About this Unit
The 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment (1/9th Cavalry) was originally constituted in 1866 and has a distinguished history, particularly during the Vietnam War. Serving as the reconnaissance element for the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), 1/9th Cavalry earned the nickname "The Headhunters" for its aggressive and effective scouting and combat missions. The unit pioneered air cavalry tactics, using helicopters for rapid deployment and surprise attacks deep in enemy territory. Over the course of the Vietnam conflict, 1/9th Cavalry earned numerous unit commendations and became one of the most decorated units in U.S. Army history.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: The 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment (1/9th Cavalry) traces its lineage to the 9th Cavalry Regiment, one of the original "Buffalo Soldier" regiments formed in 1866. However, the 1/9th Cavalry as a modern unit was activated in 1942.
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Vietnam War "Air Cav" Pioneers: The 1/9th Cavalry was one of the first units to fully utilize helicopters for reconnaissance and combat, earning the nickname "First Team" and "Headhunters."
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Impressive Combat Record: During the Vietnam War, 1/9th Cavalry was credited with finding more enemy and capturing more weapons than any other single unit in Vietnam.
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Distinctive Callsigns: The unit's Troops (companies) used distinctive callsigns such as "Cav," "Saber," "Longknife," and "Headhunter" which became legendary in Army aviation.
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High Casualty Rate: The 1/9th Cavalry suffered significant casualties in Vietnam, leading to the nickname "The Suicide Squad," reflecting its dangerous reconnaissance missions.
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Decorations and Honors: The unit was awarded numerous decorations, including Presidential Unit Citations and multiple Valorous Unit Awards for extraordinary heroism in combat.
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Role in "We Were Soldiers": The unit, as part of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), played a prominent role in the Ia Drang Valley campaign, depicted in the book and film We Were Soldiers Once… And Young.
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Innovations in Air Mobility: The tactics and organization developed by 1/9th Cavalry during the Vietnam War became the blueprint for modern air cavalry operations.
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Legendary Squadron Patch: The squadron's patch features the famous crossed sabers, symbolizing its lineage to the cavalry traditions of the U.S. Army.
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Modern Service: Today, the 1/9th Cavalry continues its legacy as a reconnaissance and security squadron, having served in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the Global War on Terrorism.
