01/16/98 19:27
196th Inf Bde (Lt)
Lineage and Honors
SHOULDER INSIGNIA
The 196th Light Infantry Brigade Shoulder Insignia. The color blue is used to denote infantry, the yellow and red symbolize cavalry and artillery. The double-headed match, used during the days of the matchlock musket, is lighted at both ends to ensure readiness. The 196th was activated 15
September 1965 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, by General Order
Number 266.
The 196th Inf Bde arrived in Vietnam fom Ft Devens, MA on 26 Aug 66 and
departed on 29 June 72. It was the last US Army combat Bde to leave
Vietnam.
Commanders
COL Francis Conaty Aug 66
BG Edward H. deSaussure Sep 66
COL Francis Conaty Sep 66
BG Frank T. Knowles Nov 66
BG Frank H. Linnell May 67
COL Louis Gelling Nov 67
COL Frederick J. Kroesen, Jr. Jun 68
COL Thomas H. Tackaberry May 69
COL James M. Lee Nov 69
COL Edwin L. Kennedy Apr 70
COL William S. Hathaway Nov 70
COL Rutland D. Beard, Jr. Jun 71
BG Joseph P. McDonough Nov 71
Bde HQs:
Tay Ninh Aug 66 - May 67
Chu Lai Jun 67 - Oct 67
Tam Ky Nov 67 - Mar 68
Phong Dien Apr 68 - May 68
Hoi An Jun 68
Chu Lai Jul 68 - Mar 71
Da Nang Apr 71 - Jun 72
Unit History
The 196th Light Infantry Brigade was raised at Fort Devens in September 1965 and originally
scheduled to be sent to the Dominican Republic in mid-1966, but was rushed to Vietnam instead
and posted in the western portion of the III Corps Tactical Zone. It initiated Operation Attleboro
into War Zone C of Tay Ninh Province, which developed into a major action after a large enemy
base camp was uncovered, 19 October 1966.
In April 1967 the brigade was selected, along with the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division and the
3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, to form a provisional division-sized unit called Task Force
OREGON and moved to the I Corps Tactical Zone. The brigade stayed with this command, which
was converted into the 23d Infantry Division (AMERICAL) 25 September 1967. The 196th Light
Infantry Brigade officially joined this division, 15 February 1969. It operated throughout northern
Vietnam, and after the division closed out of Vietnam, 29 November 1971, the 196th Light Infantry
Brigade was reconstituted as a separate (provisional) brigade-sized element to safeguard the same
area of operations.
In April 1971 the brigade was relocated to Da Nang for major port security duties. It finally
departed Vietnam as the last U.S. Army combat brigade to leave in Increment XII of the U.S.
Army withdrawal.
Order of Battle
Brigade Infantry & Brigade Artillery
2d Battalion, 1st Infantry
3d Battalion, 82d Artillery
B Battery, 1st Battalion, 14th Artillery
1st Battalion, 6th Infantry
3d Battalion, 21st Infantry
Brigade Reconnaissance
4th Battalion, 31st Infantry
Troop F, 8th Cavalry (Air)
1st Battalion, 46th Infantry
Troop F, 17th Cavalry (Armored)
Brigade Support
8th Support Battalion
175th Engineer Company
687th Signal Company
27th Chemical Detachment
10th Public Information Detachment
HHD & BAND, 196th Support Bn (Prov)
328th Radio Research Company
408th Radio Research Detachment
Arrived Vietnam: 26 August 1966
Departed Vietnam: 29 June 1972