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2nd Squadron, 1st U.S. Cavalry

Unit History

Constituted on 2 March 1833 in the Regular Army as Company B, the United States Regiment of Dragoons; the unit was organized on 29 July 1833 at Sackett's Harbor, New York, and joined the  Regiment on 6 September 1833 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. It was redesignated 15 May 1836 as Company B, 1st Regiment of Dragoons. It was again redesignated as Company B, 1st Cavalry on 3 August 1861; at which time her "dragoons" officially became "troopers." (Cavalry companies were officially designated as troops in 1883.)  

(1st cavalry was assigned to 15th Cavalry Division December 1917- May 1918;then assigned to 1st Cavalry Division 20 August 1921- 3 January 1933)

It was on 16 January 1933 that the troopers of Company B, 1st Cavalry reorganized and were redesignated Mechanized. They traded their horses for tracked mounts.

Redesignated at numerous times through the intervening years, members of the 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment (of Dragoons) participated in military actions during the Mexican War, Indian Wars, Civil War, Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection and World War II.

They once again reorganized and redesignated 15 July 1940 as Company B, 1st Armored Regiment, an element of the 1st Armored Division.

Converted and redesignated 1 May 1946 as Troop B, 1st Constabulary Squadron; concurrently, relieved from assignment to the 1st Armored Division and assigned to 15th Constabulary Regiment

Inactivated 20 December 1948 in Germany; concurrently, converted and redesignated as Company B, 1st Medium Tank battalion, relieved from assignment to 15th Constabulary Regiment and assigned to the 1st Armored Division

Activated 7 March 1951 at Fort Hood, Texas

Redesignated 20 May 1953 as Company B, 1st Tank Battalion

Inactivated 15 February 1957 at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and relieved from assignment to 1st Armored Division

Redesignated 1 October 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Medium tank Battalion (Patton), 1st Cavalry; concurrently assigned to 3d Armored Division and activated in Germany (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated using personnel and equipment from the 7th Tank Battalion)

On 1 July, 1963 the 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry was relieved of their duties to the 3rd Armored Division, United States Army, Europe and reassigned (less personnel and equipment, which were transferred to the 3d Battalion, 33d Armor) to the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. On 30 August 1967 the unit left Fort Hood for Vietnam where they were attached to the 4th Infantry Division, headquarters in Plieku. During their service in the Central Highlands, troopers saw action in Plieku, Dak To, Suoi Doi, Kontum, An Khe and many other nameless stretches of road and jungle.

In May of 1969 the squadron was transferred to Task Force South in Phan Thiet and attached to the 1st Field Force, Vietnam. Now operating in the rice patties and rubber plantations of Vietnam, the Blackhawks further distinguished themselves in actions around Phan Thiet, Song Mao, Phan Rang and their environs.

The 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry departed Vietnam in October 1970, leaving Cam Ranh Bay for reassignment to the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

Inactivated 1991 at Fort Hood Texas

Activated 16 December 1992 at Fort Hood, Texas using personnel and equipment from the 3d Squadron, 1st Cavalry

The unit participated in Desert Storm and it was deactivated in on 16 January 1996 at Ft Hood, Texas when the 2nd Armored Division stood-down.  All personnel and equipment were transferred to the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry.

Lineage compiled by Mike Williard (2-3 FA, 1989-92).

2-1 Cavalry Association        2-1 Cav Newsletter    

Current List of known 2-1 Cav KIA - Vietnam 

2-1 Cavalry Unit Awards

Awards are in .pdf format so you will need adobe acrobat to view correctly.

General Order 3, February 1970

General Order 24, June 1972

Vietnam Cross of Gallantry