About this Unit
Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, has a storied history as part of the famed "Screaming Eagles." Activated during the Vietnam War, the 3rd Brigade played a crucial role in major operations such as the Battle of Hamburger Hill and the defense of Firebase Ripcord. Over the decades, HHC 3rd Brigade provided command and control for its subordinate units during deployments to Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The unit continues to serve as a vital element in the 101st Airborne Division, renowned for its rapid deployment capabilities and combat readiness.
Historical Facts
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Distinctive Unit: HHC (Headquarters and Headquarters Company), 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division is known as "Rakkasan" – a nickname derived from the Japanese word for parachute, which was adopted during the occupation of Japan after World War II.
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Vietnam War Heroics: During the Vietnam War, the 3rd Brigade, including HHC, played a major role in the Battle of Hamburger Hill (Hill 937) in May 1969, one of the most intense and controversial battles of the conflict.
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Air Assault Pioneers: The 101st Airborne Division, including its 3rd Brigade and HHC, is renowned for transitioning from traditional parachute operations to becoming the U.S. Army’s first Air Assault Division, specializing in helicopter-borne operations.
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Operation Desert Storm: HHC 3rd Brigade was part of the famous "left hook" maneuver that helped encircle and defeat Iraqi forces during the Gulf War in 1991.
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Decorations: The unit and its subordinates have earned numerous awards, including Presidential Unit Citations and Valorous Unit Awards for actions in World War II, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
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World War II Origins: The 3rd Brigade traces its lineage back to the original 187th Glider Infantry Regiment, which fought in the Pacific Theater and later became part of the 101st Airborne.
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Peacekeeping in the Balkans: HHC 3rd Bde took part in peacekeeping deployments to Bosnia and Kosovo in the late 1990s and early 2000s, helping stabilize the region after the Yugoslav Wars.
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Operation Iraqi Freedom: The brigade, with HHC at its core, participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and subsequent occupation, leading operations in Mosul and other key areas.
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Afghanistan Deployments: HHC 3rd Bde 101st Airborne took part in multiple deployments to Afghanistan, playing crucial roles in counterinsurgency and nation-building efforts.
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Cultural Legacy: The Rakkasan crest and motto, "Ne Desit Virtus" ("Let Valor Not Fail"), are widely recognized symbols of the unit’s courage and dedication, proudly worn by HHC soldiers past and present.
