1310F

12TH US CAVALRY REGIMENT, 5TH BATTALION FLAG.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 300.00 USD
12TH US CAVALRY REGIMENT, 5TH BATTALION FLAG.
3’ x 4’ double applique embroidered on yellow field and features the unit’s crest of cactus and motto “SEMPER PARATUS” (Always Ready) , gold fringe, QM label dated March 1963. The unit crest in the features a cactus noting its service along the Mexican border when first formed in 1901. The motto in Latin, Semper Paratus, means “Always Ready. The 12th Cavalry Regiment has long history before Vietnam service, formed in February 1901 at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. From this time into 1911, the regiment served in Texas, Georgia and the Philippines. In 1916, its First Battalion served along the Texas border against Mexican bandits before reporting to the Panama Canal Zone where they remained until 1921. In 1923 they were assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Division. In January 1933, the regiment became part of the 1st Cavalry Division where it was retasked as an infantry unit but retaining the cavalry designation. Its Second Battalion retained horses for a time and patrolled the US-Mexico border. In 1940 the division took part in the maneuvers in Louisiana and in February 1943, finally traded in its horses for jeeps and ground pounding infantry work. In June 1943, the regiment and division were sent to Australia for further training before its first engagement at Los Negros Island in the Admiralty Island Chain. In late October 1944, the division landed at Leyte in the Philippines and began its long and bloody campaign to liberate that nation. At Hill 2348, the 2nd Battalion of the 12th Cavalry was cut off and hit with successive waves of suicidal Japanese attacks but finally retook the hill. In January 1945 the regiment and division invaded Luzon where they would remain in combat until the end of June. In early February a flying column of troopers would race 100 miles to be the first US troops in Manila. With Japan’s surrender the division became part of the occupying forces in Japan where they remained until 1949. In March 1949, the regiment was inactivated and relieved from duty with the 1st Cavalry Division. In February 1957, the regiment was reactivated and returned to its cavalry roots by becoming part of the 1st Armored Division at Fort Polk in Louisiana. In February 1962, the regiment was again deactivated. In 1963 regiment was reactivated and again assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division and sent to South Korea. In June 1965, the battalion’s colors were sent to Fort Benning to become part of the new 11th Airborne Division. After becoming part of the newly reorganized 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) they were deployed to South Vietnam where they engaged in heavy combat. In 1972 the regiment returned to its new home, Fort Hood as part of the 1st Cavalry Division which was being altered to armor with the battalion becoming mechanized infantry. (02-19473-15/JS). $200-300.