The 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) is a light Airborne

Reconnaissance In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...

Squadron currently serving as the

173rd Airborne Brigade The 173rd Airborne Brigade ("Sky Soldiers") is an Airborne forces, airborne infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) of the United States Army based in Vicenza, Italy. It is the United States European Command's conventional airborne strategic respo ...

reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) squadrons are a type of unit in the United States Army. These are cavalry squadrons (though in IBCTs they typically contain at least one dismounted infantry troop), and act at the sq ...

(RSTA) squadron based out of Tower Barracks in

Grafenwöhr Grafenwöhr (, Northern Bavarian: ''Groafawehr'') is a town in the district of Neustadt an der Waldnaab, in the region of the Upper Palatinate () in eastern Bavaria, Germany. It is widely known for the United States Army military installation an ...

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

. It is the only Airborne RSTA Squadron within the European, Middle East, and

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...

(EMEA) area of responsibility. The 91st Reconnaissance Squadron was originally organized as a mechanized cavalry reconnaissance squadron in the 1st Cavalry Division. It was the oldest and most experienced squadron (battalion) sized mechanized reconnaissance unit in the

US Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of the United Stat ...

. It completed six campaigns in

North Africa North Africa (sometimes Northern Africa) is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. There is no singularly accepted scope for the region. However, it is sometimes defined as stretching from the Atlantic shores of t ...

Sicily Sicily (Italian language, Italian and ), officially the Sicilian Region (), is an island in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of the Italian Peninsula in continental Europe and is one of the 20 regions of Italy, regions of Italy. With 4. ...

, and

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, while attached to various infantry and armored divisions. The 91st Cavalry Recon Squadron was a non-divisional unit and reported directly to the Army's II Corps. The unit was deactivated on 23 June 1953. The 91st Reconnaissance Squadron was re-activated, re-organized, and re-designated the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment on 8 June 2006, at Conn Barracks in

Schweinfurt Schweinfurt ( , ; ) is a town#Germany, city in the district of Lower Franconia in Bavaria, Germany. It is the administrative centre of the surrounding Schweinfurt (district), district (''Landkreis'') of Schweinfurt and a major industrial, cultur ...

. This reactivation was part of the transition of the 173rd Airborne Brigade to the U.S. Army's new modular force structure. This reactivation was the first time the colors of the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment had flown since the end of

. Organized as ″Task Force Saber″, 1-91 CAV has subsequently deployed three times to the

International Security Assistance Force The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was a multinational military mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. It was established by United Nations Security Council United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386, Resolution 1386 ac ...

's (ISAF)

Regional Command East In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...

in Eastern

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...

during

Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) was the official name used by the U.S. government for both the first stage (2001–2014) of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and the larger-scale Global War on Terrorism. On 7 October 2001, in response ...

(OEF). During OEF VIII 2007-08, the Squadron deployed troops to

Nuristan Nuristan, also spelled as Nurestan or Nooristan (Pashto: ; Katë: ), is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, located in the eastern part of the country. It is divided into seven districts and is Afghanistan's least populous province, with a ...

, Kunar, Nangarhar, and Paktika Provinces. During OEF X from 2009–10, and OEF XII-XIII from 2012–13, the Squadron deployed to Logar Province. Soon after returning to Germany from OEF XIII in March 2013, 1-91 CAV moved from Conn Barracks in

to Tower Barracks in

due to a Brigade realignment and the imminent closure of USAG Schweinfurt. After moving to Tower Barracks, 1-91 CAV shifted focus from the OEF mission to Airborne proficiency, and

NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO ; , OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental organization, intergovernmental Transnationalism, transnational military alliance of 32 Member states of NATO, member s ...

support and tactical reassurance. Since 2013, 1-91 CAV has conducted operations in

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...

, the

Czech Republic The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the south ...

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

Lithuania Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, P ...

Latvia Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...

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Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...

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Bulgaria Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern portion of the Balkans directly south of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea. Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey t ...

, and

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in addition to its German home. Most notably, 1-91 CAV represented the United States in several internationally recognized NATO exercises to include: Operation Steadfast Jazz, Operation Atlantic Resolve, and Operation Saber Junction. Most recently in January of 2017 and again in June of 2021, a detachment consisting primarily of members of the dismounted reconnaissance Troops (1-91 CAV), deployed to conduct security force operations in support of the Global War On Terror for Operation Atlantic Sentry. Members of Anvil Troop participated in and won the Gainey Cup - Best Scout Squad Competition at

Fort Benning Fort Benning (named Fort Moore from 2023–2025) is a United States Army post in the Columbus, Georgia area. Located on Georgia's border with Alabama, Fort Benning supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family members, reserve compone ...

in May of 2025 ahead of 17 other teams from the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, the

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, and

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Lineage

The 91st Cavalry Regiment was constituted in the Regular Army on 16 October 1928 from the 1st Armored Car Troop as Troop A of the 1st Armored Car Squadron, and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. Troop A was transferred to

Fort George G. Meade Fort George G. Meade is a United States Army installation located in Maryland, that includes the Defense Information School, the Defense Media Activity, the United States Army Field Band, and the headquarters of United States Cyber Command, th ...

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It borders the states of Virginia to its south, West Virginia to its west, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east ...

, on 29 August 1928, to Fort Holabird, Maryland, on 1 October 1928, and to Fort Bliss, Texas, on 10 November 1928. The remainder of the squadron was assigned to the Eighth Corps Area, and was activated on 30 June 1932 at

Fort Bliss Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in New Mexico and Texas, with its headquarters in El Paso, Texas. Established in 1848, the fort was renamed in 1854 to honor William Wallace Smith Bliss, Bvt.Lieut.Colonel William W.S. Bliss (1815–1853 ...

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

, with Organized Reserve personnel as a Regular Army Inactive (RAI) unit. On 1 March 1939, the squadron was redesignated the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron. On 3 January 1941, the squadron was fully activated and all Reserve personnel were relieved of assignment. It was redesignated the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron on 8 May 1941. * 91st Reconnaissance Battalion (1950) * 91st Armored Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalion (1953) * 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (ABN) (2006 – present)

Honors

Medal of Honor Recipients

* 1LT Gerry H. Kisters - 31 July 1943, Nicosia, Gagliano, Italy :(From Citation) "...On 31 July 1943, near Gagliano, Sicily, a detachment of one officer and nine enlisted men, including Sergeant Kisters, advancing ahead of the leading elements of U.S. troops to fill a large crater in the only available vehicle route through Gagliano, was taken under fire by two enemy machineguns. Sergeant Kisters and the officer, unaided and in the face of intense small arms fire, advanced on the nearest machinegun emplacement and succeeded in capturing the gun and its crew of four. Although the greater part of the remaining small arms fire was now directed on the captured machinegun position, Sergeant Kisters voluntarily advanced alone toward the second gun emplacement. While creeping forward, he was struck five times by enemy bullets, receiving wounds in both legs and his right arm. Despite the wounds, he continued to advance on the enemy, and captured the second machinegun after killing three of its crew and forcing the fourth member to flee." * 1LT Gerry H. Kisters was the first serviceman to be awarded both the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross during World War II.

Distinguished Service Cross Recipients

* 1LT Gerry H. Kisters - 7 May 1943, Ferryville, Tunisia :(From Citation) "...In May 1943, Ferryville,

Tunisia Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisia also shares m ...

, Sergeant Kisters made several individual reconnaissance missions, returning each time with timely and valuable information concerning location of artillery emplacements. Alone, and while subjected to enemy heavy artillery and concentrated machine gun fire, and individual rifle fire, Sergeant Kisters crept forward on an artillery piece which was firing on our forces. By the effective use of his hand grenades and rifle fire, Sergeant Kisters wiped out the entire crew." * SGT Peter T. Perkins - 3 Aug 1943, Sicily, Italy :"...Sergeant Peter T. Perkins (ASN: 18009273), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron, in action against enemy forces on 27 July 1943. Sergeant Perkins' intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army." * LTC Charles A. Ellis - 2–3 July 1944, Serrazzone, Fonano, Italy :"...The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Charles A. Ellis, Lieutenant Colonel (Cavalry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in action against enemy forces on 2 and 3 July 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Ellis' intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the * MAJ Thomas Bostick - B 1/91 CAV; 27 July 2007; Nuristan, Afghanistan The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) Thomas Gordon Bostick, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States while serving as the Commanding Officer of Troop B, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, on 27 July 2007 in

. When he was advised by friendly foreign forces that an enemy element was approaching his position, Major Bostic rapidly employed mortar fire and close air support on the approaching enemy to suppress them. While directing fire, his position came under enemy small arms fire, nevertheless, he continued to direct fire until the enemy was defeated. When the immediate threat was neutralized, Major Bostic maneuvered his quick reaction force to a forward position to retrieve three casualties. After a lull in the battle, the enemy reinforced their attack and engaged Major Bostick and the forward elements from three sides. Once again, he employed direct and indirect fire on the enemy positions and enabled the lead element to begin to move to more defensible positions. As the fire on his position intensified, Major Bostick positioned himself between the enemy and his own exposed Soldiers who were navigating the mountainous terrain and engaged the enemy with accurate fire. While in this exposed position and under continuous small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire, he was mortally wounded. Major Bostick's selfless actions ensured his Soldiers had sufficient time to retreat through the hazardous terrain in order to seek cover and survive the attack. Major Bostick's actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 91st Cavalry Regiment, and the United States Army.

Silver Star Recipients

* PVT Carl Moore; B 91st RECON; 3 Aug 1943; Sicily, Italy * SGT Joseph A. Mammone, 91st CAV RECON, 1944, Sicily, Italy * CPT Simmie Oslin Callahan III, 91st CAV RECON; 1943 * MAJ John B. Donnell, 91st CAV RECON, Bizerte, Tunesia, Africa, 1943 * 1LT Dan E. Coffee, 91st CAV RECON, Bizerte, Tunesia, Africa, 1943 * 1LT John M. Davis, B TRP, 91st CAV RECON, Africa, 1943 * 2LT William R. White, 91st CAV RECON, Sedjenane, Africa, 27 Apr 1943 * 1LT Charles W. Stowell, E TRP, 91st CAV RECON, Africa, 1943 * CPT Ted F. Douthitt, C TRP, 91st CAV RECON, Africa, 1943 * 1LT Edward Stuart Wells, A TRP, 91st CAV RECON, Africa, 1943 * 1LT Charles W. Stowell, E TRP, 91st CAV RECON, 1944 * 1LT John Meyer; B 1/91 CAV; 27 July 2007; Nuristan, Afghanistan * 1LT Alex Newsom; B 1/91 CAV; 27 July 2007; Nuristan, Afghanistan * SGT Robert Fortner; B 1/91 CAV; 27 July 2007; Nuristan, Afghanistan

World War II Configuration

*91st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (1941–1943) :Headquarters Troop :A Troop (Recon, Scout Car) :B Troop (Recon, Scout Car) :C Troop (Recon, Bantam) :E Troop (Light Tank) *91st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (1943–1945) :Headquarters Troop, with Pioneer and Demolitions Platoon :A Troop (Recon, Scout Car) :B Troop (Recon, Scout Car) :C Troop (Recon, Bantam) :D Troop (Support Troop) :E Troop (Anti-Tank) :F Troop (Heavy Guns)

Current configuration

1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) is currently constituted of five Troops: :* Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (Command Group, Medical Platoon, FIST, TUAS Platoon) :* Anvil Troop (Recon Scout) :* Bulldog Troop (Recon Scout) :* Comanche Troop (LRS Infantry, Sniper) :* Darkhorse Troop (Support, Maintenance/Transportation)

References

* Historical register and dictionary of the United States Army, from ..., Volume 1 By Francis Bernard Heitma

* Encyclopedia of United States Army insignia and uniforms By William K. Emerson (page 51

* https://web.archive.org/web/20100106052559/http://homepage.mac.com/yeide/SquadronAndBattalionHist.htm

External links

* https://web.archive.org/web/20110513005759/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/ar/default.htm * https://web.archive.org/web/20110513005804/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/cav/default.htm * https://web.archive.org/web/20130606031159/http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/ * http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/1-91cav.htm * http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EMEA_Campaign_Medal_World_War_II.png * http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NATO_ISAF_Medal.png {{US Army navbox Military units and formations established in 2006 091 Airborne units and formations of the United States Army

Lineage

Honors

Medal of Honor Recipients

Distinguished Service Cross Recipients

Silver Star Recipients

World War II Configuration

Current configuration

See also

References

External links