The History of the Bastard CAV

3 Squadron 5th U.S. Cavalry Vietnam

From the Delta to the DMZ

As you read these historical documents it should become clear as to why the 3rd Squadron /5th U.S. Cavalry was known as the Bastard Cav. The 3/5 Cav was organized as a Divisional reconnaissance unit for the 9th Infantry Division and arrived in Vietnam with the Division in late 1966. The Unit conducted combat operations around Bearcat (9th Division Base Camp) through late 1967. By early February 1968, at the first sign of the Tet Offensive, the unit was on the move with A Troop road marching to the Saigon area and defending the Bien Boa Air Base. C-Troop was in the Xuan Loc area during the Tet offensive defending the hamlet and the provincial headquarters. B-Troop conducted route security on Route 2 between Blackhorse and Xuan Loc. After these actions, A Troop and C-Troop received Valorous Units Awards from the Department of the Army. After The Tet offensive, the 3/5 Cav (less D-Troop) was sent to the Saigon docks for sealift to Da Nang and I Corp. In late February 1968 the 3/5 Cav landed at Wuander Beach, near Da Nang and in mid March 1968, the Squadron was moved again to Dong Ha near the DMZ by sealift. The Squadron was eventually attached to the 101st Airborne Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Division and 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). All the while, D Troop of 3/5th Cav(Air Cav) remained in the south at Bearcat conducting operations with the 9th Infantry Division and a host of other units. When the 9th Infantry Division was ordered back to the U.S. in late 1969, D Troop became C Troop 1/17 Air Cav while Headquarters Troop, A, B, and C Troops were attached to the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) and remained the 3rd Squadron 5th U.S. Cavalry until redeployment back to the US in November 1971.

1st year History by James Hines