111th Armored Cavalry Regiment

Last updated

111th Armored Cavalry Regiment
18CavRegtCOA.jpg
Coat of arms of the 18th Cavalry Regiment, differing only from that of the 111th in the addition of green facing to the shield
Active1949–1954
CountryUnited States
Branch United States Army
Type Armored cavalry
Garrison/HQ Pasadena, California (HHT, 1950–1954)
Motto(s)"By Arms and Courage"
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia 111th ACR DUI.gif

The 111th Armored Cavalry Regiment (111th ACR) was a light armored cavalry regiment that was part of the California Army National Guard, briefly active during the early years of the Cold War.

Contents

Constituted in 1949, it included three maneuver battalions by 1951. It was broken up in 1954, with two battalions absorbed into the 40th Armored Division, which had been converted to infantry, to give it experienced armor personnel, while the remaining battalion was mostly converted to antiaircraft artillery.

History

1949 newspaper recruiting advertisement for Company F, 111th ACR Company F, 111th Armored Cavalry Regiment 1949 newspaper recruiting advertisement.jpg
1949 newspaper recruiting advertisement for Company F, 111th ACR

The 111th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light) was constituted on 19 August 1949 as a unit of the California National Guard after a request from the state of California to form an armored cavalry regiment was approved by the National Guard Bureau. [1] It was one of seven National Guard armored cavalry regiments authorized in 1949 to provide corps-level reconnaissance and security capabilities in event of mobilization. [2] [3] From inception, the regiment was administratively supervised by the 1st Provisional Brigade, created to serve as an intermediate headquarters for non-divisional and unbrigaded units of the California National Guard. [1]

It initially included the Imperial Valley-based 1st Battalion, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) at Imperial, and the Northern California-based 2nd Battalion, with HHC at Red Bluff. The two battalions were redesignated from the 109th and 118th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons, respectively, on 15 September. The 109th had been organized and Federally recognized on 18 September 1947, while the 118th had been organized and Federally recognized on 8 June 1949; both California National Guard units were constituted on 5 August 1946. [4]

Of the reconnaissance companies of the regiment, Companies A (Indio), B (Brawley), and C (Calexico) fell under 1st Battalion, while D (Susanville), E (Eureka), and F (Oakdale) were with 2nd Battalion. The Assault Gun Company of the 2nd Battalion was at Quincy, while the Tank Company of 1st Battalion was at El Centro. [5] The first six lettered companies, the Tank Company of the 1st Battalion, and the Assault Gun Company of the 2nd Battalion were redesignated from the lettered troops of the 109th and 118th Squadrons. [6]

The organization and Federal recognition of new units followed, beginning with the Assault Gun Company of the 1st Battalion at Holtville on 15 October. [7] By the end of 1949, the 111th ACR included 50 officers, two warrant officers, and 471 enlisted men. [8] The Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) of the regiment followed on 12 January 1950 at Pasadena. [4] In the summer of 1950, the units of the 111th participated in its first summer field training encampment, held at Camp San Luis Obispo with most of the 1st Provisional Brigade between 16 and 30 July. [9] The regimental Service Company and Medical Detachment were organized at Montebello on 23 October and 20 November, respectively. [10] The HHC of the 1st Battalion relocated to El Centro on 15 December. [11]

California Governor Earl Warren meeting a 2nd Battalion tank crew during 1951 summer training at Camp Cooke Earl Warren meeting California National Guard tank crew 1951.jpg
California Governor Earl Warren meeting a 2nd Battalion tank crew during 1951 summer training at Camp Cooke

The regiment was brought up to full strength by the organization and Federal recognition of its 3rd Battalion on 26 January 1951, headquartered at Van Nuys. [4] The HHC of 3rd Battalion was organized on 9 January, followed by Howitzer Company on 30 March at Van Nuys and two 3rd Battalion lettered companies: G at Burbank on 15 May and H on 22 October at Los Angeles. [12] Due to changes in the structure of light ACRs, the assault gun companies of the 111th became howitzer companies on 1 April. [13] The regiment participated in 1951 summer field training between 17 June and 1 July at Camp Cooke and Hunter Liggett Military Reservation along with the 49th Infantry Division. [14] The Medical Detachment relocated to Arcadia on 15 April, and the HHC of the 3rd Battalion relocated to Burbank on 1 November. [11]

The 2nd Battalion HHC relocated from Sacramento to Del Paso Heights on 1 July 1952, although it returned to Sacramento on 15 January 1954. The regiment participated in 1952 summer field training between 17 and 31 August at Hunter Liggett, alongside smaller nondivisional units. [15] Company I, organized at Van Nuys on 15 November 1952, [16] relocated to San Fernando on 15 March 1953. The Tank Company of the 3rd Battalion relocated from Van Nuys to Canoga Park on 1 May. From 16 to 30 August of that year, the regiment participated in what was to be its last summer field training, held at Hunter Liggett with the 40th Infantry Division (NGUS). [15] On 1 October, the regiment dropped the 'light' designation. [17] The Howitzer Company of the 3rd Battalion relocated to Burbank on 13 October. [18]

In 1954, the regiment was broken up, beginning with the conversion and redesignation of the 2nd Battalion as the 170th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion on 1 June, excluding Company E, which became the HHC of the 1401st Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Army) (NGUS). [19] A month later, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 111th ACR became that of Combat Command C of the 40th Armored Division, the 1st Battalion became the 134th Tank Battalion, and the 3rd Battalion consolidated with the 2nd Battalion, 223rd Infantry to become the 139th Tank Battalion. [4] [20] These elements of the 111th were absorbed into the 40th Armored, which had been converted from the 40th Infantry Division, to provide experienced armored personnel to the unit. [21]

Heraldry

Just before the breakup of the regiment, the distinctive unit insignia and coat of arms of the regiment were approved on 1 March 1954. The distinctive unit insignia depicted a horse's head, lance, and gauntlet to symbolize cavalry, medieval armor, and the shock tactics of armored forces, respectively. Its green and yellow colors represented the armor branch. Below the shield of the insignia was the motto "By Arms and Courage." The regimental coat of arms was the shield of its distinctive unit insignia with the crest of the California Army National Guard above it. [4] The distinctive unit insignia continued to be used by the 134th Tank Battalion until 1960, after the latter was consolidated with other units to form the 185th Armor Regiment. [22] [23]

Related Research Articles

40th Infantry Division (United States) Military unit

The 40th Infantry Division is a modular division of the United States Army. Following the army's modularization the division has become a four-brigade combat team with National Guardsmen from throughout the Pacific/Western United States and Oceania. Its division headquarters is located at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, California.

11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Military unit

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment is a unit of the United States Army garrisoned at Fort Irwin, California. Although termed an armored cavalry regiment, it is being re-organized as a multi-component heavy brigade combat team. The regiment has served in the Philippine–American War, World War II, the Vietnam War, Cold War, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 11th ACR serves as the Opposing Force (OPFOR) for the Army and Marine task forces, and foreign military forces that train at the National Training Center.

Kansas Army National Guard Component of the U.S. Army and military of the state of Kansas

The Kansas Army National Guard is a component of the Army National Guard and the Kansas National Guard. Kansas Army National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army. The same ranks and insignia are used and National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards. The Kansas Guard also bestows a number of state awards for local services rendered in or to the state of Kansas. It is, along with the Kansas Air National Guard, an element of the Kansas National Guard.

California Army National Guard Land force component of the California National Guard

The California Army National Guard is one of three components of the California National Guard, a reserve of the United States Army, and part of the National Guard of the United States. The California Army National Guard is composed of 18,450 soldiers. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau.

18th Cavalry Regiment Military unit

The 18th Cavalry Regiment is a parent cavalry regiment of the United States Army.

The 185th Armor Regiment was an armor regiment of the United States Army consisting of soldiers from the California Army National Guard.

107th Cavalry Regiment Military unit

The 107th Cavalry Regiment, Ohio Army National Guard, is a parent regiment under the U.S. Army Regimental System, with headquarters at Hamilton, Ohio. It currently consists of the 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry Regiment, part of the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (BUCKEYE), Ohio National Guard located throughout southwest Ohio.

1st Battalion, 107th Cavalry Regiment Military unit

The 1st Battalion, 107th Cavalry Regiment was a unit of the Ohio Army National Guard, with troops in multiple locations throughout northeastern Ohio and has served in the United States of America's major wars and conflicts since 1898 until its inactivation on 31 August 2007.

The 308th Armored Cavalry Regiment was a Minnesota-based reconnaissance unit of the United States Army Organized Reserve Corps, which briefly existed after World War II. Its 1st Battalion traced its heritage back to a World War II Tank destroyer battalion.

The 304th Armored Cavalry Regiment was a Massachusetts-based reconnaissance unit of the United States Army Organized Reserve Corps, which briefly existed after World War II. It was constituted in 1948 and partially organized from existing units before being inactivated in 1950 and disbanded in 1952.

The 302nd Armored Cavalry Regiment was a New York-based reconnaissance unit of the United States Army Organized Reserve Corps, which briefly existed after World War II. Constituted in 1948, it was partially organized later that year and inactivated in 1950.

The 301st Armored Cavalry Regiment was a Georgia-based reconnaissance unit of the United States Army Organized Reserve Corps, which briefly existed after World War II. Constituted in 1948, it was partially organized in 1949 before being disbanded in 1950.

The 300th Armored Cavalry Regiment was a Texas-based reconnaissance unit of the United States Army Organized Reserve Corps, which briefly existed after World War II. It was constituted in 1948 and partially organized from existing units before being inactivated in 1950 and disbanded in 1952.

The 310th Armored Cavalry Regiment was a California-based reconnaissance unit of the United States Army Organized Reserve Corps, which briefly existed after World War II. It was constituted in 1948, partially organized from existing units in 1949, and inactivated in 1950.

The 311th Armored Cavalry Regiment was a Texas and Louisiana-based reconnaissance unit of the United States Army Organized Reserve Corps, which briefly existed after World War II. It was constituted in 1948, partially organized from existing units later that year, and inactivated in 1950.

The 314th Armored Cavalry Regiment was a Tennessee-based reconnaissance unit of the United States Army Organized Reserve Corps, which briefly existed after World War II. It was constituted in 1948, partially organized from existing units in 1949, and inactivated in 1950.

The 317th Armored Cavalry Regiment was an Illinois-based reconnaissance unit of the United States Army Organized Reserve Corps, which briefly existed after World War II. It was constituted in 1948, partially organized from existing units, and inactivated in 1950.

The 320th Armored Cavalry Regiment was an Ohio-based reconnaissance unit of the United States Army Organized Reserve Corps, which briefly existed after World War II. It was constituted in 1948, partially organized from existing units in 1949, and inactivated in 1950.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 Office of the Adjutant General of California 1950, p. 11.
  2. Hofmann & Starry 2013, p. 219.
  3. Chief, National Guard Bureau 1951, p. 8.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Sawicki 1985, p. 239.
  5. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1950, p. 98.
  6. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1950, p. 90.
  7. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1950, p. 87.
  8. California Blue Book 1950, p. 677.
  9. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1952, p. 23.
  10. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1952, p. 127.
  11. 1 2 Office of the Adjutant General of California 1952, p. 130.
  12. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1952, p. 17.
  13. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1952, p. 129.
  14. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1952, p. 24.
  15. 1 2 Office of the Adjutant General of California 1954, p. 34.
  16. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1954, p. 154.
  17. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1954, p. 159.
  18. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1954, p. 160.
  19. Office of the Adjutant General of California 1954, p. 27.
  20. Sawicki 1985, p. 186.
  21. Jacobs 1957, p. 14.
  22. "Heraldry and Insignia of the California Military Forces: 134th Tank Battalion and 111th Armored Cavalry Regiment". California State Military Museum. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  23. "185th Armor Regiment Lineage and Honors". California Military Department. Archived from the original on 6 February 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2010.

Bibliography