned to the 2d Infantry Division and activated in Korea

2nd Reconnaissance Company

• 2nd Reconnaissance Troop Constituted 20 July 1940 in the Regular Army and was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division.
• 2nd Reconnaissance Troop Activated 1 August 1940 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
• 2nd Reconnaissance Troop Redesignated 1 April 1942 as the 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop.
• 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop Redesignated 1 March 1943 as the 2d Reconnaissance Troop.
• 2nd Reconnaissance Troop Redesignated 6 July 1944 as the 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized
• 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized Redesignated 16 June 1945 as the 2nd Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop.
• 2nd Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop Redesignated 30 July 1945 as the 2nd Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop
• 2nd Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop Reorganized and redesignated 15 October 1948 as the 2nd Reconnaissance Company
• 2nd Reconnaissance Company Inactivated 20 June 1957 in Alaska and relieved from assignment to the 2d Infantry Division.
• 2nd Reconnaissance Company consolidated with HHT, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment on 5 April 1996 and consolidated unit designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment; Squadron concurrently assigned to the 2d Infantry Division and activated in Korea.

Honors

Campaign participation credit

Decorations

• Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for:

1. Antipolo, Luzon
2. Yonchon, Korea
3. Taegu, Korea
4. Pusan, Korea
5. 4th Battalion Hongchon
6. Pleiku province
7. Troop B, 1st Battalion, Binh Thuan province
8. 3rd Squadron embroidered Iraq (2003)
9. HHC, A and C Companies 2d Battalion Fallujah (2004)

• Valorous Unit Award for:

1. Troop B, 1st Battalion Tay Ninh province
2. 1st, 2d, 5th Battalions Quang Tin province
3. 1st, 2d, 5th Battalions Fish Hook
4. 4th Squadron Southwest Asia (1991)
5. HHT, A, B, C Troops of 1st Squadron, Iraq (2007)
6. HHC, A, B, C, D, E Companies, 2nd BN, 7th Cavalry Regiment (2007)
7. E Company, 27th Support BN (2007)
8. HHT, A, B, C Troops of 3rd Squadron, Iraq (2008)
9. HHT, A, B, C Troops of 1st Squadron, Iraq (2009)

• Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for:

1. 1st Squadron Southwest Asia (1991)
2. 1st Squadron Iraq (2004, 2008)
3. 3rd Squadron Iraq (2006)
4. 5th Squadron Iraq (2010)

• Navy Unit Commendation (NUC):

1. HHC, A, B, C Companies, 2nd Battalion embroidered Anbar Province (2005)
2. 5th Squadron 7th Cavalry Regiment, OIF with II MEF (23JUN07–09FEB08)

• Belgian Fourragere:

1. 4th Squadron 1940

• Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action:

1. 4th Squadron In the Ardennes
2. 4th Squadron At Elsenborn Crest

• French Croix de Guerre: World War II

1. Streamer embroidered COLMAR (3rd Reconnaissance Trp, cited; DA GO 43, 1950)
2. Streamer embroidered COLMAR (3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry, cited; WD GO 43, 1950)
3. Fourragere (3rd Reconnaissance Trp cited; DA GO 43, 1950)

• Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for:

1. 17 October 1944 to 4 July 1945

• Republic of Korea presidential unit citation for:

1. Waegwan-Taegu
2. Korea 1952–1953

• Greek Gold Cross of Valour for:

1. Korea

1st Battalion

1. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965 (1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 14 to 16 November 1965; DA GO 21, 1969, amended DA GO 48, 1968)
2. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965–1969 (1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the periods 9 Aug – 13 November 1965 and 17 Nov Nov 1965 to 19 May 1969; DA GO 70, 1969, amended DA GO 59, 1969)
3. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969–1970 (1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period May 1969 to Feb 1970; DA GO 11, 1973, amended DA GO 42, 1972)
4. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970–1971 (1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 21 February 1970 to 28 February 1971; DA GO 42, 1972)
5. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965–1972 (1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 17 September 1965 to Jun 1972; DA GO 54, 1974)
6. Troop B additionally entitled to: Streamer embroidered BINH THUAN PROVINCE ("B" Co, 1st Bn, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 12 December 1966 to 18 February 1967; DA GO 02, 1973)
7. Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for:
8. Streamer embroidered VIETNAM (1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 1 January 1969 to 1 February 1970; DA GO 42, 1972)
9. Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class,
10. Streamer embroidered VIETNAM (1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 1 January 1969 to 1 February 1970; DA GO 42, 1972)

2nd Battalion

1. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965 ("A" Co, 2nd Bn, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 15 to 16 November 1965; DA GO 21, 1969, DA GO 70, 1969, amended DA GO 46, 1968)
2. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965–1969 ("A" Co, 2nd Bn, 7th Cavalry, cited for the periods 9 Aug – 14 November 1965 and 17 Nov Nov 1965 to 19 May 1969; DA GO 70, 1969, amended DA GO 59, 1969)
3. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965 ("B" Co, 2nd Bn, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 14 to 16 November 1965; DA GO 21, 1969, DA GO 70, 1969, amended DA GO 46, 1968)
4. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965–1969 ("B" Co, 2nd Bn, 7th Cavalry, cited for the periods 9 Aug – 13 November 1965 and 17 Nov Nov 1965 to 19 May 1969; DA GO 70, 1969, amended DA GO 59, 1969)
5. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969–1970 (2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period May 1969 to Feb 1970; DA GO 11, 1973, amended DA GO 42, 1972)
6. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970–1971 (2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 21 February 1970 to 28 February 1971; DA GO 42, 1972)
7. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965–1969 (earned by the 3rd Reconnaissance Trp as part of the 2nd Bn, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period ;)
8. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969–1970 (earned by the 3rd Reconnaissance Trp as part of the 2nd Bn, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period ;)
9. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970–1971 (earned by the 3rd Reconnaissance Trp as part of the 2nd Bn, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period ;)
10. Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class,
11. Streamer embroidered VIETNAM (2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 1 January 1969 to 1 February 1970; DA GO 42, 1972)

5th Battalion

1. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965–1969 (5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 9 Aug – 19 May 1969; DA GO 59, 1969)
2. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969–1970 (5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period May 1969 to Feb 1970; DA GO 11, 1973, amended DA GO 42, 1972)
3. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970–1971 (5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 21 February 1970 to 28 February 1971; DA GO 42, 1972)
4. Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class,
5. Streamer embroidered VIETNAM (5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period 1 January 1969 to 1 February 1970; DA GO 42, 1972)

In popular culture

• In the 1956 movie 7th Cavalry, directed by Joseph H. Lewis, Captain Benson (Randolph Scott), who has been on furlough, comes back to the fort just after the Battle of the Little Bighorn and discovers half of the men died. Others hold Benson in contempt, not only for not being at the battle in command of his company of men, but for what they perceived as Custer's favoritism of him.
• The 7th Is Made Up of Phantoms is Episode 130 of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone in which the 7th Cavalry plays a major role. It originally aired on 6 December 1963 on CBS.
• The experiences of the 1st and 2nd Battalions at the November 1965 Battle of Ia Drang are recounted in the book We Were Soldiers Once...And Young by Lieutenant General Harold G. Moore, then a lieutenant colonel and commander of the 1st Battalion, and United Press International correspondent Joseph L. Galloway. The book was later adapted into the film We Were Soldiers, with Mel Gibson as Moore and Barry Pepper as Galloway.
• 1991 TV miniseries Son of the Morning Star based on the life of Lt. Col. George A. Custer, and the 7th Cavalry, which ends with the battle of Little Bighorn engagement where 5 companies of the 7th Cavalry are wiped out, along with George Custer, Thomas Custer, Boston Custer and Audie Reed.

See also

In Spanish: 7.º Regimiento de Caballería (Estados Unidos) para niños