Fifth Division

THE RED DEVILS

The 5th Division achieved worldwide recognition for their valor, proficiency and determination. The 1st Brigade was alerted for deployment in Vietnam on 25 March 1968. Considerable tailoring had to be done in order to make it combat effective as a separate brigade. In addition to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized): the following units were as signed: 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry; 77th Armor, A Troop, 4th Squadron, 12th Cavalry; 5th Battalion, 4th Artillery, 75th Support battalion; A company, 7th Engineers; and 517th Military Intelligence Detachment; 86th Chemical Detachment; 48th Public Information Detachment; 77th Combat Engineer Battalion; and 43'd Scout Dog Platoon. At peak strength the brigade had over 5,000 personnel assigned and was one of the must patent fight force in the Republic of Vietnam.

Initially commanded by Colonel Richard J. Glikes, the Brigade conducted a 13 week training and familiarization program to adjust the brigade's personnel to situations in Vietnam. The emphasis was in independent small unit tactics and rapid response to alerts. In June 1968, the brigade began the long and difficult overseas movement. The advance party arrived in Quang Tri base on 2 July 1968. The remainder of the Brigade had closet Quang Tri by July 22, and three maneuver battalions were indicated at separate base camps outside Quang Tri base proper.

A Company, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor, was the first unit of the Brigade to be tactically committed. On 12 August 1968, it moved north to Con Thien to support the 1st Marine Regiment for ten days against North Vietnamese Army units attempting to infiltrate through the demilitarized zone. A company made five contacts, was credited with 80 kills, and set the standard for the Brigade.

On 25 Aug, the Brigade moved into the area known as "Leatherneck Square". And the first operation in force was conducted there. While patrolling north of Con Thien on the 31st Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry was hit with mortars. Spotting four NVA, the lead platoon pursued until they came under automatic weapons fire and additional mortar and artillery fires. The enemy was well dug in and succeeded in pinning down the point squad.

A platoon from C Company, 1-11 and four tanks from C Company 1-77 joined the battle. Attacking the dug in enemy positions, the reinforced Red Devils overran the firs line of defense, causing the enemy to rout and break contact. Elements of the 11th Infantry and 77th Armor overran a bunker complex later, counting 52 North Vietnamese Army bodies. Throughout the next two months, the Brigade conducted battalion-size operations in and around the Demilitarized Zone.

On almost every occasion, the fire power and mobility provided by the Brigade's tanks and APC's routed the enemy, inflicting substantial causalities while sustaining minimal losses to the Brigade.

Between 23 and 26 October 1968, the 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry and B Company, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor conducted a sweep into the Demilitarized Zone itself. The infantry was initially pinned down by heavy mortar and machine gun fire. The tanks were committed in a cavalry-like charge on the flank of the battle and routed the North Vietnamese out of their positions into the open, immediately inflicting very heavy casualties on the combined firepower of the two units. During the actions in four days, 303 enemy bodies were counted, 258 individual and 16 crew served weapons were captured. Since the enemy always attempted to recover all weapons, this latter fact is most significant and indicated that the enemy was so routed as to be unable to retain the weapons. On 2 November 1968, the Brigade activities were moved back to an area of operation near Quang Tri City. This area of operation was eventually known as AO Marshall Mountain. In this area of operation, the Brigade conducted cordon and search operations with the 1st Regiment, 1st ARVN Division. By the end of February 1969, four months later, the Brigade had conducted 37 such operations. In addition to the cordon and search operations, the Brigade conducted routine patrols and established civic action programs. The Brigades provided transportation for refugees, construction materials, assisted in road building, and established medical aid visits to friendly villages.