About this Unit
The 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment (4/39th IN), was an integral unit of the 9th Infantry Division (9th ID) during the Vietnam War. Activated in 1966, the battalion deployed to Vietnam and conducted combat operations throughout the Mekong Delta region, participating in major campaigns such as the Tet Counteroffensive and Operation Speedy Express. The “Fighting Falcons” earned a reputation for tenacity and professionalism, engaging in both conventional and counterinsurgency missions. Following the drawdown of U.S. forces in Southeast Asia, the 4/39th Infantry was inactivated in 1970 as part of the division’s redeployment.
Historical Facts
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Unit Designation: The 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment (4/39th Infantry) was part of the 9th Infantry Division (9th ID), a storied division in the U.S. Army.
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Vietnam War Service: The 4/39th Infantry served with distinction in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1970, primarily operating in the challenging Mekong Delta region.
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Nickname: The 39th Infantry Regiment is nicknamed “Fighting Falcons” and its motto is “Ducti Amore Patriae” (“Having Been Led By Love of Country”).
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Mobile Riverine Force: The 4/39th was one of the first infantry battalions to operate as part of the Mobile Riverine Force, conducting joint operations with the U.S. Navy in riverine assault craft.
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Combat Action: The battalion participated in major operations like Operation CORONADO and Operation SPEEDY EXPRESS, often engaging Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army units in intense combat.
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Innovative Tactics: The 4/39th and the 9th ID were pioneers in “aero-riverine” tactics, combining helicopters, river craft, and swift ground assaults to strike enemy forces in the Delta.
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Decorations: Soldiers of the 4/39th earned numerous awards for valor, including Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, and Purple Hearts for their actions in Vietnam.
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Heroic Stories: One well-known story involves Staff Sergeant Clifford Sims of the 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry, who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his bravery in 1968, reflecting the valor seen throughout the regiment, including the 4/39th.
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Post-Vietnam Legacy: After the Vietnam War, the 4/39th was inactivated as part of the drawdown but its lineage and honors remain preserved in the U.S. Army’s regimental system.
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Veterans Associations: Former members of the 4/39th Infantry maintain active veteran associations, reunions, and memorial projects to honor their service and fallen comrades.