196th Infantry Brigade (United States)

196th Infantry Brigade
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	1921–1946 1966–1972 1998–present
Country	United States
Branch	U.S. Army
Role	Training support
Garrison/HQ	Fort Shafter
Nickname(s)	Chargers (special designation) Burning artillery slow-match
Engagements	World War II {defended Hawaii} Vietnam War
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Scott Mitchell
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia

The 196th Infantry Brigade ("Chargers"), also known as the Charger Brigade was first formed on 24 June 1921 as part of the United States Army Reserve's 98th Division with the responsibility of training soldiers.

During World War II, the 98th initially defended Kauai, Hawaii and Maui, Hawaii, and finally responsible for defending Oahu, Hawaii later in the war. The Division began intensive training in May 1945 to prepare for the invasion of Japan, but the war ended before they could depart Hawaii. However, the unit arrived in Japan for occupation duty as the 3rd Platoon, 98th Reconnaissance Troop Mechanized, of the 98th Infantry Division, where it eventually was inactivated on 16 February 1946, in Charlotte, NC.

The 196th served in Vietnam from 15 July 1966 through 29 June 1972.

The Brigade was reactivated in September 1965 at Fort Devens Massachusetts, where it was originally scheduled to be sent to the Dominican Republic. Instead the Army rushed it to Vietnam, the Brigade departing on 15 July 1966 via transport ships and arriving on 14 August 1966 at Tây Ninh Combat Base. It began operations almost immediately in the western area of III Corps Tactical Zone. The 196th conducted Operation Cedar Falls, Gadsden, Lancaster, Junction City, Benton, and Attleboro (in War Zone C of Tay Ninh Province). Attleboro turned into a major action after a large enemy base camp was found on 19 October 1966.

In February 1967, Gen. William Westmoreland ordered the formation of a division sized Army task force to reinforce American forces in I Corps Tactical Zone. The 196th was selected to form a part of the task force. Task Force Oregon became operational on April 20, 1967, when troops from the 196th landed at Chu Lai in I Corps. Over the next month, it was joined by the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division and the 3rd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division (later redesignated the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division). On 25 April 1967 Task Force Oregon was redesignated the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) and an official change of colors ceremony was held on 26 October 1967. Later, the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne and the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division were replaced by the 198th and 11th Light Infantry Brigades.