[Cannoneer No. 4]

In November 1968 B Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th ACR, after a lengthy period of field operations, was ordered to Bien Hoa to rest, repair its vehicles, and refit its equipment and weapons. After a few weeks B Troop was declared once again ready for combat. On short notice the troop was ordered to move North to support the 1st Infantry Division.

During the road march north the radio suddenly came to life with information that the Regimental Commander, COL George S. Patton, Blackhorse Six, was standing on the side of the road saluting each A-Cav as it went by him. The troopers on each vehicle, including myself, returned the salute as they went by Blackhorse Six. At that time, B Troop was commanded by CPT John Hays, an outstanding Troop Commander. Several days later CPT Hays was killed in an attack against dug in NVA troops.

COL Patton's simple leadership act of standing by the road and saluting each vehicle as it went by had a great affect on me. That image has stuck with me to this day.

Lee J. Pryor

HOW 1/11 1968-69

[brazzaville]

Good morning.
In 1968 my company worked for the 11th ACR for a while and I met Col. Patton in our TOC a couple of times. I remember him being cool towards us, probably because we were too loose for him. Blackhorse was a good unit to work for which, to me, means Patton was a good leader.

Michael Frazier

[snippy_about_it]

He must have made his dad very proud. RIP George S. Patton.