3d Armored Cavalry Squadron (South Vietnam)
| 3rd Armored Cavalry Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1954 - 1975 |
| Country |
 South Vietnam |
| Branch |
 Army of the Republic of Vietnam
|
| Part of | II Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | Pleiku |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation (United States) |
The 3d Armored Cavalry Squadron (Vietnamese: Thiết Đoàn 3 Thiết giáp) a battalion-sized unit of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), the South Vietnamese army. It was part of II Corps that oversaw the twelve provinces of the central highlands; corps headquarters being in the mountain town of Pleiku. The 3d Armored Cav was organized on January 1, 1954.
In 1971, the Presidential Unit Citation of the United States was awarded to the 3d Armored Cavalry Squadron and attached U.S. Advisor/Liaison Personnel (MACV) for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy during the period January 1, 1968 to September 30, 1968 in Pleiku and Binh Dinh Provinces. This makes the squadron one of only a few non-U.S. military units to receive the highest U.S. military honor awarded at the unit level.
DA General Order No. 24, 27 April 1971
THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (ARMY)
FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM
TO THE 3D ARMORDED CAVALRY SQUADRON
ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
CONSISTING OF SQUADRON HEADQUARTERS
AND SERVICE TROOP AND
1ST, 3D AND 4TH TROOPS
AND U.S. ADVISOR/LIAISON PERSONNEL
The 3d Armored Cavalry Squadron distinguished itself by extraordinary heroism in military operations against hostile ground forces during the period 1 January 1968 to 30 September 1968. The Squadron engaged a Viet Cong battalion near the city of Pleiku during the Tet Offensive. Utilizing an imposing array of weapons, the enemy fought tenaciously in an attempt to occupy the city of Pleiku. The Squadron, by steadfast resolve and against countless odds, annihilated the enemy force. This lifted the siege of the city of Pleiku, and the 3d Armored Cavalry Squadron was able to resume its normal mission of securing the U.S. 4th Division logistical lifeline between Pleiku and Kontum. The enemy then committed large forces in an effort to close a single existing supply route. The 3d Armored Cavalry Squadron engaged a most determined enemy to relieve the pressure of being isolated. In each encounter, the South Vietnamese cavalrymen exhibited brilliant tactics under harrowing circumstances and inflicted prohibitive casualties on a numerically superior force. Elements of the Squadron spearheaded direct strikes against the 18th North Vietnamese Army regiment in other major engagements in Binh Dinh Province and the city of Phu My. The resulting enemy casualties together with the destruction of residual weapon supplies forced the North Vietnamese to flee the field of battle. Through their unyielding tenacity, imaginative tactics, and fierce determination the officers and men of the 3d Armored Cavalry Squadron achieved victory against insurmountable odds. Their demonstrated professionalism and extraordinary heroism under hazardous and adverse conditions reflect the utmost credit on them and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam.
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