About this Unit
The 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (1/7th Cavalry) is a storied unit of the United States Army with origins dating back to the Indian Wars. Famously, the battalion served under Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer during the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. In the 20th century, 1/7th Cavalry distinguished itself in the Pacific Theater during World War II and later played a prominent role in the Vietnam War, notably participating in the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965. More recently, the unit has seen deployments in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, solidifying its legacy as one of the Army's most decorated and battle-tested battalions.
Historical Facts
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Origins in the Old West: The 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (1/7th Cavalry) traces its lineage back to the 7th Cavalry Regiment, which was constituted in 1866. It became famous under the command of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer during the Indian Wars.
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Battle of Little Bighorn: Elements of the original 7th Cavalry, led by Custer, were involved in the infamous 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, often referred to as "Custer's Last Stand."
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World War II Deployment: During WWII, the 1/7th Cavalry fought in the Pacific Theater, including campaigns in the Admiralty Islands, Leyte, and Luzon as part of the 1st Cavalry Division.
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Korean War Service: The battalion was among the first U.S. Army units to arrive in Korea, playing a critical role in the defense of the Pusan Perimeter and the advance to the Yalu River.
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Vietnam War and "We Were Soldiers": The 1/7th Cavalry became one of the first air-mobile units, famously fighting in the 1965 Battle of Ia Drang. This battle was depicted in the book and film "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young," where Lt. Col. Hal Moore commanded 1/7th Cav.
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Adoption of Airmobile Tactics: The Ia Drang campaign marked the first large-scale use of helicopters in combat, revolutionizing how U.S. forces deployed and fought in Vietnam.
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Gulf War Actions: 1/7th Cavalry participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, leading the 1st Cavalry Division’s attack and helping to liberate Kuwait.
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Global War on Terror: The battalion has been deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, participating in key operations such as the battles for Fallujah and the campaign in Kandahar.
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Regimental Motto: The 7th Cavalry's motto is "Garryowen," a nod to the Irish tune that became the regiment's march and symbolizes its storied legacy.
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Unit Legacy and Honors: The 1/7th Cavalry has earned numerous unit citations and campaign streamers, and its troopers continue to uphold a tradition of bravery and innovation in U.S. military history.
