Did the 173rd jump in Vietnam?

Did the 173rd jump in Vietnam?

On 22 February 1967, the 173rd conducted Operation Junction City, the only combat parachute jump of the Vietnam War. The operation saw three brigades controlling eight battalions dropped by helicopters and US Air Force aircraft into War Zone C, in Tây Ninh Province.

What did the 173rd Airborne do in Vietnam?

Headquartered at Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon, the Brigade conducted operations to keep communist forces away from the Saigon-Bien Hoa complex. In February 1967, the Brigade conducted a combat parachute jump into a major communist base area to the north of Saigon near the Cambodian border.

Where did the 173rd Airborne Brigade go in Vietnam?

173rd Airborne Brigade deploys to South Vietnam The lead element of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (“Sky Soldiers”), stationed in Okinawa, departs for South Vietnam. It was the first U.S. Army ground combat unit committed to the war.

What does the wing on the 173rd Airborne Brigade patch mean?

The soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade created a patch with a wing on it to symbolize their status as an airborne unit, along with red, white, and blue, the national colors of the United States. The SSI would be given to them in May 1963.

Who was in charge of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Okinawa?

On 26 March 1963, the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) was assigned to the Regular Army and activated on Okinawa. Brigadier General Ellis W. Williamson took command of the unit, which was chartered to serve as the quick reaction force for the Pacific Command.

Where did the 503rd Airborne Brigade fight in the Vietnam War?

In the summer of 1967, the Brigade saw extensive and bloody action in the Central Highlands near Kontum, Pleiku, Dak To. In mid-November of 1967, the 2d Battalion of the 503d Airborne Infantry pushed units of the 1st and 10th North Vietnamese Army Divisions towards the Cambodian/Laotian borders.