H/75 RGR & E/52 LRP & 1st CAV LRRP & 1st CAV LRS HISTORY

In early July 1966, General Westmoreland sent a message to all "Infantry" Divisions that they would form a Long Range Reconnsiassance Patrol Company. Westmoreland's message did not apply to the 1st Cavalry Division because of three things. The 1st Cavalry was not an Infantry Division, it was an Air Cavalry Division and second, the 9th Cavalry Squadron was the eyes and ears of the 1st Cav Division so it was generally felt that a Lrrp capability wasn't necessary. Third, each Cav Brigade had their own Lrrps under their control. However, the Brigades were not using Lrrps in the best possible way. Most times, the brigade Lrrp teams were used as forward scouts for brigade assaults.

There were two men in the 1st Cav Division who strongly believed that a Division Lrrp capability would be beneficial to the 1st Cav Div. They were the G2 and the G3, Lt Colonels Ray and Stotser.

However, without formal approval of a Lrrp capability, Ray and Stotser's beliefs were dead in the water, unless of course, the Pentagon would approve a Lrrp concept for the Air Cavalry. Then, after much argument between the Cav and the Pentagon, the Pentagon gave their approval to form one experimental team and if successful, in every way, further consideration would be given. So....Captain Jim James, a company commander of the 1st of the 8th Cav was selected for the job of Lrrp Detachment Commander. James was a Ranger with Special Forces qualifications. The time was early November 66.

SSG Ronald Christopher was also selected by the G2 and G3 to head up the first team of the Cavalry Lrrps. Christopher was a Ranger whose military occupation was, Reconnaissance Intelligence Specialist. Another plus was, he was assigned to A Troop, 9th Cav Squadron, which was the Division's reconnaissance Squadron, the Eyes and Ears of the Division.

Christopher reported to the G2, was briefed and accepted the mission. Then he was briefed by Capt Jim James. Christopher suggested to James that the Rock Quarry might be a good place to put the Lrrp detachment because it was away from the main elements of the Division. After a brief visit to the rock quarry by James and Christopher, James accepted and approved the rock quarry as the Lrrp camp site. Just down below the rock quarry was the 191st Military Intelligence. For logistical purposes the Lrrp unit was attached to the 191st but the G2 maintained operational control. Christopher's team was also to conduct equipment experiments as assigned by the G3, Christopher's former boss.

The Lrrp unit was provided with another title, that was, provisional, which simply meant, provided. Provided meant, according to Capt Jim James, "provided SSG Christopher was successful and accomplished the first mission. If not, there would be no Cav division Lrrps."

During the month of December 1966, Chrisopher erected the Lrrp camp, which included his team tent, a command shed and the supply tent. Everything for this unit was scrounged by James and Christopher. James visited Special Forces units and collected "old debts" as described by James. Christopher visited most everyone else in the Central Highlands and begged for supplies or anything else he could scrounge.

The commander of the 191st borrowed and transferred equipment to the Lrrp.

On January 1, 1967, four soldiers showed up at the rock quarry. They were the other four members of Christopher's experimental team, team one of the 1st Cav Division's experimental Lrrp. After 4 days of extensive training provided by SSG Christopher, the team was formed and ready for the first mission. The patrol march was established by Christopher. It proceeded in this manner. Sp4 Douglas Fletcher was the senior scout. SSG Christopher was team leader. Sgt John Simones was the assistant team leader. Sp4 Geoffrey Koper was the medic and Sp4 Arthur Guerrero was the scout. On January 2, 1967 Captain James and Lt. Ronald Hall moved to the Lrrp Camp Site. Hall was the Executive Officer. On Jan 3, 67, SFC Fred Kelly and SSG Tom Campbell arrived at the Lrrp site. At the time, Kelly fulfilled the slot of supply sgt biding his time until the Lrrp was approved by the Pentagon and upon approval, Kelly would become the Lrrp's first 1st Sgt. Campbell was the communication Sgt and later would become the operations sgt. So, the Lrrp was ready to go. On January 3, 1967, nine men comprised the Cav Division's LRRP.

After Christopher's four days of map and compass reading, patrolling techniques and special emphasis on the six senses, the experimental team was ready. On January 7, 1967, Christopher was handed a coordinates and with that he established all the necessary requirements of a mission in his AO which included an overflight of the selected Landing Zone. Then at 1845 hours on Jan 7, 67, team one applied camouflage paste to their exposed skin and boarded their one and only chopper to head out into the An Lao Valley.

The mission was to recon the area of operations but more specifically, as directed by Capt James, "you have to stay in the AO for the duration of the mission." With those instruction these followed. "There is no support, no back up, no nothing. You are entirely on your own. If you get caught, you will have to fend for yourselves."

The duration of the mission was 7 days and 7 nights, as would be all missions following the first mission. Between missions the team only had one day off with one exception. Mission two and three were conducted back to back. In January 1967 Christopher's Lrrp team, the Cav Division's only Lrrp team at the time, conducted three missions of 7 days duration each. The term "Provisional" was dropped and the Lrrps became a Detachment instead of a Provisional Detachment. On Feb 2, 1967, Christopher's Lrrp Team conducted the 1st Cavalry Division's first "official" Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol, again in the An Lao Valley.

In March 1967, the Cav Div's Lrrp was renamed, Headquarters and Headquarters 1st Cav Div Lrrp Detachment. However, the 191st continued providing logistics such as mess hall privileges and other supplies.

Because of the successful missions of Christopher's experimental team, another team was formed in Feb 67.

SSG James Burton was the team leader and later, SSG Patrick O'Brien became the team leader. In March 67, Lt. Hall began gathering a Montagnard Tribe, (Rhades) which he set up west of Ankhe in their own camp. The yards were going to be assigned to Lrrp Teams, which finally took place in May 1967.

On December 20, 1967, the Cav Division's HHC Lrrp unit was redesignated, Co E, 52nd Infantry (Lrp). On 1 Feb 1969, Co E was redesignated Co H, 75th Infantry (Ranger).

	Valorous Unit Award
	Valorous Unit Award
	Valorous Unit Award
	Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
	Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
	Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
	Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
	Republic of Vietnam Civic Action Honor Medal, First Class