23rd Inf Div (Americal) RVN

23rd Inf Div (Americal)

Heraldic Items

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

Description:
On a blue Norman shield 2 5/8 inches high and 2 1/3 inches wide, four white stars of varying sizes all slightly tipped to the dexter, arranged to represent the Southern Cross.

Symbolism:
The four white stars on the blue field are symbolic of the Southern Cross under which the organization has served.

Distinctive Insignia

Description:
A gold colored metal and enamel device 1 3/8 inches in height overall, consisting of a blue saltire bearing four white stars one near each end, and centered vertically thereover a gold sword with hilt in base upon a red field edged with gold and behind the sword point at top a red arrowhead point up upon the center of a gold radiant sun, and centered horizontally with shank passing behind the saltire a gold anchor with crown at left and ring at right with cable passing through and behind the arms of the saltire; all above a gold scroll inscribed "Americal" in blue.

Symbolism:
The saltire alludes to New Caledonia in the Southwest Pacific where the division was first activated on 27 May 1942, and with its blue color (for infantry) and four white stars forms a "Southern Cross" and refers to the division's shoulder sleeve insignia and the area in which the division initially served. The four stars (the brightest in the Southern Cross constellation) also allude to the four campaigns of World War II in which the division participated. The anchor refers to the Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) awarded the division for Guadalcanal, and the red arrowhead and Phillipine sun for the assault landing in the Southern Phillipines and the award of the Phillipine Presidential Unit Citation. The unsheathed sword with point to top refers to service in Vietnam. The division is one of the few within the U.S. Army to bear initially a name instead of a number, and former designation "Americal" was adopted as a nickname, the association being both inspirational and historically significant.

Americal in Vietnam

It was reactivated on 1 December 1954, officially redesignated the 23rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL) and served for almost a year and a half until 10 April 56 with headquarters in the Canal Zone. It was reactivated again when Gen. William C. Westmoreland, needing an infantry division in Vietnam but aware that none would be arriving from the United States for some time, and conscious of the AMERICAL Division's relationship with the 1st Marine Division in World War II, decided to reactivate the army division to operate in the northern coastal sector adjacent to the Marines. He first established a headquarters known as Task Force OREGON and, as additional troops arrived, transformed the task force into the AMERICAL Division. Because the Department of the Army policy required that divisions be numbered, the division was known officially as the 23rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL) and was reactivated as such in Vietnam on 25 September 1967. MACV, however, preferred the name AMERICAL, listed it as such in numerous official orders, called it "the Army's only named division on active service," and used the vehicle bumper abbreviation AMCAL. In Vietnam the rugged terrain of southern I Corps tactical zone was used by the division for its encampment at Chu Lai. This ran the gamut from marshy, coastal lowlands to triple-canopy jungle on steep mountain slopes. The AMERICAL Division battled the strong enemy influence in both Quang Nam and Quang Tri Provinces 11 Nov 67 - 11 Nov 68 in Operation WHEELER/WALLOWA with two of its brigades. Another brigade was sent to Quang Ngai Province in early 68. During 69 and 70 the division continued to fight in the Duc Pho, Chuy Lai and Tam Ky areas along the coast. In November 71 the division was deactivated and the 196th Infantry Brigade became separate. The 23rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL) served a total of 1,526 days in Vietnam.

Lineage

Constituted 24 May 1942 in the Army of the United States as Headquarters, Americal Division.

Activated 27 May 1942 in New Caledonia.

Inactivated 12 December 1945 at Fort Lawton,Washington.

Redesignated 1 December 1954 as Headquarters, 23d Infantry Division, and allotedto the Regular Army.

Activated 2 December 1954 at Fort Amador, Canal Zone.

Redesignated 25 September 1967 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 23d Infantry Division, and activated in Vietnam.

Inactivated 29 November 1971 at Fort Lewis, Washington.

Campaign Participation Credit

World War II

Guadalcanal
Northern Solomons
Leyte
Southern Phillipines (with arrowhead)

Vietnam

Counteroffensive, Phase II
Tet Counteroffensive
Counteroffensive, Phase IV
Counteroffensive, Phase V
Counteroffensive, Phase VI
Tet 69/Counteroffensive
Summer-Fall 1969
Winter-Sping 1970
Sanctuary Counteroffensive
Counteroffensive, Phase VII
Consolidation I

Decorations

Presidential Unit Citation (Navy),
Streamer embroidered GUADALCANAL
(HeadquartersAmerical Division, cited; DA GO 73, 1948)

Phillipine Presidential Unit Citation,
Streamer embroidered OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945
(Headquarters Americal Division, cited; DA GO 47, 1950)

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm,
Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969,1970
(23d Infantry Division cited; DA GO 6, 1974)

The 23rd or AMERICAL Div was organized in Vietnam on 25 Sep 67 and departed for Ft Lewis, WA on 29 Nov 71.

Commanders:	Dates:
MG Samuel W. Koster MG Charles M. Gettys MG Lloyd B. Ramsey* MG Albert E. Milloy MG James L. Baldwin MG Frederick J. Kroesen,	Oct 67 Jun 68 June 69 Mar 70 Nov 70 Jul 71

*Seriously wounded in chopper crash 18 March 70.

Div. HQ's:	Dates:
Chu Lai	Sep 67 - Nov 71

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters Americal Division
APO San Francisco 96374

AVDF-GC November 1968
Subject: Operational Report for Quarterly Period Ending 31 October 1968
(RSC-CSFOR-65) (RI) (U)

AMERICAL DIVISION TROOP LIST (as of 1 November 1968)

1. HQ AMERICAL DIVISION

HHC, Americal Division
1st Sqdn, 1st Cav
F Troop, 8th Cav
415th Sig Det
570th TC Det
26th Engr Bn
123d Avn Bn
449th Sig Det
406 TC Det
523rd Sig Bn
23 MP Co
3d Mil Hist Det

2. AMERICAL DIVISION ARTILLERY

HHB, Div Arty
3rd Bn, 16th Arty
3rd Bn, 18th Arty
1st Bn, 82nd Arty
3d Plt, Btry, 29th Arty, Searchlight (OPCON)
G Btry, 55th Arty (.50)
251st Radar Det
6th Bn, 56th Arty

3. AMERICAL DIVISION SUPPORT COMMAND

HHC and Band
23d S&T Bn
HQ & A Co, 23d Med Bn
HQ & A Co, 723d Maint Bn
23d Admin Co
Co E, 51st Inf (LRP)
63d Inf Plt (CTT)
Americal Combat Center (PROV)

4. 11TH INFANTRY BRIGADE

HHC, 11th Inf Bde
3d Bn, 1st Inf
4th Bn, 3d Inf
1st Bn, 20th Inf
4th Bn, 21st Inf
6th Bn, 11th Arty
6th Spt Bn
E Trp, 1st Cav
11th Sig Plt
59th Inf Plt (Scout Dog)
52d Chem Det
31st Public Information Det

5. 196TH INFANTRY BRIGADE

HHC, 196th Inf Bde
2d Bn, 1st Inf
3d Bn, 21st Inf
4th Bn, 31st Inf
3d Bn, 82d Arty
8th Spt Bn
F Trp, 17th Cav
48th Inf Plt (Scout Dog)
156th Sig Plt
10th Public Information Det
27th CML Det
569th MI Det
636th MI Det, OB

6. 198th INFANTRY BRIGADE

HHC, 198th Inf Bde
1st Bn, 6th Inf
1st Bn, 46th Inf
5th Bn, 46th Inf
1st Bn, 52d Inf
1st Bn, 14th Arty
9th Spt Bn
H Trp, 17th Cav
57th Inf Plt (Scout Dog)
635th MI Det
87th Chem Det
49th Sig Det

7. NON-DIVISIONAL UNITS

14th Combat Avn Bn
71st Aslt Spt Hel Co
132d Aslt Spt Hel Co
174th Aslt Hel Co
176th Aslt Hel Co
178th Aslt Hel Co
16th TC Det
94th Sign Det
151st TC Det
348th A.S. Det
400th TC Det
39th Engr Bn
4th CA Plt
6th CA Plt
51st CA Plt
Americal RR Co (PROV)
408th RR Det
415th RR Det
601st RR Det
O/I6, Det 31, 5th Weather Sqdn, USAF
USASSG, ACSI, DA
160th Engr Det
506th Engr Det
548th Engr Det
600th Engr Det
603d Engr Det

Americal Division

Order of Battle
Vietnam
30 April 1969

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters Americal Division
APO San Francisco 96374

AVDF-HL 10 May 1969
Subject: Operational Report for Quarterly Period Ending 30 April 1969
(RSC-CSFOR-65) (RI) (U)

AMERICAL DIVISION TROOP LIST
(as of 30 April 1969)

HEADQUARTERS AMERICAL DIVISION

HHC, Americal Division
1st Sqdn, 1st Cav
F Troop, 8th Cav
415th Sig Det
570th TC Det
26th Engr Bn
160th Engr Det
523rd Sig Bn
23 MP Co
3d Mil Hist Det
USAMID (PROV)
52d MI Det
569th MI Det
635th MI Det
636th MI Det
328th RR Det

AMERICAL DIVISION ARTILLERY

HHB, Div Arty
6th Bn, 11th Arty
1st Bn, 14th Arty
3rd Bn, 82d Arty
3rd Bn, 16th Arty
3rd Bn, 18th Arty
1st Bn, 82nd Arty
6th Bn, 56th Arty (LESS OPCON)
G Btry, 55th Arty (.50 Cal)
B Btry, 2d Bn, 11th Arty, (FO Party and Metro Section)
251st Radar Det
252d Radar Det

AMERICAL DIVISION SUPPORT COMMAND

HHC and Band
23d S&T Bn
23d Med Bn
723d Maint Bn (-)
23d Admin Co
Co G (Ranger), 75th
Americal Combat Center (PROV)

16TH COMBAT AVIATION GROUP

HHC, 16th CAG (Cbt)
14th Combat Avn Bn
71st Avn Co (Aslt Hel)
174th Avn Co (Aslt Hel)
176th Avn Co (Aslt Hel)
534 Med Det
756 Med Det
14th Security Plt
123d Avn Bn (Cbt) (Inf Div)
132d Avn Co (Aslt Spt Hel)
178th Avn Co (Aslt Spt Hel)
E Co, 723rd Maint BN
335th Trans Co

11TH INFANTRY BRIGADE

HHC, 11th Inf Bde
3d Bn, 1st Inf
4th Bn, 3d Inf
1st Bn, 20th Inf
4th Bn, 21st Inf
E Trp, 1st Cav
59th Inf Plt (Scout Dog)
90th Chem Det
31st Public Information Det
327th Avn Det
Combat Weather Team 2

196TH INFANTRY BRIGADE

HHC, 196th Inf Bde
2d Bn, 1st Inf
3d Bn, 21st Inf
4th Bn, 31st Inf
F Trp, 17th Cav
48th Inf Plt (Scout Dog)
27th Chem Det
10th Public Information Det
Combat Weather Team 1

198th INFANTRY BRIGADE

HHC, 198th Inf Bde
1st Bn, 6th Inf
1st Bn, 46th Inf
5th Bn, 46th Inf
1st Bn, 52d Inf
H Trp, 17th Cav
57th Inf Plt (Scout Dog)
87th Chem Det

NON-DIVISIONAL UNITS

3d Plt, G Btry, 29th Arty, Searchlight (OPCON)
4th CA Plt
6th CA Plt
51st CA Plt
Det 3, 7th Psyop Bn (DS of Div)
USASSG, ACSI, DA
46th Engr Det
OL7, 5th Weather Sqdn, USAF

9. Request notification of any changes/corrections be made to CPT Major, G3 DOT 493/3776.

Americal Division Order of Battle Vietnam

This order of battle was obtained from the book titled Vietnam Order of Battle by Shelby L. Stanton, 1986, published by Galahad Books, NY,NY. Refer to page 80 for the following data.

23rd Infantry Division
(AMERICAL)
Order of Battle

Assigned and Attached Units

Division Infantry

2d Battalion, 1st Infantry
3d Battalion, 1st Infantry
4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry
1st Battalion, 6th Infantry
1st Battalion, 20th Infantry
3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry
4th Battalion, 21st Infantry
4th Battalion, 31st Infantry
1st Battalion, 46th Infantry
5th Battalion, 46th Infantry
1st Battalion, 52nd Infantry

Division Artillery

6th Battalion, 11th Artillery (105mm)
1st Battalion, 14th Artillery (105mm)
3d Battalion, 16th Artillery (155mm)
3rd Battalion, 18th Artillery (175mm/8" SP)
1st Battalion, 82d Artillery (155mm)
3d Battalion, 82d Artillery (105mm)
Battery G, 55th Artillery (.50-cal MG)

Division Aviation

16th Aviation Group
14th Aviation Battalion (Combat)
123d Aviation Battalion (Airmobile)
212th Aviation Battalion (Combat)

Division Reconnaissance

Troop F, 8th Cavalry (Air)
Troop E, 1st Cavalry (Armored)
Troop F, 17th Cavalry (Armored)
Company E, 51st Infantry (Long Range Patrol)
Company G, 75th Infantry (Ranger)
AMERICAL Scout Infantry Company (Provisional)
Troop H, 17th Cavalry

Division Support

23d Medical Battalion
23d Supply and Transport Battalion
26th Engineer Battalion
523d Signal Battalion
723d Maintenance Battalion
23d Administration Company
23d Military Police Company
328th Army Security Agency Company
635th Military Intelligence Company
3d Military History Detachment
Americal Combat Center (Provisional)
27th Chemical Detachment
87th Chemical Detachment
90th Chemical Detachment
10th Public Information Detachment
31st Public Information Detachment

Other unit on temporary assignment

1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry (Armored)
Chu Lai Defense Command (Provisional)

23rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL) Formation Assets
"

Components - Assets derived from:

23d Infantry Division Support Command - 15th Support Brigade
23d Administration Company - Company A, 6th Support Battalion
23d Supply and Transport Company - 94th Supply and Service Battalion
723d Maintenance Battalion - 188th Maintenance Battalion (bulk)

26th Engineer Battalion- Company A - 175th Engineer Company
Company B - 555th Engineer Company
Company C - 6th Engineer Company
Company D - Company B, 39th Engineer Company
Company E (Float Bridge) - 554th Engineer Company
523d Signal Battalion - 509th Signal Battalion
Company E, 51st Infantry (Long Range Patrol) - Detachment A (Long Range Patrol)*
123d Aviation Battalion 1- 61st Aviation Company

*Provisional long range patrol unit formed from the provisional long range patrol detachment, 196th Infantry Brigade and men with long range patrol experience from the 11th and 198th Infantry Brigades.