co. D 1st BN 11th BDE 5th DIV (M)

• Distinctive Unit: Company D, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) was a U.S. Army unit primarily active during the Vietnam War. • Mechanized Power: The 5th Infantry Division (M) was one of the few mechanized divisions deployed to Vietnam, utilizing M113 armored personnel carriers and M48 Patton tanks for increased mobility and firepower. • Vietnam Deployment: The 11th Infantry Brigade was deployed to Vietnam in late 1967, initially operating in the I Corps Tactical Zone, including the challenging terrain of Quang Ngai and Quang Tin provinces. • Red Diamond Patch: Soldiers of Co. D wore the distinctive red diamond insignia of the 5th Infantry Division, a symbol with origins dating back to World War I. • Operation Lamar Plain: In 1969, the unit participated in Operation Lamar Plain, a major offensive against North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong forces in the Que Son Valley, resulting in significant enemy casualties and disruption of enemy supply lines. • Defending Quang Tri: The 1st Battalion, including Co. D, played a key role in defending Quang Tri Province, facing frequent attacks from the NVA due to the province's proximity to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). • Medal of Honor Recipient: Specialist Four Donald Sloat, from Company D, posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Quang Tin Province in January 1970, sacrificing his life to save fellow soldiers from a grenade. • Combined Arms Operations: The unit often worked closely with armor, artillery, and air support, showcasing the effectiveness of combined arms tactics in Vietnam's varied terrain. • Transition and Drawdown: The 5th Infantry Division began withdrawing from Vietnam in 1971 as part of the U.S. policy of "Vietnamization," turning over operations to South Vietnamese forces. • Legacy and Commemoration: Veterans of Co. D, 1st BN, 11th BDE, 5th DIV (M) have held reunions and contributed to oral history projects, preserving their experiences and honoring their fallen comrades.