Co A 75th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Mech. Inf. Div.

• Origins: Company A, 75th Support Battalion was part of the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), a unit with roots dating back to World War I. The 5th Infantry Division was first organized in 1917. • Vietnam War Service: The 75th Support Battalion, including Company A, was activated for service during the Vietnam War, supporting the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), especially in the Quảng Trị Province from 1968 to 1971. • Mechanized Support: As a support company in a mechanized division, Co A provided vital logistics, maintenance, and supply functions to armored and mechanized infantry units, ensuring the operational readiness of M113 APCs, M551 Sheridans, and other vehicles. • Lam Son 719: The unit played a key logistical and support role during Operation Lam Son 719 in 1971, supporting ARVN and US forces during the incursion into Laos, one of the largest operations of the Vietnam War. • Combat Support: Unlike traditional rear-echelon units, support battalions in Vietnam, including Co A, often operated in dangerous environments, coming under mortar and rocket attacks and sometimes direct ground assaults. • Red Diamond Insignia: The 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) was known as the “Red Diamond” Division, and Company A, 75th Support Battalion wore the iconic patch, symbolizing their connection to a storied legacy. • Decorations: The 75th Support Battalion and its companies, including Company A, received several unit citations for their service in Vietnam, including the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. • Support for Civilian Aid: Alongside combat operations, members of the battalion often participated in civic action programs, delivering medical and food aid to local Vietnamese civilians as part of “hearts and minds” campaigns. • Deactivation and Legacy: After the US withdrawal from Vietnam, the 75th Support Battalion was inactivated in the early 1970s, but its lineage and honors were later carried forward by other support and sustainment units in the US Army. • Veteran Reunions: Former members of Company A, 75th Support Battalion have held reunions and maintain alumni networks, preserving the memory and brotherhood forged during their Vietnam service.