Aviation Brigade Patches History1

Information extracted from the book "US ARMY PATCHES"  by Barry Jason Stein

USED BY PERMISSION

1st Avn Bde

Gold and red are colors of the Republic of Vietnam and of the shoulder - sleeve insignia of the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; and United States Army, Vietnam, the commands under which the brigade was formed and served in armed conflict.  The hawk in flight preparing to strike its prey symbolizes aviation's impact on modern ground warfare.  It was adopted as the symbol of the new aviation capabilities during the initial phase of air assault concept testing in 1963.  The crusader's sword, taken from the shoulder-sleeve insignia of the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, identifies the origin and mission of the brigade in Vietnam.  The rapid increase in aviation units in Vietnam dictated formation of the aviation brigade to command multiple units.

Campaigns:  Vietnam (Counteroffensive and Phase II/III/IV/V/VI/VII, Tet and Tet/69 Counteroffensives, Summer-Fall 1969, Winter-Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive, Consolidation I and II, Cease Fire).

Decorations:  Meritorious Unit Commendations (streamers emrboidered Vietnam 1969 - 1970; Vietnam 1970 - 1971; Vietnam 1971 - 1972; Vietnam 1972), Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm (streamers embroidered Vietnam 1966 - 1967; Vietnam 1967 - 198; Vietnam 1969 - 1970; and Vietnam 1970 - 1972), Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal -- First Class (streamer embroidered Vietnam 1971 - 1972).

11th Avn Bde

The eagle is used to symbolize the superior flying ability of the Eleventh Aviation Brigade; the wings displayed with claws extended represent the unit's outstanding record of revolutionizing airmobile warfare.

Campaigns:  Vietnam (Defense, Counteroffensive and Phases II/III/IV/V/ VI/VII, Tet and Tet/69 Counteroffensives, Summer-Fall 1969, Winter - Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive, Consolidation I and II, Cease Fire), Armed Forces Expeditions (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

Decorations:  Presidential Unit Citation  -- Army (streamer embroidered Pleiku Province), Valorous Unit Award (streamer embroidered Fish Hook), Meritorious Unit Commendation (streamer embroidered Vietnam 1965 - 1966), Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm (streamers embroidered Vietnam 1965 - 1966; and Vietnam 1969 - 1970; Vietnam 1970 - 1971; and Vietnam 1971 - 1972), Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal -- First Class (streamer embroidered Vietnam 1969 - 1970).

12th Avn Bde

The total number of tongues of flame equal the numerical designation of the brigade.

Campaigns:  Vietnam (Defense, Counteroffensive and Phases II/III/IV/V/ VI/VII, Tet and Tet./69, Winter-Spring Counteroffensives, Summer-Fall 1969, Winter-Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive, Consolidation I and II, Cease Fire), Armed Forces Expeditions (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

Decorations:  Meritorious Unit Commendation (streamer embroidered Vietnam 1967), Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm (streamers embroidered Vietnam 1966 - 2967l Vietnam 1967 - 1968; Vietnam 1969 - 1970; and Vietnam 1970 - 1972), Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal -- First Class (streamer embroidered Vietnam 1969 - 1970).

17th Avn Bde

The broad sword is adapted from the unit's distinctive unit image and symbolizes combat readiness and swift-strike capability.  The sword joined with the wings is indicative of aviation lifting combat forces into battle as well as the combat capability of the attack helicopter units with - in the Seventeenth Aviation Brigade.

Campaigns:  Vietnam (Defense, Counteroffensive and Phases II/III/IV/V/ VI/VII, Tet and Tet/69 Counteroffensives, Summer-Fall 1969, Winter - Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive, Consolidation I and II, Cease - Fire).

Decorations:  Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm (streamers embroidered Vietnam 1966 - 1967; Vietnam 1967 - 1968; Vietnam 1969 - 1970; and Vietnam 1966 - 1972).

18th Avn Bde (Abn)

The wings represent flight, high aspirations, and preparedness.  The quarrel symbolizes strike capabilities and aircraft.

Campaigns:  Vietnam (Counteroffensive Phases II/III/IV/V/VI/VII, Tet and Tet/69 Counteroffensives, Summer-Fall 1969, Winter-Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive), Armed Forces Expeditions (Panama, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

Decorations:  Meritorious Unit Commendation -- Army (streamer embroidered Vietnam 1967), Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm (streamers embroidered Vietnam 1966 - 1967; Vietnam 1967 - 1968; Vietnam 1968; and Vietnam 1968 - 1970), Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medals -- First Class (streamers embroidered Vietnam 1967 - 1970; and Vietnam 1970).

66th Avn Bde 1st

Worn from:  8 December 1988 - 19 July 1989.

The lightning bolt and the falcon underscore the unit's combat mission, to attack from the sky and destroy enemy troops and armor.

66th Avn Bde 2nd

Worn from:  19 July 1989 - Current.

The lightning bolt and the falcon underscore the unit's combat mission, to attack from the sky and destroy enemy troops and armor.

128th Avn Bde

Blue is symbolic of the sky, the unit's theater of operations, and reflects perseverance, devotion, and loyalty.  The division between the blue and orange simulates flames, implying firepower; the pheons represent attack capabilities, swiftness, and sureness in flight of aircraft.

Campaigns:  Armed Forces Expeditions (Panama).