1st Cav celebrates 86th birthday

“To all the troopers, the friends and family members of the First Team, I thank you all for your selfless service and sacrifice, and I wish you all a very happy birthday,” Fil told a standing-room-only crowd.

During the birthday celebration, troopers with 1st Cavalry Division enjoyed a cake resembling the large patch they wear so proudly. The 1st Cavalry Division Band was on hand serenading those in attendance with birthday music. Fil chose the youngest Soldier in attendance to help with the ceremonial cutting of the cake. The Soldier, and his father, teamed with Fil to do the honors.

“That was pretty exciting,” said 19-year-old Spc. Thomas Rogers, a native of Jackson, Mo., and an automated logistics specialist with the 35th Engineer Brigade (Corps), a National Guard unit based out of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

“We just got here a couple of weeks ago, and I can see the tradition already,” said Rogers’ father, Lt. Col. Andrew Rogers, also with the 35th Engineer Brigade.

The division was formed in 1921. That year, a legacy of tradition, pride and heritage was born with its formal activation at Fort Bliss, Texas Sept. 13.

However, 1st Cavalry Division units have served the nation since 1855. The division was originally set up to patrol the Mexican border. The cavalry, which worked mostly on horseback, was called on to put an end to illegal smuggling along the Mexican border.

Since those early days, the 1st Cavalry Division has seen action in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, a deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina, and is currently serving in its second Operation Iraq Freedom deployment.

During the rich history of the division, 37 First Team Soldiers have received the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions in combat.

Maj. Gen. Robert L. Howze served as the first commander of the First Team from 1921-1925.

In 2003, 1st Cavalry Division aviators were part of the main push into Baghdad, and the entire division deployed in 2004, helping to set the stage for national elections in January 2005.

The 1st Cavalry Division’s tenth deployment in its 86-year history is coming to an end, and First Team Soldiers will soon be returning home.

If you are going to post a picture of a Calvaryman, use a real one, or at least an actor portraying a real one.

I'd suggest Lt. Col. Hal Moore, later LG Moore

Lt. Col. Hal Moore, commander 1st battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Ia Drang valley, Republic of Vietnam. Or Lt. Rick Rescorla

Lt. Rick Rscorla, also 1st/7th, Ia Drang Valley. KIA, 2001 September 11, World Trade Center, where he is credited with saving about 2,700 lives, nearly as many as the Jihadies killed at the WTC that day. He died making sure everyone was out.

That would have to be George S. Patton and the M1913 Cavalry Saber.

Here's a bit of trivia on the 1st Cav patch from the Cavalry Times.

"When, in September of 1921, a new unit designated 'The 1st Cavalry Division' was authorized, the question of an identifying insignia immediately arose. The prevelant regulations dictated the insignia would have three principles: 1. Bind men together in a common devotion; 2. To be an easily recognizable sign around which men could reassemble after battle; and 3. Be a word picture which would bring inspiration to the hearts and minds of the men of the division. Due to the economic restrictions, the patch should be composed of only two colors.

"The unit was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, where the sand and dust never settles, and where also was stationed Colonel and Mrs. Ben Dorcy. It seems that they were well known for their knowledge of heraldry and decided to design an insignia for the new division. They agreed that the traditional cavalry colors of blue and gold would be a good color for the background of the new insignia. It so happened at that time that Mr. Dorcy was cutting up an old dress blue cape of her busband's which had a bright yellow lining. This became the cloth upon which the first patch was drawn. Seeing a trooper ride by mounted on a beautiful black thoroughbred horse, it was immediately decided to use the horse's head in the design.

"They then chose the shape of a Norman knight's shield for the outline of the patch. It was customary in medieval times for the knights to have their family coat of arms painted on their shields. Since few people could read, troops could rally around the knight's emblem during battle. It therefore became a noble and symbolic choice for the new patch design. The bend (stripe) across the patch also came from heraldry. It is to represent the scaling ladders used in ancient battles to breach the walls of a castle. It occupies a place of honor equal to the horse because both were necessary to meet and defeat the enemy.

"Colonel Dorcy then finished sketching the design on the yellow cape lining, Mrs. Dorcy sewed on the bend and the design was accepted as the 'First Team's' symbol. It was the largest patch in the Army and its size was justified by being at Fort Bliss, where the swirling dust often obscured smaller designs.

"It is designed so that, when worn on the left shoulder, the horse faces the enemy. And when worn on the right shoulder, the horse is facing the rear, remembering service and accomplishments in the past. Today, the original patch resides in the library of the US Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, PA."

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Happy Birthday!!!!!