1:124th Cavalry (National Guard)

• Texas Heritage: The 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment is part of the Texas Army National Guard, reflecting a proud lineage of Texas cavalry units dating back to the early 20th century. • Origins in 1929: The 124th Cavalry was originally constituted in the National Guard in 1929 and organized in Texas, making it one of the last horse cavalry regiments formed in the U.S. Army. • Last Mounted Regiment: The 124th Cavalry was the last U.S. Army regiment to transition from horses to mechanized vehicles, maintaining horses until 1944 during World War II. • World War II Service: During WWII, the regiment served in the China-Burma-India Theater and was reconfigured as part of the Mars Task Force, engaging in jungle warfare in Burma. • Burma Campaign: Members of the 124th Cavalry earned a Presidential Unit Citation for their actions in the difficult terrain and conditions of the Burma campaign. • Specialized Training: The unit received specialized jungle and mountain warfare training, including operating pack mules, which played a crucial role in their Burma operations. • Mule Skinners: The 124th Cavalry’s use of mules in Burma led to the nickname "Mule Skinners." This adaptation was essential for transporting supplies through rough jungle terrain. • Postwar Deactivation and Reactivation: The regiment was inactivated after WWII but has since been reactivated as a reconnaissance and surveillance unit in the modern Texas Army National Guard. • Modern Roles: Today, 1/124th Cavalry operates as a reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition squadron, equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance vehicles and technology. • Distinctive Insignia: The unit’s distinctive unit insignia features a longhorn and a cavalry saber, symbolizing both its Texas roots and its cavalry heritage.