173d Airborne Brigade (SEP)

• First Major U.S. Army Ground Unit in Vietnam: The 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate) was the first major U.S. Army unit deployed to Vietnam, arriving in May 1965. • Nickname - "Sky Soldiers": The brigade is famously known as the "Sky Soldiers," a name reportedly given by Taiwanese paratroopers during a joint training exercise. • Okinawa Origins: The unit was activated on the island of Okinawa in 1963, serving as a fast-deployment force for the Pacific region. • Operation Hump: On November 8, 1965, the brigade fought in Operation Hump, where it faced a large Viet Cong force. The battle was later memorialized in a song by Big & Rich. • Battle of Dak To: The 173d participated in the fierce Battle of Dak To in November 1967, including the legendary assault on Hill 875, suffering heavy casualties. • Combat Jump in Vietnam: On February 22, 1967, the brigade made the only combat parachute jump of the Vietnam War during Operation Junction City. • Medal of Honor Recipients: The unit boasts 14 Medal of Honor recipients for its actions during the Vietnam War. • Separate Status: The "Separate" designation meant the brigade operated independently and was not assigned to a larger division. • Reactivation in Europe: The 173d was inactivated after Vietnam in 1972, but was reactivated in 2000 in Italy, serving as the United States Army’s airborne infantry brigade in Europe. • Modern Deployments: Since reactivation, the brigade has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan multiple times, continuing its legacy as a rapid deployment force.