Blackhorse Tales: Stories of 11th Armored Cavalry Troopers at War

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment proved the fallacy of the infantryman's war in South Vietnam in 1965, demonstrating their mobility, firepower, flexibility, and leadership. Over 25,000 young men served in the Regiment, and their stories provide context for the companion volume, The Blackhorse in Vietnam. The book also includes combat narratives from each year of the Regiment's five-and-a-half years in Southeast Asia, such as the ambush on Highway 1 in 1966, the crossing of the Dong Nai River in 1968, and the fight to clear the Boi Loi Woods in 1971.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2021
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

When the United States Army deployed to South Vietnam in 1965, it was widely believed that counterinsurgency was primarily an infantryman's war, with armored forces serving primarily as support for the infantry. However, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, known as the Blackhorse Regiment, challenged this notion when it arrived in country in September 1966. By the time of the Tet Offensive in 1968, the Army's leadership began to recognize the significant impact that the Blackhorse Regiment's mobility, firepower, flexibility, and leadership had on the battlefield, far exceeding its numerical strength.

Over the course of the Regiment's five-and-a-half years of combat in South Vietnam and Cambodia, over 25,000 young men served in the Blackhorse Regiment. Their stories, along with those of their families, provide a vivid and often humorous portrayal of the Vietnam generation. The author collected these war stories through hundreds of in-person, telephone, and electronic interviews over a period of 25-plus years, serving as a contextual framework for the companion volume, "The Blackhorse in Vietnam."

Among the tales of the Blackhorse troopers and their families are the accounts of the diverse range of animals they encountered during their time in combat, as well as the varying landscapes, from dense jungles to lush rice paddies, and the unpredictable weather conditions. Blackhorse Tales concludes with an examination of how the troopers have dealt with their combat experiences since returning from Vietnam.

Between the chapters, there are combat narratives, one from each year of the Regiment's deployment in Southeast Asia. These narratives begin on December 2, 1966, when a small column of 1st Squadron vehicles and troopers faced an ambush on Highway 1 and emerged victorious despite being outnumbered. They continue to describe the unique challenges and experiences of the Blackhorse Regiment throughout its deployment, including the valor and resilience displayed by its soldiers in the face of adversity.

The Blackhorse Regiment's contributions to the Vietnam War were significant, and its legacy continues to be honored today. The stories of the men and women who served in the Regiment serve as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of those who served in the military during a challenging and controversial period in American history.

Weight: 628g
Dimension: 161 x 237 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636240428