When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Rare Patch - United States Ranger - Vietnam War
Vietnam - Ranger - LRRP - Long Range Recon Patrol
LURPS - Original Subdued Patch - 196th Infantry - Chargers
Ranger Patch Measures - 3.6 x 2 inches (9 x 5 cms)
196th InfantryBrigade (Chargers)
The brigadewas reactivated in September 1965 at Fort Devens Massachusetts, where it wasoriginally scheduled to be sent to the Dominican Republic. Instead, the Armyrushed it to Vietnam, the Brigade departing on 15 July 1966 via transport shipsand arriving on 14 August 1966 at Tây Ninh Combat Base.
It beganoperations almost immediately in the western area of III Corps Tactical Zone.The brigade conducted Operation Cedar Falls, Gadsden, Lancaster, Junction City,Benton, and Attleboro (in War Zone C of Tay Ninh Province). Attleboro turnedinto a major action after a large enemy base camp was found on 19 October 1966.
In April 1967,Gen. William Westmoreland ordered the formation of a division sized Army taskforce to reinforce American forces in I Corps Tactical Zone.
The 196th wasselected to form a part of the task force. Task Force Oregon became operationalon 20 April 1967, when troops from the 196th landed at Chu Lai Base Area in ICorps. Over the next month, it was joined by the 1st Brigade, 101st AirborneDivision and the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (later redesignated the3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division).
In September1967 Task Force Oregon was redesignated the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal)and an official change of colors ceremony was held on 26 October 1967. Later,the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne and the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Divisionwere replaced by the 198th and 11th Light Infantry Brigades.
As part of the23rd, the 196th participated in Operations Wheeler/Wallowa, Golden Fleece,Fayette Canyon, Frederick Hill, Lamar Plain, Elk Canyon I and Elk Canyon II. Inearly May 1968, the 2-1 Infantry of the 196th was flown in to assist at theBattle of Kham Duc.
An entirecompany of the 196th was also involved in opposing the war by famously sittingdown on the battlefield. On 29 November 1971, the 196th became a separatetemporary entity to safeguard this same area of operations.
In April 1972,the 196th moved to Da Nang to assist in port security duties, and finally leftVietnam on 29 June 1972 as the last combat brigade to leave in Vietnam. The196th served in Vietnam from 15 July 1966 through 29 June 1972. The brigadesuffered 1,188 KIA, and 5,591 WIA in Vietnam.
Operations asa separate Brigade (15 July 1966 – 25 September 1967)
Cedar Falls, Gadsden,Lancaster, Attleboro, Junction City, Benton
Operations asa part of the Americal Division (25 September 1967 – June 1972)
Headquarterslocations during the Vietnam War
Tay Ninh,August 1966 to May 1967
Chu Lai, June1967 to October 1967
Tam Kỳ,November 1967 to March 1968
Phong Dien, April 1968 to June 1968
Hoi An, June 1968 to March 1971
Da Nang, April 1971 to June 1972
US RANGER – United States Ranger – LRRP
On 1 February1969, as part of the U.S. Army Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS), all U.S.Army Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) units were reorganized as the 75thInfantry Regiment (Ranger).
Fifteen Rangercompanies were formed from reconnaissance units in Europe and Vietnam withlineage to Merrill's Marauders.
The companieswere designated C through I and K through P.
There was no"J" Ranger Company. This was due to the newly formed J companyarriving from Hawaii not trained to the level required (trained as an Airmobile,Helicopter Insertion Unit and not even Airborne trained). J company, Julietcompany arrived patched up as Rangers but were soon dispersed to other unit.
Whilst somebelieve that the non-existence of J has to do with possible confusion withtyped paperwork and I (india) company, this is not correct. (This would applyto any number of lettered companies and is why we use, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie,Juliett, India etc.
Companies Aand B were kept stateside as a strategic reserve in case they were neededoverseas in Europe or the Americas. Company O, 82nd Airborne ondeployment back to the USA in 1969 deployed to Alaska and became known as the‘Artic Rangers’.
The Rangercompanies were composed of small, heavily armed long range reconnaissance teamsthat patrolled deep in enemy-held territory.
Each independentcompany was attached to a division or separate brigade and acted as the eyesand ears of those units.
Rangerscollected intelligence, discovered enemy troop locations, surveilled trails andenemy hot spots, directed artillery and air strikes, did bombing damageassessment, performed ambushes, and sniper attacks. Additionally, Rangersattempted recovering prisoners of war, captured enemy soldiers forinterrogation, tapped the wire communications of the North Vietnam Army and theNational Liberation Front for South Vietnam (Vietcong) on the Ho Chi MinhTrail, and mined enemy trails and roads.
The RangerCreed
(LoneSurvivor)
Recognizingthat I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosenprofession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and highesprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.
Acknowledgingthe fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edgeof battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my countryexpects me to move farther, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.
Never shall Ifail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strongand morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the taskwhatever it may be. One-hundred-percent and then some.
Gallantly willI show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. Mycourtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shallset the example for others to follow.
Energeticallywill I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field ofbattle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender isnot a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the handsof the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will Idisplay the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objectiveand complete the mission though I be the Lone survivor.
Rangers leadthe way!
