THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (ARMY)

FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM

IS AWARDED TO THE

2D BATTALION, 12^TH CAVALRY,

1^ST CAVALRY DIVISION (AIRMOBILE)

AND TO

TROOP B, 1^ST SQUADRON

1^ST CAVALRY REGIMENT

UNITED STATES ARMY

The 2d Battalion, 12^th Cavalry, supported by Troop B, 1^st Squadron, 1^st Cavalry Regiment, distinguished itself by extraordinary heroism in combat during the period 2 January to 12 February 1968, in countering the North Vietnamese Army’s Winter-Spring Offensive in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. In five major engagements with enemy battalion or larger-sized units, the men of the 2d Battalion, 12^th Cavalry decisively defeated numerically superior enemy forces. Sacrificing hundreds of men, the enemy attempted in vain to hold positions or to seize objectives from the battalion in both defensive and offensive operations. The battalion never faltered in its aggressive assault against a determined and well-equipped foe. Crushing enemy initiative and rupturing enemy lines of communications, the battalion prevented the enemy from driving free world forces from the strategic Que Son Valley, which was key terrain in the battle for control of Quang Nam Province. Other heroic assaults against enemy positions in the Que Son Valley prevented the enemy from organizing to reinforce his units attacking the city of Hue. On 4 February the battalion was encircled by elements of the 6^th North Vietnamese Army Regiment. Even though the enemy attempted to annihilate the battalion with human wave assaults near the hamlet of Thon Que Chu, the battalion’s battle line held fast, and, during the night, the battalion exfiltrated without detection through the encircling enemy into positions even deeper within enemy lines of communications. This unexpected maneuver completely surprised the North Vietnamese Army forces (estimated at over 2,000 troops) and placed the battalion on commanding terrain inside the enemy rear area. From its new base, the battalion interdicted large enemy forces and continued surveillance on enemy movement to and from Hue. From the Que Son Valley to the outskirts of Hue, the 2d Battalion, 12^th Cavalry and Troop B, 1^st Squadron, 1^st Armored Cavalry Regiment showed their gallant fighting timber during many days of sustained combat. Their outstanding bravery, determination, esprit de corps, and devotion to duty blunted the enemy offensive and brought great credit upon them, their unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders No. 42

Headquarters, Department of the Army

11 August 1970

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