7th Cavalry Regiment (United States)

Blazon

 * Shield: Or, on a chevron Azure, between a phoenix rising from its ashes in dexter chief, the head of a North American Indian in war bonnet couped at the neck in sinister chief, all Proper, and a yucca plant Vert in base, seven horseshoes heels upward of the field.
 * Crest: On a wreath of the colors (Or and Azure) a dexter arm embowed vested Azure, the hand in a buckskin gauntlet Proper, grasping an old style United States Army saber Argent, hilted Or
 * Motto: THE SEVENTH FIRST.

Symbolism

 * Shield:
 * 1) The field is yellow, the Cavalry color; the principal charge is a chevron whose origin tradition ascribes to the spur, which was formerly of that shape without rowel.
 * 2) The number of the horseshoes corresponds to the numerical designation of the regiment.
 * 3) The phoenix symbolizes the resurgence of the regiment after its heavy losses in the Battle of Little Big Horn.
 * 4) The Indian head and yucca commemorate Indian campaigns and the Punitive Expedition of 1916, respectively.
 * Crest:
 * 1) The crest shows the position of “raised saber” taken at the command “Charge” prescribed by General Order 6, Adjutant General Office, 1873, the arm being habited in the uniform of the period.

Background

 * 1) The coat of arms was originally approved for the 7th Cavalry Regiment on 6 December 1920.
 * 2) It was redesignated for the 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) on 16 December 1953.
 * 3) The insignia was redesignated for the 7th Cavalry Regiment and the symbolism amended to accurately reflect the losses incurred at the Battle of Little Big Horn on 4 February 1983.

Description

 * 1) Within a Gold and enamel horseshoe 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) overall, showing seven nail holes, heels upward and the opening between the heels closed with a Blue ribbon bearing the words “GARRY OWEN” in Yellow letters, the crest of the coat of arms of the Regiment (on a wreath Or and Azure a dexter arm embowed vested Azure the hand in a buckskin gauntlet Proper grasping an old style United States Army saber Argent hilted Or)

Symbolism

 * 1) The color gold, or yellow, is symbolic of the Cavalry service, yellow being the color of the facings on the old blue uniform at the time the Regiment was first organized.
 * 2) The horseshoe is adapted from the Regimental coat of arms, the seven nail holes alluding to the unit’s numerical designation.
 * 3) The gauntlet and saber at the “Charge” position are also adapted from the coat of arms and represent the “Cavalry Charge” and the battle heritage of the Regiment.
 * 4) “Gary Owen” is the name of a song which became a favorite of General Custer and once was used as a battle song in the Indian Wars.

Background

 * 1) The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 7th Cavalry Regiment on 29 June 1924.
 * 2) It was redesignated for the 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) on 16 December 1953.
 * 3) The insignia was redesignated for the 7th Cavalry Regiment and amended to revise the description and include a symbolism on 4 February 1983.

Flag

 * a.Size:
 * 1) Hoist: Three Feet.
 * Fly: Four Feet.
 * 1) Fringe: 2½”


 * b.Description.
 * 1) The flag has a solid background with an embroidered American eagle displayed centered thereon. In its right talon the eagle holds an olive branch; in its left talon, a bundle of 13 arrows, all in proper colors. Its beak grasps a scroll inscribed with the unit motto. Below the eagle is a scroll inscribed with the designation of the organization. On the eagle’s breast is embroidered the shield of the coat of arms and the crest is above the eagle’s head.


 * c. Organizational colors:
 * 1) Organization: Calvary
 * 2) Background: Yellow
 * 3) Fringe: Yellow
 * 4) Letters and Numbers: Scarlet
 * 5) Scrolls.
 * 6) Outline:Scarlet
 * 7) Background: White

7th Cavalry Regiment

 * 7th Cavalry Regiment Constituted 28 July 1866 in the Regular Army as the 7th Cavalry Regiment.
 * Companies A through C, 7th Cavalry Regiment Organized 10 September 1866 at Fort Riley, Kansas.
 * 7th Cavalry Regiment and Company D Organized 21 September 1866 at Fort Riley, Kansas
 * Company E, 7th Cavalry Regiment Organized 22 December 1866 at Fort Riley, Kansas.
 * All Cavalry Companies designated as Troops in 1883.
 * 7th Cavalry Regiment Assigned in December 1917 to the 15th Cavalry Division
 * 7th Cavalry Regiment Relieved in May 1918 from assignment to the 15th Cavalry Division
 * 7th Cavalry Regiment Assigned 13 September 1921 to the 1st Cavalry Division
 * 7th Cavalry Regiment Dismounted 28 February 1943.
 * 7th Cavalry Regiment Reorganized 4 December 1943 partly under cavalry and partly under infantry tables of organization and equipment, and the 1st Cavalry Division concurrently reorganized and redesignated as the 1st Cavalry Division, Special;
 * 7th Cavalry Regiment reorganized 25 July 1945 wholly as infantry, but retained cavalry designations)
 * On 25 March 1949, 7th Cavalry Regiment troops redesignated as companies.
 * On 1 July 1957, Company C, 7th Cavalry Regiment transferred (less than personnel and equipment) from Japan to Germany; concurrently consolidated with the 10th Reconnaissance Company, reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment; Relieved from assignment to 1st Cavalry Division and Assigned to 10th Infantry Division (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated).
 * 7th Cavalry Regiment Relieved 15 October 1957 from assignment to the 1st Cavalry Division
 * On 1 November 1957, the following activities took place:
 * 1) 7th Cavalry Regiment Reorganized and redesignated as a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System.
 * 2) Company A, 7th Cavalry Regiment Reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battle Group, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated)
 * 3) Company B, 7th Cavalry Regiment Reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. Concurrently consolidated with the 3rd Reconnaissance Company, transferred (less Personnel and Equipment) from Japan to Fort Benning, Georgia; Relieved from assignment to 1st Cavalry Division; Assigned to 3rd Infantry Division, and Reorganized.
 * 4) Company E, 7th Cavalry Regiment Inactivated in Japan; concurrently redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment and Relieved from assignment to 1st Cavalry Division.
 * 7th Cavalry Regiment Withdrawn 16 February 1989 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System.

1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment

 * On 1 November 1957, Company A, 7th Cavalry Regiment Reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battle Group, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated in Korea.).
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battle Group, 7th Cavalry Regiment Redesignated 1 September 1963 as the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment.
 * 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment Transferred (less personnel and equipment) on 1 July 1965 from Korea to Fort Benning, Georgia and reorganized.
 * 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment Arrived in Vietnam on 15 September 1965.
 * 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment Arrived at Fort Hood, Texas from Vietnam and Inactivated 22 August 1972.
 * 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment Activated on 20 June 1974 at Fort Hood, Texas.
 * 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment Reorganized and redesignated 16 October 1986 as the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment.

2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment

 * On 1 November 1957 Company B, 7th Cavalry Regiment Reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. Concurrently consolidated with the 3rd Reconnaissance Company, transferred (less Personnel and Equipment) from Japan to Fort Benning, Georgia; Relieved from assignment to 1st Cavalry Division; Assigned to 3rd Infantry Division, and Reorganized (Organic elements concurrently constituted and Activated).
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment Redesignated 5 June 1963 as 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment; concurrently transferred (less personnel and equipment) from US Army Europe to US Army Pacific, relieved from assignment to 3rd Infantry Division, and assigned to 1st Cavalry Division
 * 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment Reorganized 1 September 1963 in Korea.
 * 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment Transferred (less personnel and equipment) 1 July 1965 from Korea to Fort Benning, Georgia, and reorganized.

3rd Reconnaissance Troop

 * 3rd Reconnaisance Troop constitituted 1 August 1940 in the Regular Army and assigned to 3rd Infantry Division.
 * 3rd Reconnaisance Troop Activated 5 August 1940 at Fort Lewis, Washington.
 * 3rd Reconnaisance Troop Redesignated 1 April 1941 as 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop.
 * 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop. Reorganized and Redesignated on 16 June 1944 as 3rd Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized.
 * 3rd Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized. Reorganized and redesignated 15 August 1945 as 3rd Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop.
 * 3rd Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop Reorganized and Redesignated 10 January 1949 as 3rd Reconnaissance Company.
 * On 1 November 1957 Company B, 7th Cavalry Regiment Reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. Concurrently consolidated with the 3rd Reconnaissance Company, transferred (less Personnel and Equipment) from Japan to Fort Benning, Georgia; Relieved from assignment to 1st Cavalry Division; Assigned to 3rd Infantry Division, and Reorganized.

3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry

 * On 1 July 1957, Company C, 7th Cavalry Regiment transferred (less than personnel and equipment) from Japan to Germany; concurrently consolidated with the 10th Reconnaissance Company, reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment; Relieved from assignment to 1st Cavalry Division and Assigned to 10th Infantry Division (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated).
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment Relieved from assignment to the 10th Infantry Division on 14 June 1958 and assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division; Reorganized at Fort Benning, Georgia.
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment Redesignated as 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment on 25 January 1963.
 * 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment Inactivated 20 February 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia; concurrently relieved from assignment to 2nd Infantry Division.
 * 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment Assigned 18 April 1963 to 3rd Infantry Division.
 * 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment Activated 5 June 1963 in Germany.

10th Mountain Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop

 * 10th Mountain Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop Constituted 1 November 1944 in the Army of the United States as the 10th Mountain Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop and assigned to the 10th Mountain Division (later designated as the 10th Infantry Division)
 * 10th Mountain Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop Activated 6 November 1944 at Camp Swift, Texas
 * 10th Mountain Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop Inactivated 20 October 1944 at Camp Carson, Colorado
 * 10th Mountain Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop Redesignated 18 June 1948 as the 10th Reconnaissance Company
 * 10th Reconnaissance Company Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army
 * 10th Reconnaissance Company Activated 1 July 1948 at Fort Riley, Kansas
 * 10th Reconnaissance Company Consolidated 1 July 1957 with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry, and remained assigned to the 10th Infantry Division.
 * 10th Reconnaissance Company Relieved 14 June 1958 from assignment to the 10th Infantry Division and assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division
 * 10th Reconnaissance Company Redesignated 25 January 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment.
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Inactivated 20 February 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia, and relieved from assignment to the 2nd Infantry Division
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Assigned 18 April 1963 to the 3rd Infantry Division
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Activated 3 June 1963 in Germany
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Inactivated 16 October 1986 in Germany and relieved from assignment to the 3rd Infantry Division
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Assigned 16 December 1986 to the 8th Infantry Division and activated in Germany
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Inactivated 16 November 1992 in Germany and relieved from assignment to the 8th Infantry Division (Former 10th Reconnaissance Company concurrently withdrawn from the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry)

4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment

 * Troop D, 7th Cavalry Regiment Reorganized and redesignated 13 September 1921 as Headquarters Troop, 1st Cavalry Division
 * Headquarters Troop, 1st Cavalry Division Reorganized and redesignated 4 December 1943 as Headquarters Troop, 1st Cavalry Division, Special
 * Headquarters Troop, 1st Cavalry Division, Special Reorganized and redesignated 25 March 1949 as Headquarters Company, 1st Cavalry Division
 * Headquarters Company, 1st Cavalry Division Disbanded 1 July 1960 in Korea
 * Headquarters Company, 1st Cavalry Division Reconstituted 2 July 1960 in the Regular Army, consolidated with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and consolidated unit designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Redesignated 25 January 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division (organic elements concurrently constituted)
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment activated 20 February 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment Inactivated 18 January 1988 in Korea and relieved from assignment to the 2nd Infantry Division
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment Assigned 16 February 1989 to the 3rd Armored Division and activated in Germany
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment Inactivated 16 October 1991 in Germany and relieved from assignment to the 3rd Armored Division.
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment consolidated 5 April 1996 with the 2nd Reconnaissance Company, and consolidated unit designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry; Squadron concurrently assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division and activated in Korea.

Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry

 * Constituted 13 November 1943 in the Regular Army as Troop D, 7th Cavalry Regiment.
 * Troop D, 7th Cavalry Regiment Activated 4 December 1943 in Australia, partly under cavalry and partly under infantry tables of organization and equipment
 * Troop D, 7th Cavalry Regiment Reorganized and redesignated 25 March 1949 as Company D, 7th Cavalry Regiment.
 * Company D, 7th Cavalry Regiment Inactivated 1 November 1957 in Korea and relieved from assignment to the 1st Cavalry Division; concurrently redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry

2nd Reconnaissance Company

 * 2nd Reconnaissance Company Constituted 20 July 1940 in the Regular Army as the 2nd Reconnaissance Troop and assigned to the 2nd Division (later redesignated as the 2nd Infantry Division)
 * 2nd Reconnaissance Troop Activated 1 August 1940 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas
 * 2nd Reconnaissance Troop Redesignated 1 April 1942 as the 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop
 * 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop Redesignated 1 March 1943 as the 2nd Reconnaissance Troop
 * 2nd Reconnaissance Troop Reorganized and redesignated 10 August 1943 as the 2nd Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized
 * 2nd Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized Redesignated 6 July 1944 as the 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized
 * 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized Redesignated 16 June 1945 as the 2nd Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop
 * 2nd Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop Redesignated 30 July 1945 as the 2nd Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop
 * 2nd Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop Reorganized and redesignated 15 October 1948 as the 2nd Reconnaissance Company
 * 2nd Reconnaissance Company Inactivated 20 June 1957 in Alaska and relieved from assignment to the 2nd Infantry Division

5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment

 * Company E, 7th Cavalry Regiment Inactivated 1 November 1957 in Japan; concurrently redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment and Relieved from assignment to 1st Cavalry Division.
 * Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment Redesignated 26 March 1966 as 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and assigned to 1st Cavalry Division (Organic elements concurrently constituted).
 * 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment Activated 1 April 1966 at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Campaign Participation Credit

 * Indian Wars:
 * 1) COMMANCHES 1867 – 1875
 * 2) LITTLE BIG HORN 1876 – 1877
 * 3) NEZ PERCES 1877
 * 4) PINE RIDGE 1890 - 1891
 * 5) MONTANA 1873
 * 6) DAKOTA 1874


 * Mexican Expedition
 * 1) MEXICO 1916-1917


 * World War II
 * 1) NEW GUINEA 1943 - 1944
 * 2) BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO 1943 - 1944
 * 3) LEYTE 1944 - 1945
 * 4) LUZON 1944 - 1945


 * Korean War
 * 1) UN DEFENSIVE 1950
 * 2) UN OFFENSIVE 1950
 * 3) CCF INTERVENTION 1950-1951
 * 4) FIRST U.N. COUNTEROFFENSIVE 1951
 * 5) CCF SPRING OFFENSIVE 1951
 * 6) U.N. SUMMER-FALL OFFENSIVE 1951
 * 7) SECOND KOREAN WINTER 1951-1952
 * 8) THIRD KOREAN WINTER 1952-1953


 * Vietnam
 * 1) VIETNAM DEFENSE 1965
 * 2) VIETNAM COUNTEROFFENSIVE 1965-1966
 * 3) VIETNAM COUNTEROFFENSIVE, PHASE II 1966-1967
 * 4) VIETNAM COUNTEROFFENSIVE, PHASE III 1967-1968
 * 5) TET COUNTEROFFENSIVE 1968


 * Southwest Asia Service
 * 1) DEFENSE OF SAUDI ARABIA 1990-1991
 * 2) LIBERATION AND DEFENSE OF KUWAIT 1991
 * 3) SOUTHWEST ASIA CEASE-FIRE 1991-1995

Decorations

 * To Be Added.