From this Troop the First Squadron of Cavalry was organized in 1913 and after service in World War I the 102d Cavalry Regiment was formed. The 1st and 2d Squadrons served in World War II, the 2d Squadron was redesignated as the 117th Cavalry; serving in North Africa, Italy and Southern France. 1st Squadron was redesignated as the 102d Cavalry; landing in Normandy, the first American Troops in Paris in August 1944 and the first to cross into Germany in 1945. Along with its sister squadron the 38th Squadron fought their way across France,  Belgium and into Germany.

Currently the heritage of the 102d Cavalry is alive and well under the 1st Squadron 102d Cavalry (RSTA) Headquarters in Westfield, NJ. The Association website is located at: www.essextroop.org, business address is: The Essex Troop, 1315 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, phone number is 973-736-0952.

Be sure to check them out, especially their page on WWII American Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Profiles!  If you would like your unit listed “Out Front”, send your link and a short biography and we will post it here.

Nearly every Cav Trooper remembers the scene in “Apocalypse Now”
when Robert Duvall prepared for his assault in his Stetson.
The fearless American badass. Cav, Hooah.

Robert Duvall portrayed Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in the movie Apocalypse Now (1979) and received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also won both a BAFTA Award and Golden Globe Award for that role. His line “I love the smell of napalm in the morning” from Apocalypse Now is now regarded as iconic in cinema history. Here is the full movie quote:

“You smell that? Do you smell that? Napalm, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of napalm in the morning. You know, one time we had a hill bombed, for twelve hours. When it was all over I walked up. We didn’t find one of ‘em, not one stinkin’ dink body. But the smell! You know – that gasoline smell… the whole hill! Smelled like… victory. (Pause) Some day this war is going to end…”

You can also watch it here on Youtube:

Those lines were at one time voted the best speech in cinema history in a movie fans poll. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Apocalypse Now is without question one of the best Vietnam war movies ever made.

True military movie trivia fans know that Duvall actually wore more than one hat in the movie. His two major scenes were actually filmed six months apart. When the character is first introduced, walking through a Vietnamese village throwing his “calling cards” on the bodies, his Stetson has the silver leaf, which is the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. It also has a regulation-size set of crossed sabers, the branch insignia for the Cavalry.

He is later seen on the beach and just prior to the “Ride of the Valkyries” attack wearing a similar hat, but adorned with only a large set of crossed sabers.  He is also said to be seen earlier with the hat cords for a warrant officer, which are silver/black instead of gold/black, but it is reportedly only readily-visible in the digitally remastered version of the movie.

One of the actual prop hats used in the movie sold at auction in 2005 for over $4800.00. His actual uniform was also up for auction at one time and sold for $15,000. The initials “R.D.” are handwritten on the inside of the hat in white marker. The hats were made by Baron California Hats, who currently sell reproduction hats just like the one here for up to $1280 each.

Here is the link to the auction: AmericanMemorabilia.com

LTC Kilgore was unique, but not uncommon for Air Cavalry soldiers at that time. In this interview, Duvall explains not only the two different sides of the character, but also discusses some of the madness of the real Air Cavalry Troopers who served in Vietnam, and the Stetsons and spurs that they wore:

The Stetson tradition is believed to have been originated in early 1964 by LTC John B. Stockton (Commander of 3/17 Cavalry) at Fort Benning,Georgia. The hat was adopted in an effort to increase esprit de corps in the new air cavalry squadron and was meant to emulate the look of the 1876 pattern campaign hat worn by cavalry troopers long ago. Once units deployed to Vietnam , the custom slowly spread to other air cavalry units, and by the cessation of hostilities, virtually all air cav (and some ground cav) units had adopted the Cav hat. Read more about the Cavalry Stetson tradition here.

“We figure the Stetson will be popular with the troops,” said Sgt. Maj. Bob S. Stone, Army Uniform Board headgear task force president. “It’s been a while since we have changed the headgear, so it’s time. Plus a Stetson is functional and down right American.”

But reminiscent of the controversial switch from the garrison cap to the black beret, the Army faces opposition from one community deeply opposed to losing its special identity with the Stetson – the Armor branch.

“Why in the heck are they doing to us what they did to the snake-eaters?” asked one officer familiar with the board’s deliberations. “If you ain’t Cav, you ain’t ought to be wearing a Cav hat. That just ain’t right.”

But the sheer functionality of the wide-brimmed American-classic Stetson won over the majority of the board.

“You can keep the sun out of your eyes, the hat won’t melt to your head on a sunny day, and female Soldiers can tuck long hair under a Stetson a lot easier than with the current beret,” says Stone. “Plus we’ve already gone back to blue jackets for the service dress uniform. The Stetson actually completes the look.”

The voting of the board fell along predicable lines, but was completed weeks ahead of schedule. In a surprise move representatives from Forts Bragg, Campbell and several undisclosed forward locations around the world pushed the vote for the Stetson to a head.

Representatives from various garrison activities and the Human Resources Command tried in vain to keep the beret, citing the cache it brings to wearers as well as practicality. According a dissenting member, “at least you can fold a beret and put it in your pocket. Where are you going to put your ten-gallon hat in your cubicle?”

The beret is not completely leaving the Army inventory, as communities who previously wore berets will return to or keep their traditional colors of maroon (airborne), black (Ranger) and green (Special Forces). Additionally Rangers will be allowed to keep the tan beret for use in desert climates. “We’ve at least earned that, for all grief we took in losing the black beret in the last go-round,” said one unidentified tab-wearing board member.

Stone refused to address rumors that the Army Uniform Board will next consider adoption of a black western-style or ‘cowboy’ boot to replace the current inventory of black low quarters for wear with the Army Service Uniform. Sources expect that if the board moves toward boots, the Armor community will likely push for the return of cavalry-use-only jodhpurs and spurs, as a concession for having lost its prior if informal and exclusive right to wear a Stetson.

There will be some restrictions on wear. In a nod to other dress blue uniform traditions, general officer Stetsons will be black and must have a completely flat brim. All other wearers of dark blue Stetsons will be allowed any combination of opposing but matching curls of the side brims, up-to-twenty-degrees up or down. However no single-side flapping of any portion of the brim will be allowed.

The Army’s official adoption date of the Stetson will be April Fool’s Day, 2012. Gotcha.

AFGHANISTAN – Cavalry soldiers stand apart from the rest of the crowd. They take great pride in their customs and traditions, much like a distinguished cultural. Their heritage drives their traditions and pride they carry.

The history of the cavalry can be traced back to 1776, when the U.S. cavalry was established with horse-mounted troopers. The role of the cavalry has always been reconnaissance, security and mounted assault. After World War II, the cavalry began phasing out horses and transitioning to a mechanized, mounted force.

They are seen wearing Stetson hats rather than normal head gear, and strapping spurs to their heals during formal cavalry events. But these items must be earned, they are not free.

The tradition of having to “earn your spurs” dates back to the founding of the cavalry. When troopers first arrived at their new unit, they were assigned a horse with a shaved tail. This led to the nickname “Shave Tail” for new, spur-less troopers.

These new soldier needed extensive training, especially in the area of swordsmanship from atop a horse. During this phase of training they were not allowed to wear spurs because this would hinder their training. When they proved their ability to perform with their horse and saber, they were awarded their spurs.

Now the cavalry soldier is awarded their spurs upon the successful completion of the “spur ride” or their first combat tour.

The spur ride is a multiple day event which is a series of physical and mental challenges testing their leadership, technical and tactical proficiency, and the ability to operate as part of a team under high levels of stress and fatigue.

During the spur ride participants are required to recite the traditional cavalry poem, the “Fiddler’s Green,” from memory. Gold spurs are earned through deployments, while silver spurs are awarded upon completion of the spur ride.

Legend has it that in 1964 the hat was adopted in an effort to raise esprit de corps in the new air cavalry squadron and was meant to look similar to the campaign hat worn by the original cavalry trooper.

A “wetting down” ceremony is held for new soldiers to be accepted as members of the cavalry troop. Before they can wear their Stetson, they “chug-a-lug,” a hatful of random liquid and condiments.

The crossed sabers adorning the Stetson is another traditional icon symbolizing the original weapon of the cavalry trooper.

The crossed sabers are represented on their aircraft, the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, their guidons and helmet patches.

There are many traditions of the cavalry, but these are the most dominant and well known customs. They set cavalry troopers apart and honor the lineage of the cavalry regiment.

Be sure to check out all of SPC Weeden’s stories and images here!

-Dan