The 11th Aviation Battalion was a United States Army aviation unit that fought in the Vietnam War. The unit served as a test for helicopter support of ground infantry units.
History The unit was constituted on 21 August 1965 and activated on 23 August 1965 at Fort Benning, Ga. The Battalion was inactivated on 16 September 1987. The 11th Aviation Battalion stationed at Fliegerhorst Kaserne in Erlensee, Germany, was the air wing of V Corps.US Army in Germany. 11th Aviation Battalion. Retrieved 8 May 2017. The 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment, at Fort Rucker, now carries the 11th Aviation Battalion's lineage.US Army. 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment , Fort Rucker, Alabama. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
Organizational structure in the Vietnam War The organizational structure of the 11th Aviation Battalion reflected the following units in 1966/7: HQ and HQ Company at Phu Loi Base Camp 390th Quartermaster Detachment (PETRL) at Long Binh Post 116th Assault Helicopter Company at Củ Chi Base Camp 283rd Signal Detachment (RL) Cu Chi 392nd Transportation Detachment (KD) at Cu Chi 431st Medical Detachment (OA) at Cu Chi 128th Assault Helicopter Company at Phu Loi 285th Signal Detachment (RL) at Phu Loi 393rd Transportation Detachment (KD) at Phu Loi 432nd Medical Detachment (OA) at Phu Loi 162nd Assault Helicopter Company at Phước Vĩnh Base Camp 407th Transportation Detachment (KD) at Phuoc Vinh 450th Signal Detachment (RL) at Phuoc Vinh 758th Medical Detachment (OA) at Phuoc Vinh 173rd Assault Helicopter Company at Lai Khê 408th Transportation Detachment (KD) at Lai Khe 451st Signal Detachment (RL) at Lai Khe 759th Medical Detachment (OA) at Lai Khe 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company at Phu Loi 400th Transportation Detachment (AB) Phu Loi 184th Reconnaissance Airplane Company at Phu Loi 243rd Signal Detachment (RL) at Phu Loi 205th Assault Support Helicopter Company at Phu loi 612th Transportation Detachment (AB) at Phu Loi 213th Combat Assault Support Helicopter Company at Phu Loi 329th Transportation Detachment (AB) at Phu Loi 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company at Phu Loi 400th Transportation Detachment (AB) at Phu Loi
Commanders In Vietnam LTC John W. Lauterbach, in command on 1 January 1966. LTC Joseph B. Starker; assumed command on 20 May 1966.US Army, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion (1 February 1968). Operational Report on Lessons Learned for the period ending 31 July 1966, page 8. Retrieved 8 May 2017. LTC Leo E. Soucek; assumed command on 7 May 1967,US Army, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion (1 August 1967). Operational Report - Lessons Learned (RCS-CSFOR-67) for Quarterly Period Ending 31 July 1967. Retrieved 8 May 2017. later retiring as a Brigadier General.. Retrieved 8 May 2017. LTC William A. Hobbs; assumed command on 10 November 67.US Army, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion (1 February 1968). Operational Report for Quarterly Period Ending 31 January 1968, page 3. Retrieved 8 May 2017. LTC William F. Bauman; assumed command on 22 April 1968.US Army, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion (12 May 1968). Operational Report for Quarterly Period Ending 30 April 1968, page 7. Retrieved 8 May 2017. LTC Robert W. Flint, in command on 31 January 1970.US Army, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion (13 February 1970). Operational Report on Lessons Learned for the period ending 31 January 1970, page 21. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
In Germany Tommy StinerETSU Army ROTC. Tommy Stiner. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
Awards and decorations
Campaign credit Conflict Streamer Year(s) Vietnam War Defense 1965 Counteroffensive 1965–1966 Counteroffensive, Phase II 1966–1967 Counteroffensive, Phase III 1967–1968 Tet Counteroffensive 1968 Counteroffensive, Phase IV 1968 Counteroffensive, Phase V 1968 Counteroffensive, Phase VI 1968–1969 Tet 69/Counteroffensive 1969 Summer-Fall 1969 1969 Winter-Spring 1970 1969–1970 Sanctuary Counteroffensive Counteroffensive, Phase VII Consolidation I Consolidation II
Unit decorations Ribbon Award Year NotesValorous Unit Award (Army)4 – 20 Nov 66DAU TIENG-SUOI DAMeritorious Unit Commendation (Army)1 Jan – 31 Dec 67VIETNAM 1967Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with PalmDec 65 – Jun 66For service in VietnamRepublic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm1 Mar 66 – 26 Mar 67For service in VietnamRepublic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm22 Feb 67 – 17 May 68For service in VietnamRepublic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm1 Jan 69 – 30 Sep 70For service in VietnamRepublic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm1 Oct 70 – 31 Aug 72For service in VietnamRepublic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm26 Sep – 10 Oct 71For service in VietnamRepublic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation1 May 69 – 15 May 70For service in VietnamRepublic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation1 Jan – 31 Dec 71For service in Vietnam
References
Sources Department of the Army (29 January 1988). Pamphlet 672–3, page 17. Accessed 8 May 2017.