52nd Infantry Regiment (United States)

52nd Infantry Regiment

Coat of arms
Active 1917-
Country  United States
Branch  United States Army
Type Infantry
Nickname(s) "Ready Rifles" (special designation)[1]
Motto(s) "Fortis et Certus" (Brave and True)
Infantry colors Blue and white
Engagements World War I
World War II
Vietnam War
Iraq Campaign
Afghanistan
Insignia
Colors
Distinctive unit insignia
U.S. Infantry Regiments
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51st Infantry Regiment 53rd Infantry Regiment

The 52nd Infantry Regiment ("Ready Rifles"[1]) is an infantry regiment of the United States Army.

The charges on the canton of the regiment's coat of arms represent the 11th Infantry from which this regiment was formed in 1917. Its first combat service was in World War I in the Gerardmer Sector in Alsace, a short distance west of Colmar. The bend from the arms of Alsace has been charged with the 6th Division shoulder sleeve insignia to show that the regiment was with that division in France.

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 52d Infantry Regiment on 29 June 1921. It was redesignated for the 52d Armored Infantry Regiment on 29 September 1942. The insignia was redesignated for the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion on 6 January 1944. It was redesignated for the 52d Infantry Regiment on 31 October 1958.

History

The regiment was first activated 16 June 1917, at Chickamauga, Georgia. The unit first saw combat in Meuse-Argonne, in Northern France, and in Alsace, France, during World War I.

World War I

After the 52nd Infantry Regiment's activation in 1917, the regiment was assigned to the Sixth Infantry Division. The Sixth Division was organized in November 1917 as a square division consisting of the 51st, 52nd, 53rd, and the 54th Infantry Regiments, the 16th, 17th and 18th Machine-Gun Battalions and the 3rd, 11th and 78th Field Artillery Regiments. The units of the division gathered in New York and left for France in July 1918. After marching and training all over western France, the Sixth was assigned on 31 August to the Vosges sector. There, a chain of lofty wooded peaks had stalemated both the French and German armies. Their mission was the defense of a 21-mile front. The division engaged in active patrols in no man's land and behind the German lines. In addition infantry platoon strongpoints defended against German raiding parties which launched their attacks using liquid fire and grenades.

6th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia

The division developed its reputation for hiking and nickname of "The Sightseeing Sixth" when, prior to the Argonne offensive, it engaged in extensive fake marches, often under enemy artillery and air bombardment, to deceive the Germans into thinking a major attack was to take place in the Vosges sector. After another short period of training, consisting primarily of forced marches, the division hiked itself into the closing campaign of the war, the Meuse-Argonne offensive. In corps reserve, the 6th was used in place of an unavailable cavalry division to try to maintain contact with the rapidly retreating Germans. During its three months at the front, the 6th Division lost 227 men killed in action or died of wounds. It maintained an active defense in one important sector and played a major role in the tactical plan in another.

After the armistice, the six-point Red Star was adopted as the division insignia on 19 November 1918. This six-point Red Star became a part of the 52d Infantry's crest to mark the regiment's first combat with the 6th Division. The bulk of the division returned to the States in June 1919 aboard the USS Leviathan. The division continued its service at Camp Grant, Illinois and was deactivated on 30 September 1921.[2]

World War II

U.S. Army personnel crosses the Ludendorff Bridge

After a period of inactivation, C Company, 52d Infantry Regiment was redesignated and activated as C Company, 52d Armored Infantry on 15 July 1942 as an element of the 9th Armored Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. They would deploy with the 9th Armored Division to France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany after a two-month train up in England. The company served in Europe with the 9th Division from 31 July 1944 to 6 May 1945, including a weeklong attachment to the 8th Infantry Division from 23 October 1944 to 30 October 1944.[3]

The 9th Division was one of several real US Army divisions that participated in Operation Fortitude, the deception operation mounted by the US-British to deceive the Germans about the real landing site for Operation Neptune, the amphibious invasion of Northern France. The 9th was assigned to a camp on the British coastline opposite of the German defenses in Pas-de-Calais, ostensibly as part of the "First US Army Group" (FUSAG) under General Patton. While its members undertook training for the real invasion of the Normandy coast, the divisional headquarters was used to convey phony radio messages with the fake FUSAG HQ to make the Germans believe that an invasion of Pas-de-Calais by a massive army was the real intent of the Allies. The ruse was so successful that the German high command was completely fooled, and concentrated their reserves away from the Normandy coast. In honor of their participation in this deception, the 9th was officially nicknamed the "Phantom Division." The 9th Armored Division landed in Normandy late in September 1944, and first went into line, 23 October, on patrol duty in a quiet sector along the Luxembourg-German frontier. When the Germans launched their winter offensive, the 9th, with no real combat experience, suddenly found itself engaged in heavy fighting. The division saw its severest action at St. Vith, Echternach, and Bastogne, its units fighting in widely separated areas.


Its stand at Bastogne held off the Germans long enough to enable the 101st Airborne to dig in for a defense of the city. After a rest period in January 1945, the division made preparations for a drive across the Rur river. The offensive was launched, 28 February, and the 9th smashed across the Rur to Rheinbach, sending patrols into Remagen. The Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen was found intact, and was seized by elements of the 9th Armored minutes before demolition charges were set to explode on 7 March 1945. The division exploited the bridgehead, moving south and east across the river Lahn toward Limburg an der Lahn, where thousands of Allied prisoners were liberated. The 52d Armored Infantry Battalion held back an advancing Nazi armor and infantry force while the 101st Airborne set up defenses in Bastogne, resulting in successful retention of the city. Soldiers of C Company, 52d Armored Infantry Battalion rescued four American tanks caught in a Nazi complex attack.[4]

Following operations at the Remagen bridgehead, the division drove on to Frankfurt and then turned to assist in the closing of the Ruhr Pocket. In April it continued east, encircled Leipzig and secured a line along the Mulde river. The division was shifting south to Czechoslovakia when the war in Europe ended.[5]

Vietnam

During the Vietnam War, the 52nd Infantry participated in multiple counter offenses, earning one Presidential Unit Citation and three Meritorious Unit Commendations for operations in Saigon and other areas of Vietnam.[6]

Arrival
Date		 Base
Camp		 Forward
Location		 Major
Command		 Notes
1st Battalion, 52nd Infantry Regiment
Arrived in Vietnam on 10 February 1968
February 1968 Chu Lai Chu Lai 198th Light Infantry Brigade Light Infantry Role
November 1968 Tam Ky Tam Ky
December 1968 Chu Lai Chu Lai
February 1969 Chu Lai Chu Lai 23rd Infantry Division (United States) Light Infantry Role
December 1969 Dong Le
April 1970 Long Phu
August 1970 Trung Canh
September 1970 My Son
November 1970 Tri Binh
December 1970 Chu Lai
August 1971 The Loi 11th Infantry Brigade Light Infantry Role
Battalion DEROS at end of October 1971
Company C, 52nd Infantry Regiment
Arrived in Vietnam on 1 December 1966
Saigon Saigon 716th Military Police Battalion Unit had Rifle Security role supporting the Military Police
Company C, 52nd Infantry Regiment
DEROS 15 August 1972
Company D, 52nd Infantry Regiment
Arrived in Vietnam on 26 November 1966
26 November 1966 Long Binh Long Binh 95th Military Police Battalion Unit had rifle security role supporting the military police
Company D, 52nd Infantry Regiment
DEROS 22 November 1969
Company D, 52nd Infantry Regiment
Returned to Vietnam on 30 June 1971
26 November 1966 Qui Nhon Qui Nhon US Army Support Command, Qui Nhon Unit staffed the Security Facilities of Qui Nhon Depot the Port of Qui Nhon, and the Qui Nhon Army Airfield.
Company D, 52nd Infantry Regiment
DEROS 26 November 1972
Company E, 52nd Infantry Regiment
Activated in Vietnam on 20 December 1967
20 December 1967 An Khe Roving 1st Cavalry Division Unit operated as a separate long range reconnaissance patrol company.
Company E, 52nd Infantry Regiment
Inactivated in Vietnam on 1 February 1969
Company F, 52nd Infantry Regiment
Activated in Vietnam on 20 December 1967
20 December 1967 Various Various 1st Infantry Division. Unit operated as a separate long range reconnaissance patrol company.
Company F, 52nd Infantry Regiment
Inactivated in Vietnam on 1 February 1969

C Company, 52d Infantry in Vietnam

C Company, 52d Infantry served in Vietnam from 1 December 1966 to 15 August 1972. In 1971, the company had an authorized strength of 137 infantrymen. Three years earlier in 1968, C Company, 52d Infantry had an authorized strength of 151 infantrymen. The company was a rifle security company assigned to bolster the infantry capabilities of the 716th MP Battalion (89th Military Police Group, 18th Military Police Brigade), which was responsible for providing security to the US facilities in the Saigon area. The status of forces agreement between the US and the South Vietnamese government prohibited stationing US combat forces in Saigon. As a result, the only forces within Saigon, C Company, 52d Infantry, with the 716th Military Police Battalion, the 527th Military Police Company, and the 90th Military Police Detachment, were equipped only with hand-held light arms.

They were on alert and expected isolated terrorists attacks. However, they would soon face the Tet offensive, an all out communist attack throughout the whole of Vietnam. The North Vietnamese violated the Tet holiday cease-fire in order to gain surprise against U.S. and South Vietnamese forces. Although U.S. intelligence anticipated the cease-fire would be violated, no one expected an all out attack within the city of Saigon. Instead, they would face some 4000 Viet Cong guerillas, many of whom had infiltrated Saigon during holiday festivities and were nearly indistinguishable from the local populace. In the early morning hours of 31 January 1968, these forces attacked facilities throughout Saigon almost simultaneously. C Company, 52d Infantry, along with the 716th MP and attached forces, would find themselves defending the US Embassy, Saigon[7] against not only superior numbers but superior armament as well.

The security policemen on the perimeter could hear muffled gunfire as the VC shot up some of the bachelor officers' quarters and bachelor enlisted quarters along Plantation Road, which ran south through Cholon from the main gate of Tan Son Nhut. Five troops were killed, including a young enlisted man passing through on a Honda motorcycle on his way to his duty station. An MP jeep patrol was pinned down upon responding to the attack. The reaction team that arrived to reinforce the situation was headed by Staff Sergeant Jimmy Bedgood of C Company, 52d Infantry, a security-guard company made up of combat infantry veterans that was attached to the 716th Military Police Battalion. The reaction team provided the cover fire that allowed the jeep patrol to get out of harm's way. In the process, an RPG slammed into the reaction team's jeep, wounding several GIs and killing Bedgood, a twenty-one-year-old wild Georgia boy who was already on his third tour in Vietnam, having previously humped the bush as a grunt with the Big Red One and the 9th Infantry Division.[8] An article in a Military Police publication described the actions of SSG Herman Holness that day:

SPC Troy Hirni, II was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with V Device for actions during the Tet Offensive that resulted in his death, 31 January 1968
Staff Sergeant Herman Holness served in Company C, 52d Infantry, 716th Military Police Battalion. Company C, along with other infantry rifle companies, was assigned to the 716th Military Police Battalion and the 18th Military Police Brigade to reinforce security forces. These Soldiers performed numerous tasks and duties alongside their military police counterparts. Security guard duty and work with the military police led to “SG” markings on their helmet liners and brassards. On 31 January 1968, Staff Sergeant Holness was part of a reaction force sent to relieve a fellow unit that was under attack in the vicinity of the Phu Tho racetrack. While moving through the city, the lead vehicle of his unit was attacked by Viet Cong forces using mines and machine guns. The men in the vehicle were seriously wounded and trapped out in the open. Staff Sergeant Holness advanced to the disabled vehicle and caught the attention of the enemy, who diverted fire to his location, allowing the wounded men to exit the vehicle. When Staff Sergeant Holness reached cover behind the vehicle, he returned fire on the enemy position with devastating effect. While still under enemy fire, he began pulling the wounded Soldiers to safety. Although badly injured himself, Staff Sergeant Holness refused medical aid until his fellow Soldiers had been evacuated. In recognition of his selfless service, Staff Sergeant Holness was awarded the Silver Star.[9]

As both military police and marine reaction forces responded to the embassy, a stalemate ensued. Military police surrounded the compound and exchanged fire with the guerillas on the grounds, but could not enter the compound due to the volume of fire and uncertainty as to the enemy's disposition. The Viet Cong could not enter the embassy building and could not exit the compound. Additionally, an infantry reaction force that attempted to land by helicopter on the roof of the embassy was repulsed by enemy fire. At dawn, the order was given to retake the compound. Military police rammed the embassy's main gate and stormed the compound led by PFC Paul Healy of B Company, 716th Military Police Battalion. When the embassy was resecured, 19 dead Viet Cong were found and one was captured.

Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, none of the facilities in the charge of C-52d Infantry and the 716th MP Battalion were captured during the VC assault. The company's performance during Tet was recognized by the Presidential Unit Citation, but the award came at a high price. Along with 27 soldiers of the 716th MP, nine C-52d soldiers gave their lives during the first day's fighting in defense of the U.S. Embassy:[10]

For their actions in Saigon and in defense of the U.S. Embassy, four soldiers of C-52d IN received the military's third highest award, the Silver Star: SFC James R. Lobato, SSG Herman Holness, SPC Bruce McCartney, and SPC Vincent R. Giovanelli. A 20-year-old native of Perryopolis, Pennsylvania, SPC Giovanelli also was awarded "the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star Medal for heroism." The "presentation [of his Silver Star] was made 12 April [1968] near Saigon by Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, [then] deputy commanding general, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam."

SPC VINCENT GIOVANELLI, SILVER STAR
CITATION:
FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION WHILE ENGAGED IN MILITARY OPERATIONS INVOLVING CONFLICT WITH AN ARMED HOSTILE FORCE IN THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM.
 
NARRATIVE SUMMARY:
Spec. 4 Giovanelli distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 Jan. 1968 while serving with a military police alert force during a combined Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army offensive against Saigon.

The enemy had launched concerted attacks throughout the city and his unit was called to assist friendly forces engaged in a firefight near the Phy Tho race track. While en route to the location, the alert force was savagely ambushed by insurgents firing Claymore mines, rockets and automatic weapons.

Spec. Giovanelli leaped from his vehicle and immediately returned fire on the enemy. Observing several wounded comrades in the ambush killing zone 50 meters to his front, he moved forward through a withering hail of bullets to aid them.

This action drew the enemy fire toward him and enabled the casualties to seek cover behind their burning vehicle. When he reached their position, Spec. Giovanelli laid down a fierce base of fire on the insurgents and assisted in moving the wounded to a secure area.

His fearless and determined efforts in the face of grave danger saved the lives of several fellow soldiers. Spec. 4 Giovanelli's gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

21st century

M1134 Stryker ATGM

In May 2000, the Army stood up its first Stryker Brigade Combat Team (3d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Lewis, WA) under former Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki's Stryker Interim-Force Brigade Combat Team initiative. In September 2000, A-D Companies of 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor Regiment were reflagged as 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment (RSTA) while Company E, 1–32 AR was reflagged as Company C, 52d Infantry Regiment.[11] The company is commonly referred to as C-52, "Charlie, 52nd" and is nicknamed "Avalanche". As the Army stood up a total of six Stryker brigades by 2008, each anti-tank company was flagged as a separate company of the 52d Infantry Regiment. The commander of Company C, 52d Infantry Regiment, as the first company reactivated under the 52d Infantry, holds the regimental colors and is the regimental commander.

From September 2000, C-52d IN has served as the anti-tank company in support of 3d Brigade, 2d Infantry Division. The company holds a strength of 53 soldiers and 11 Stryker vehicles and has been most notably utilized to provide anti-tank support to the brigade's three Infantry battalions (1–23 IN, 2–3 IN, 5–20 IN) and other task forces operating in or near the brigade's area of operations.

Company C, 52d Infantry deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, initially helping to facilitate the first democratic election in the country's history and secondly serving as a reserve element for the 3d BCT, 2d Infantry Division.

Most recently, Company D, 52nd Infantry deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving both as a stand-alone, battle space owning company, and as a support element for 1st battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment.

Even more recent, Company F, 52nd Infantry deployed also in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving both as a stand-alone, battle space owning company, and as a support element for 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment and 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in Panjwai, Kandahar Afghanistan.

F Co, 52nd Infantry conducts a mounted patrol through Nejat, Panjwai, Afghanistan
Stryker brigade Company Nickname Deployments
3d BCT, 2d Infantry Division Co C, 52d IN Hellcat (formerly Avalanche) 3 – 4 November; 6 July – 7 September; 9 – 10 August
2d Cavalry Regiment Co K, 52d IN Killer 4 – 5 November; 7 August – 8 November
1st SBCT, 25th Infantry Division (formerly 172d BCT) Co D, 52d IN Hellcat 5 September – 6 December; 8 – 9 September; 11–12 April
4th BCT, 2d Infantry Division Co F, 52d IN[12] Fierce 7 March – 8 June; 9 – 10 September
2d BCT, 25th Infantry Division Co B, 52d IN Hammer 7 – 8 December
2d BCT, 2nd Infantry Division Co A, 52d IN Spartans 9 – 10 July

Lineage

  1. HHC, 52nd Armored Infantry Regiment (less 1st, 2d, and 3d Battalions) as the 52nd Armored Infantry Battalion.
  2. 1st Battalion as the 60th Armored Infantry Battalion.
  3. 2nd Battalion as the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion.
  4. 3rd Battalion disbanded, with the assets and personnel being assumed by the 52nd Armored Infantry Battalion.
  1. HHC, 52nd Infantry Regiment (less 1st, 2d, and 3d Battalions) as the 52nd Armored Infantry Battalion.
  2. 1st Battalion as the 560th Armored Infantry Battalion.
  3. 2nd Battalion as the 527th Armored Infantry Battalion.
  4. Former 3rd Battalion reconstituted as the 528th Armored Infantry Battalion.
  1. 52nd, 560th, 527th, and 528th Armored Infantry Battalions consolidated to form the 52nd Infantry Regiment, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System.
  2. 560th Armored Infantry Battalion Redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battle Group, 52nd Infantry Regiment.
  3. 527th Infantry Battalion Redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battle Group, 52nd Infantry Regiment.
  1. 3rd Battle Group, 52nd Infantry Regiment Redesignated as Company C, 52nd Infantry Regiment.
  2. 4th Battle Group, 52nd Infantry Regiment Redesignated as Company D, 52nd Infantry Regiment.
  1. Company C, 52nd Infantry Regiment Activated at Fort Lewis, Washington.
  2. Company D, 52nd Infantry Regiment Activated at Fort Lewis, Washington.
  1. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 6th Battle Group, 52d Infantry Redesignated as Company F, 52d Infantry, and activated in Vietnam.
  2. Company E, 52nd Infantry Regiment arrived in Vietnam.
  1. Company E, 52nd Infantry Regiment Inactivated in Vietnam.
  2. Company F, 52nd Infantry Regiment Inactivated in Vietnam.
  1. Regiment Withdrawn from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System.
  2. 1st Battalion Activated at Fort Irwin, California.
  1. Regiment Redesignated as the 52nd Infantry Regiment.
  2. Company A, 52nd Infantry Regiment Redesignated Company A, 52nd Infantry Regiment.
  1. Company D, 52nd Infantry Regiment Inactivated at Fort Lewis, Washington, and relieved from assignment to the 25th Infantry Division.
  2. Company F, 52nd Infantry Regiment Assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Lewis, Washington.
  1. Company A, 52nd Infantry Regiment Inactivated at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and relieved from assignment to the 172d Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
  2. Company D, 52nd Infantry Regiment Assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Honors

Campaign participation credit
Decorations

Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for: LUXEMBOURG, ST. VITH, BASTOGNE, REMAGEN BRIDGEHEAD, SAIGON - TET OFFENSIVE

Army Superior Unit Award for 1988, 1991, 2000

History

World War II service

In World War II, the 52nd Infantry, as the 60th Armored Infantry, battled the Germans in central Europe.[13] For actions in Luxembourg, Bastogne, and the Remagen Bridgehead in Germany, the unit was awarded three Presidential Unit Citations.

Date Event Location Major
Command		 Notes
27th Armored Infantry Battalion
9 October 1943 2/52nd Armored Infantry Regiment
Reorganized & redesignated as
27th Armored Infantry Battalion.		 Camp Young, California 9th Armored Division Triangularization program
20 August 1944 Deployment New York Port of Embarkation (POE) Assigned to European Theater of War
26 August 1944 Arrival in England Training & equipping for entry to France
29 August 1944 Arrival in France Unit prepared to join 9th Armored Division
15 September 1944 Start of Rhineland Campaign Unit entered combat
16 December 1944 Retasked to Ardennes-Alsace Campaign
25 January 1945 Ardennes-Alsace Campaign concluded. Returned to Rhineland Campaign
21 March 1945 Rhineland Campaign concluded Unit transitioned to Central Europe Campaign
22 March 1945 Start of Central Europe Campaign Start of final phase of European War.
9 May 1945 Surrender of German forces Mopping up & start of Occupation
11 May 1945 Central Europe Campaign complete Moved to occupation location
14 August 1945 Termination of all hostilities Wunsiedel, Germany Continued occupation & preparation for DEROS
13 October 1945 Unit arrived at Hampton Roads POE Newport News, Virginia Unit prepared for inactivation
27th Armored Infantry Battalion inactivated at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia
52nd Armored Infantry Battalion
9 October 1943 HHC/52nd Armored Infantry Regiment
Reorganized & Redesignated as
52nd Armored Infantry Battalion		 Camp Polk, Louisiana 9th Armored Division Triangularization
20 August 1944 Deployment New York POE Assigned to European Theater
26 August 1944 Arrival in England Training & equipping for entry to France
29 August 1944 Arrival in France Unit prepared to join 9th Armored Division
15 September 1944 Start of Rhineland Campaign Unit entered combat
16 December 1944 Retasked to Ardennes-Alsace Campaign
25 January 1945 Ardennes-Alsace Campaign concluded. Unit returned to Rhineland Campaign
21 March 1945 Rhineland Campaign concluded Unit transitioned to Central Europe Campaign
22 March 1945 Start of Central Europe Campaign Start of final phase of European War.
9 May 1945 Official Surrender of German Forces Mop up & start of Occupation
11 May 1945 Central Europe Campaign complete Moved to occupation location
14 August 1945 Termination of all hostilities Schonwald, Germany Unit continued occupation and preparation for DEROS
13 October 1945 Arrived at Hampton Roads POE Newport News, Virginia Unit prepared for inactivation
52nd Armored Infantry Battalion inactivated at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia
60th Armored Infantry Battalion
9 October 1943 1/52nd Armored Infantry Regiment
Reorganized & redesignated as
60th Armored Infantry Battalion		 Camp Young, California 9th Armored Division Triangularization
20 August 1944 Deployment New York POE Assigned to European Theater
26 August 1944 Arrival in England Training & equipping for entry to France
29 August 1944 Arrival in France Prepared to join 9th Armored Division]]
15 September 1944 Start of Rhineland Campaign Entered combat
16 December 1944 Retasked to Ardennes-Alsace Campaign
25 January 1945 Ardennes-Alsace Campaign concluded. Returned to Rhineland Campaign
21 March 1945 Rhineland Campaign concluded Transitioned to Central Europe Campaign
22 March 1945 Start of Central Europe Campaign Start of final phase of European War.
9 May 1945 Surrender of German forces Mop up & start of Occupation
11 May 1945 Central Europe Campaign complete Moved to occupation location
14 August 1945 Termination of all hostilities Coburg, Germany Continued occupation & preparation for DEROS
12 October 1945 Unit arrived at Hampton Roads POE Newport News, Virginia Prepared for inactivation
60th Armored Infantry Battalion inactivated at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia

Company C

Company C, 52d Infantry Regiment

Guidon
Active 1917-21
1942-45 (1943-45 as C/60 AIB)
1950-72
(1953-59 as C/560 AIB) (1959-66 as HHC/3 BG/52 IN)
2000 – present
Country United States of America
Branch United States Army
Type Long Range Surveillance
Role Long Range Surveillance
Size Company
Nickname(s) "Chaos"
Engagements World War I
World War II
Vietnam
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current
commander		 CPT Bradley J. Goodyear, Previous: Matthew Acosta, Chase S. Baker

C Company, 52d Infantry Regiment (Anti-Tank) was a Stryker anti-tank company task organized[14] under 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team). As a company of 54 infantrymen, the company conducted primarily infantry operations during three deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the first deployment of a Stryker brigade to Iraq (OIF 01-02), soldiers of C-52d IN earned five Bronze Stars, a Meritorious Unit Commendation,[15][16] and a Superior Unit Award.[17]

In the most recent deployment (OIF 06-08) C-52d IN operated in many significantly different roles and environments. Avalanche soldiers earned one Silver Star,[18][19][20][21] 16 Bronze Stars, 17 Purple Hearts[22] and received honors from the Washington State Senate[23] as a company of 3–2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team. C-52d IN was again deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF 09-10) in the Diyala province. Soldiers of C-52d IN worked along the eastern border with Iraqi police and regional border control units. Upon returning to the Fort Lewis, the company changed its nickname from "Avalanche" to "Hellcat" as a reference to the World War II anti-tank infantry. Charlie company also deployed in April 2012 to Afghanistan for nine months in support of operation enduring freedom.

In May 2015 the company was deactivated as an anti-tank infantry company and reactivated as the 1 Corps LRS Company attached to the 201st Military Intelligence Bridage.

Lineage

Iraq (OIF 01-02)

C-52 Patrols with Iraqi National Guard, 2004.

C Company, 52d Infantry Regiment was assigned to 3d Brigade, 2d Infantry Division during its deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 01-02 from November 2003 – November 2004. From December 2003 – January 2004, it supported 4th ID and 3-2 SBCT, the Army’s first Stryker brigade, during Operations Arrowhead Blizzard and Arrowhead Polaris, the brigade’s successful attack of insurgents in and around Samarra, Iraq[24] During twenty seven days of continuous combat operations in Samarra, the company contributed to significant losses to the enemy in terms of personnel and equipment and neutralized enemy activity throughout their battalion’s area of operations.

Upon completion, the company followed the brigade’s movement north in order to conduct a relief in place with 101st Airborne Division in Mosul, Iraq, where they operated out of Forward Operating Base Marez. Avalanche Company was assigned to Task Force Minute,[25] 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery under command of LTC Sliwa. During combat and stability operations in the Upper Tigris River Valley south of Mosul, the company conducted over 150 full spectrum missions totaling over 18,000 Stryker miles. The company regularly served as the Task Force Main Effort on many cordon and searches, convoy security, area and route reconnaissance, counter improvised explosive device (IED) sweeps, and counter mortar / area security operations, which resulted in significant losses to the enemy in terms of personnel and equipment, as well as neutralizing enemy activity in the company’s area of operations. Such areas as Hammam Al Alil, Ash Sharuh, Qayyarah, Hatra, Makhmur, and Tal Abjah were frequently patrolled.

Some of the operations the company conducted which led to the capture of both battalion or brigade high-value targets, as well as a multitude of caches, included Operations Decimation, H3, Thunderbolt, King’s Gambit, Warrior Strike, Avalanche Fury, and Operation Rude Awakening. On 4 June, C-52d IN was also responsible for the training and equipping of the new "Iraqi National Guard," in which the company trained 30 platoons comprising over 1,500 new Iraqi soldiers.[26]

The company successfully redeployed to Fort Lewis in November 2004 with no loss of equipment or life and was subsequently awarded with a Meritorious Unit Commendation and Superior Unit Award for their operations in theater. Avalanche was reassigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment under the command of LTC Flowers and LTC Huggins. The company successfully completed reset in record time and deployed twice to the Yakima Training Center, successfully completing Operations Arrowhead Quiver and Arrowhead Warpath which included both platoon and company maneuver live fires, Stryker gunnery, ATGM gunner’s skills testing and TOW tables 1–12.

Iraq (OIF 06-07)

During an extended 15-month Iraq War deployment (Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-07) from July 2006 – September 2007, the Avalanche Company operated under the command of over eight different higher headquarters. Its operations spanned much of northern and central Iraq. In July and August 2006, C-52d manned a combat outpost in Rabiyah, Iraq in support of 200 personnel for over 30 days, overseeing various military transition teams and all life support operations. In the months of September and October, C-52d operated under Task Force Red Lion in Q-West, conducting assessments of essential services and other security and support operations. Additionally, C-52d conducted clearance operations of Route Tampa resulting in a 75% reduction of IEDs. During late October and November, C-52d operated under 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment in Mosul, Iraq. The Avalanche Company supported clearing operations and performed assessments of essential services that were valuable to restoring stability.

December marked the Avalanche Company’s move to Baghdad as they operated under Task Force Tomahawk. The soldiers of C-52d provided security and conducted several raids during major clearing operations in support of Multi-National Division Baghdad. In late December 2006, C-52d would move to Taji, Iraq, where they would remain through May 2007 in support of 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. In the company’s most notable event, Third Platoon of C-52d responded to a complex attack on a joint security station in Tarmiya, Iraq, enabling the successful evacuation of 21 wounded American soldiers and security of the site. Several members of Third Platoon were awarded Bronze Star Medals for their actions on 19 February 2007. Third Platoon's platoon leader, SFC Ismael Iban, was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action.[18]

In Sheik Hamed Village, the company conducted bilateral clearing operations with the Iraqi Army, executed several missions against time-sensitive targets, and trained basic soldier skills to an Iraqi Army Battalion, enhancing their ability to secure their area of operations. C-52d also secured key infrastructure, specifically the Khark Water Treatment Plant, which supplies 75% of Iraq’s drinkable water.

In the brigade’s culminating mission to expel al Qaeda from Baqubah, their self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State of Iraq, C-52d conducted a 50 km attack from the march into battle during Operation Arrowhead Ripper. The Company's soldiers screened over 2,500 displaced Iraqis attempting to flee Baqubah, resulting in the capture of over 30 armed insurgents. Additionally, C-52d conducted an air assault operation that resulted in the discovery and capture of numerous enemy caches including anti-aircraft artillery, indirect fire weapons, IED making materials and various small arms. It was thought that this operation might severely hamper the enemy’s ability to use indirect fire to inflict casualties and instill terror upon the civilian population.

Led by CPT Erich B. Schneider for the entire deployment, the company redeployed to Fort Lewis in September 2007 with no loss of life.

References

  1. 1 2 "Special Unit Designations". United States Army Center of Military History. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  2. ↑ A Brief History of the U.S. Army 6th Infantry Division, by Thomas E. Price 29 February 2004
  3. ↑ Unithistories.com, 9th Armored Division, accessed 30 May 2005
  4. ↑ United States Army Forces in the European Theater (1945). The 9th: The Story of the 9th Armored Division. P. Dupont. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  5. ↑ The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950, pp. 510–592. 3 October 2003
  6. ↑ Stanton, Shelby L. (1981). Vietnam Order Of Battle. New York, New York: Galahad Books. pp. 396 W/Index. ISBN 0-88365-709-0..
  7. ↑ Tet Offensive of 1968
  8. ↑ House to House: Playing the Enemy's Game in Saigon, May 1968 2006
  9. ↑ Military Police 19-08-1: Military Police Heroism
  10. ↑ The Virtual Wall: Vietnam Veterans Memorial 15 November 2007
  11. ↑ 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division History November 2004
  12. ↑ Northwest Guardian: M (Anti-Armor) Troop, 2CR reflagged as Company F, 52d Infantry 1 June 2006
  13. ↑ Stanton, Shelby L. (1984). Order of Battle: U.S. Army World War II. Novato, California: Presidio Press. pp. 621 W/Index. ISBN 0-89141-195-X.
  14. ↑ StykerNews.com: Stryker Brigade 101 October 2004
  15. ↑ C Company, 52d Infantry Regiment Meritorious Unit Commendation Memorandum, November 2003 – November 2004
  16. ↑ C Company, 52d Infantry Regiment Meritorious Unit Commendation Certificate, November 2003 – November 2004
  17. ↑ 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Superior Unit Award, November 2003 – November 2004
  18. 1 2 SFC Iban Silver Star Award 21 October 2007
  19. ↑ WA State Senate Resolution 8709, 2 February 2008
  20. ↑ 2 Fort Lewis soldiers earn Silver Star 29 January 2008
  21. ↑ FOB Tacoma – Two more Silver Stars for 3rd Brigade soldiers 29 January 2008
  22. ↑ Northwest Guardian: Wounded Soldiers earn Purple Hearts 28 June 2007
  23. ↑ State Senate honors Stryker brigade 2 February 2008
  24. ↑ Stryker: Going 'Up North', The March 2004.
  25. ↑ Field artillery Soldiers happy to make noise once again 30 September 2004
  26. ↑ The Arrowhead: Family Readiness Group Newsletter, Vol. 7 22 February, 20 04

Sources

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