The 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne, also known as the "Bastogne Brigade," landed at Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam on July 29, 1965. The 1st Brigade was the third unit to be deployed to the new war zone and was comprised of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 327th Infantry and the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry. After a brief period where the soldiers acclimated themselves and received all their equipment, the 1st Brigade went into action.
In late 1971, and early 1972 the 101st Airborne Division began returning home to the U.S. It was the last Army Division to leave South Vietnam. In almost seven years of combat in Vietnam, elements of the 101st participated in as many as 15 campaigns, earning additional laurels to their proud name. During that time, the Division became one of the most feared units of the American Army.
During Vietnam, the Army ordered units to convert their colored shoulder insignias to black and green subdued insignias, designed to blend in with the green uniform. The 101st was the only unit to retain their colored emblem. The North Vietnamese referred the 101st as the "Chicken Men" because of their insignia. (The Vietnamese had never seen an eagle before) Many enemy commanders warned their men to avoid the Chicken Men at all costs because any engagement with them meant sure losses. |
