Jump to content

Original Vietnam 1st Cav award ceremony. Recognize anyone?


mmerc20
 Share

Recommended Posts

I have these two original photos of some unknown soldiers being awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. I was curious if anyone either recognizes any awardees or the 2-star. They are all 1st Cav. Some are pilots, some have ranger tabs and the one major pilot is wearing a 2nd ARVN AF patch. The photos are glued to a scrapbook page but appear to be unmarked on the backs.

Mike

post-1506-0-36730800-1468106738.jpeg

post-1506-0-02693100-1468106753.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 2 guys in the black baseball caps and ERDLs are part of the 11th Pathfinder Co. Pathfinders wore black baseball caps long before the infamous "Blackhats" of the Airborne school .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi,

 

The General seems to be MajGen James F Hollingsworth III CTZ Major Advisor from January to september 1972 that is in accordance with uniforms worn. He previously served in Vietnam with 1st ID and is wearing the division patch on the right sleeve.

Best

Croc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great photo of the Pathfinders and the "Treadhead" to their left.

The wearing of the pin on Pathfinder badge on the side of the hat is very unique.

And the Armor Capt. next to them appears to be wearing a modified Fedora to look like a Stetson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello nice photo's. Can a Mod turn those pictures up top around....I'm breaking my neck! LOL

 

Done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would agree that looks like General Hollingsworth. Note the III Corps insignia on his right pocket. Also the distinctive sidearm.

Hollingsworth Staff TRAC small.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's strange. The pictures showed right side up for me. Sorry that was not the same for everyone! These photos were in a large binder full of VN era photos and documents I acquired a few years back. There were many originals and also some reprints as well. I'm happy these were some of the originals.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great photo of the Pathfinders and the "Treadhead" to their left.

The wearing of the pin on Pathfinder badge on the side of the hat is very unique.

And the Armor Capt. next to them appears to be wearing a modified Fedora to look like a Stetson

 

The Pathfinder torch by regulation is not authorized for wear on the cap, however that doesn't mean the Pathfinders didn't wear them there. Remember, until the late sixties the torch was sewn on. Since this is an official awards ceremony with a big-wig general, they probably had to wear their wings and background on their caps (with the torch on the side).

Pathfinder instructors at Ft. Benning have always worn the pin-on torch on their caps since it was authorized.

 

The Pathfinder on the right appears to be a John Hester who was a Pathfinder Instructor at Benning in 1978. He's younger and thinner in your picture. If I can find my Pathfinder Cadre photo for 1978 I'll post it here.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great photo of the Pathfinders and the "Treadhead" to their left.

The wearing of the pin on Pathfinder badge on the side of the hat is very unique.

And the Armor Capt. next to them appears to be wearing a modified Fedora to look like a Stetson

 

 

Isnt he a pilot?

 

Looks like he is wearing the two piece nomex flight suit and aviators wings too

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

Isnt he a pilot?

 

Looks like he is wearing the two piece nomex flight suit and aviators wings too

 

Yes, he must be an Air Cavalry pilot. Armor was supposed to be the BOS for "Real Cav" or Air Cavalry pilots but this is not the rule. Pilots came from all the branches of the Army.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Pathfinder on the right appears to be a John Hester who was a Pathfinder Instructor at Benning in 1978. He's younger and thinner in your picture. If I can find my Pathfinder Cadre photo for 1978 I'll post it here.

 

 

Sorry, not the same guy. The Pathfinder in your picture has blue eyes.... Hester had brown eyes.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 years later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...