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91st Cavalry Regiment

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91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne)
Coat Of Arms
Active1928
Country United States
AllegianceRegular Army
Branch United States Army
TypeLight Airborne Reconnaissance
RoleReconnaissance, Surveillance and Targeting Acquisition
Part of173rd Airborne Brigade
Garrison/HQConn Barracks
Schweinfurt, Germany
Nickname(s)"The Airborne Cav"
Motto(s)"Alert”
EngagementsWorld War II
Operation Enduring Freedom
Commanders
Notable
commanders		LTC Harry W. Candler
LTC Charles A. Ellis
LTC H. Bruss
LTC Christopher Kolenda
LTC Paul W. Fellinger
Insignia
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Beret Flash
Background Trimming

Template:Cavalry The 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) is a light airborne reconnaissance unit currently based out of Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt, Germany that currently serves as the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Targeting Acquisition unit.


History

Activated 15 February 1928 as Provisional Platoon, 1st Armored Car Troop. Reorganized as 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 1st Cavalry Division, in January 1941 and soon redesignated 91st Reconnaissance Squadron. Separated from division in December 1942. Committed to battle 18 April 1943 in Tunisia attached to 9th Infantry Division. Fought at Mateur, then attached briefly to 1st Armored Division. Elements landed as part of Operation Husky on Sicily on 10 July 1943 attached to 1st Infantry Division, and squadron remained so attached through campaign. Arrived in Italy in early November attached to II Corps. Entered Rome on 4 June, one of many units to claim first honors. Crossed the Arno River on 2 September, then held defensive positions during the winter. Operated mostly with the 10th Mountain Division during the April 1945 offensive; entered Milan on 29 April. Ended war near Turin on 3 May.

Honors

Unit decorations

Ribbon Award Year Notes
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) 2007-2008 for service in Afghanistan
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) 2009-2010 for service in Afghanistan
Valorous Unit Award (Army) Anvil Troop Only 2007-2008 for service in Afghanistan
alt:Red ribbon with vertical green stripes in the center and a palm leaf in the middle French Croix de guerre, World War II (with Palm) 1943 embroidered CENTRAL ITALY

Campaign Streamers

Conflict Streamer Year(s)
World War II Tunisia 1942-1943
World War II Siciliy 1943
World War II Naples-Foggia 1943-1944
World War II Rome-Arno 1944
World War II North Appenines 1944-1945
World War II Po Valley 1945
Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan 2007–2008
Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan 2009–2010

Medal of Honor Recipients

  • 1LT Gerry H. Kisters - 31 July 1943, Nicosia, Gagliano, Italy
(From Citation) "...On 31 July 1943, near Gagliano, Sicily, a detachment of one officer and nine enlisted men, including Sergeant Kisters, advancing ahead of the leading elements of U.S. troops to fill a large crater in the only available vehicle route through Gagliano, was taken under fire by two enemy machineguns. Sergeant Kisters and the officer, unaided and in the face of intense small arms fire, advanced on the nearest machinegun emplacement and succeeded in capturing the gun and its crew of four. Although the greater part of the remaining small arms fire was now directed on the captured machinegun position, Sergeant Kisters voluntarily advanced alone toward the second gun emplacement. While creeping forward, he was struck five times by enemy bullets, receiving wounds in both legs and his right arm. Despite the wounds, he continued to advance on the enemy, and captured the second machinegun after killing three of its crew and forcing the fourth member to flee."
  • 1LT Gerry H. Kisters was the first serviceman to be awarded both the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross during World War II.

Distinguished Service Cross Recipients

  • 1LT Gerry H. Kisters - 7 May 1943, Ferryville, Tunisia
(From Citation) "...In May 1943, Ferryville, Tunisia, Sergeant Kisters made several individual reconnaissance missions, returning each time with timely and valuable information concerning location of artillery emplacements. Alone, and while subjected to enemy heavy artillery and concentrated machine gun fire, and individual rifle fire, Sergeant Kisters crept forward on an artillery piece which was firing on our forces. By the effective use of his hand grenades and rifle fire, Sergeant Kisters wiped out the entire crew."
  • SGT Peter T. Perkins - 3 Aug 1943, Sicily, Italy
(Synopsis, Citation Needed) "...Sergeant Peter T. Perkins (ASN: 18009273), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron, in action against enemy forces on 27 July 1943. Sergeant Perkins' intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."
  • LTC Charles A. Ellis - 2-3 July 1944, Serrazzone, Fonano, Italy
(Synopsis, Citation Needed) "...The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Charles A. Ellis, Lieutenant Colonel (Cavalry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in action against enemy forces on 2 and 3 July 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Ellis' intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."

Distinctive Unit Insignia

  • Description
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per bend wavy Or and Sable, a motor wheel with speed lines in chief and a horseshoe points in chief, counterchanged. Attached below the Shield a Gold scroll bearing the motto “ALERT” in Black letters.
  • Symbolism
The shield includes yellow, the color of the Cavalry, thus denoting the origin of the organization in that service. The horseshoe also carries out the same idea. The speeding wheel, enhanced by speed lines, creates the impression of the lightning speed of the modern armored force. The motto “Alert” is appropriate, and fittingly expresses the sentiments of the unit.
  • Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron on 6 August 1942. It was redesignated for the 91st Reconnaissance Battalion on 25 May 1950. The insignia was redesignated for the 91st Armored Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalion on 22 October 1953. The insignia was redesignated for the 91st Cavalry Regiment, with the description and symbolism updated on 1 March 2006.

Coat Of Arms

Blazon

  • Shield
Per bend wavy Or and Sable, a motor wheel with speed lines in chief and a horseshoe points in chief, counterchanged.
  • Crest
From a wreath Or and Sable, in front of a sun in splendor Proper, a stylized spearhead point down of the second bearing a parachute Argent superimposed by wings conjoined of the first, surmounted by a saber palewise Gules, point down, thereon a bayonet and arrow in saltire of the last.
  • Motto
"ALERT"

Symbolism

  • Shield
Yellow is the color of the Cavalry and denotes the origin of the organization in that branch of the service. The horseshoe also carries out the same idea. The speeding wheel, enhanced by speed lines creates the impression of the lightning speed of the modern armored force.
  • Crest
The sun in splendor symbolizes the hot, dry desert that covers much of northern Africa, denoting the unit’s campaign in Tunisia. The lone parachute and spearhead suggest the unit being the first into battle to spearhead the way for others to follow. It also alludes to the lineage as the First Armored Car Troop and the unit’s World War II campaign. The wings refer to the freedom the Regiment protects. The arrow, saber, and bayonet represent strength, teamwork, and cohesion, signifying a combined arms organization.
  • Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron on 6 August 1942. It was redesignated for the 91st Reconnaissance Battalion on 25 May 1950. The insignia was redesignated for the 91st Armored Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalion on 22 October 1953. It was redesignated for the 91st Cavalry Regiment and amended to include a crest on 3 April 2006.

Current configuration

  • 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne)

The 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) is a light airborne reconnaissance unit currently based out of Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt, Germany. It currently serves as the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Targeting Acquisition unit.

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from 91st Cavalry Regiment. United States Army Institute of Heraldry.


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