Company E, 52nd Infantry (LRP)

Company E, 52nd Infantry, (LRP) was a 120 man-sized long-range reconnaissance patrol unit attached to the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in Vietnam in 1967-69. Its origin began on January 1, 1967, as "LRRP Detachment G2," 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). It was then redesignated "Headquarters & Headquarters Company LRRP Detachment" in April 1967, and redesignated "Company E, 52nd Infantry (LRP)" on December 20, 1967.

Later, when all LRRP units were folded into the US Army Rangers on February 1, 1969, Company E was redesignated, "H Company, 75th Infantry (Ranger).

In November 1966 Captain James D. James, a Special Forces-trained officer was selected to establish a long-range reconnaissance patrol detachment for the 1st Cavalry Division, designated "LRRP Detachment G2." This company based on other all volunteer LRP units forming in Vietnam; as well as the two already formed in Germany and the one in Italy, respectively: Company D, 17th Infantry (LRP) in V Corps, headquartered in Frankfurt; Company C, VII Corps, 58th Infantry, headquartered in Stuttgart, and the Airborne Recon Platoon, 1st Combat Aviation Company (Provisional), headquartered in Verona, Italy, which Captain James previously commanded.

LRRP Detachment G2 became operational on January 1, 1967, and on December 20, 1967, it was redesignated Company E (LRP), 52nd Infantry (Airborne).

Company E participated in some of the most notable battles of the Vietnam War and as Company H, 75th Infantry, it became the most decorated and longest serving unit in LRP / Ranger history. Company H, 75th Infantry, also lost the last two Rangers of the Vietnam War: Sgt. Elvis Weldon Osborne, Jr.,[3] and Cpl. Jeffery Alan Maurer,[4] both killed in action June 9, 1972. In all, approximately 1,000 men served in this unit of whom 45 were killed in Vietnam and Cambodia and approximately 400 were wounded or injured on patrol, a casualty rate of 45 percent.

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