196 Infantry Vietnam

• Formation and Designation: The 196th Infantry Brigade, also known as the "Chargers," was activated in September 1965 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, specifically for service in the Vietnam War. • Deployment to Vietnam: The unit deployed to Vietnam in July 1966, initially operating as a separate brigade before joining larger formations. • Part of Operation Attleboro: The 196th Infantry Brigade played a significant role in Operation Attleboro in late 1966, one of the largest search and destroy missions of the war, uncovering major Viet Cong supply caches. • Americal Division Assignment: In September 1967, the 196th became part of the reactivated 23rd Infantry Division (Americal), alongside the 11th and 198th Infantry Brigades. • Battle of Kham Duc: Elements of the 196th fought in the intense Battle of Kham Duc in May 1968, helping evacuate the besieged Special Forces camp under heavy enemy attack. • Engagement in Tet Offensive: The brigade was actively engaged during the 1968 Tet Offensive, repelling enemy attacks and conducting counteroffensive operations. • Decorations and Honors: The 196th Infantry Brigade earned numerous unit citations, including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Valorous Unit Award, for extraordinary heroism in combat. • Notable Medal of Honor Recipients: Several soldiers from the 196th received the Medal of Honor for their valor, including SPC4 Thomas W. Bennett, a combat medic who sacrificed his life aiding wounded comrades. • Longevity in Vietnam: The 196th was one of the last combat infantry brigades to leave Vietnam, remaining until June 1972, long after many other U.S. combat units had redeployed. • Legacy and Reassignment: After Vietnam, the brigade was inactivated in 1972, but later reactivated in Hawaii. Today, the 196th Infantry Brigade serves as a training and readiness unit in the U.S. Army Pacific.