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History of 11th Light Infantry Brigade, AMERICAL Division

The **11th Light Infantry Brigade** was a key unit of the U.S. Army’s **AMERICAL Division** (23rd Infantry Division) during the Vietnam War. Activated in 1967, the brigade deployed to Vietnam and operated primarily in the Quang Ngai Province, conducting search and destroy missions, security operations, and counterinsurgency efforts against Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces. The brigade is perhaps most historically noted for its involvement in the controversial My Lai Massacre in March 1968, an event that had profound effects on American public opinion regarding the war. Throughout its deployment, the 11th Light Infantry Brigade faced intense combat, challenging terrain, and complex political circumstances before being inactivated in 1971 as U.S. forces withdrew from Vietnam.

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ABOUT 11th Light Infantry Brigade, AMERICAL Division

  • Formation and Naming: The 11th Light Infantry Brigade was activated on 6 May 1967 and became a principal subordinate unit of the 23rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL) during the Vietnam War.
  • Origins of "AMERICAL": The AMERICAL Division was the only U.S. Army division formed outside the United States during World War II, its name deriving from "American" and "New Caledonia" (where it was formed).
  • Subordinate Units: The brigade was composed of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry; 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry; and 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, along with supporting artillery and engineer units.
  • Deployment to Vietnam: The 11th LIB arrived in Vietnam in December 1967, establishing its base in Duc Pho, Quang Ngai Province, a region with a strong Viet Cong presence.
  • Role in the My Lai Incident: The 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry of the 11th LIB was involved in the tragic My Lai Massacre of March 16, 1968—one of the most infamous war crimes in U.S. military history.
  • Operation Wheeler/Wallowa: The brigade participated in this large-scale search-and-destroy mission in the Quang Ngai and Quang Tin provinces, aiming to disrupt North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong operations.
  • Combat Tactics: As a "light" infantry unit, the brigade specialized in rapid movement, jungle warfare, and helicopter-borne airmobile operations, adjusting to Vietnam's challenging terrain.
  • Medal of Honor Recipients: Several soldiers from the 11th LIB were awarded the Medal of Honor, including Sgt. Robert F. Stryker (posthumously) for actions near Loc Ninh in 1967.
  • Casualties and Sacrifice: Between 1967 and 1971, the 11th LIB suffered significant casualties, reflecting the intensity of operations in their area of responsibility.
  • Deactivation: The 11th Light Infantry Brigade was inactivated on 15 November 1971 as the U.S. reduced its military presence in Vietnam, closing a controversial and challenging chapter in U.S. Army history.

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