61st Cavalry Regiment (United States)

The 61st Cavalry Regiment is a Regiment of the United States Army first established in 2004.

History
The regiment traces its past to the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, which was activated in August 1941, and a year later was deployed to England. Afterwards it was deployed to North Africa, Italy, Southern France and ended the war leading the American advance into Germany. After occupation duty, the battalion was deactivated, having earned ten campaign streamers and two Presidential Unit Citations.

Lineage

 * Formed as 1st Infantry Division Provisional Antitank Battalion - 1941
 * Redesignated 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion - 15 December 1941.
 * Inactivated as 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion - 18 October 1945.
 * Reformed in Army Reserve designated 332d Heavy Tank Battalion - 1949
 * Redesignated Army Reserve 601st Tank Battalion.
 * Activated to Regular Army designated 61st Cavalry Regiment - 2004

Distinctive Unit Insignia

 * Description A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in diameter overall blazoned as follows: Per pale Gules and Argent, a pall Sable charged with ten mullets Or, three, three and four in pale at base, overall a rifle and a saber grips to base, saltirewise of the like and in chief a dagger point up of the last. Attached below the shield is a Black scroll inscribed “FORGING DESTINY” in Gold.
 * Symbolism The black pall represents the unit’s military lineage to the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion and the Regiment’s determination, strength and support to accomplish the unit’s military operations. The ten stars suggest the campaign participation during World War II. Red and white are the colors used for the Cavalry’s guidon. The crossed rifle and saber suggest the combined arms and the lineage of the major elements used to create the 61st Cavalry Regiment. The dagger symbolizes the unit’s military readiness, the early warriors and the dismounted reconnaissance troop.
 * Background The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 14 December 2005.

Blazon
Per pale Gules and Argent, a pall Sable charged with ten mullets Or, three, three and four at base, overall a rifle and saber saltirewise of the like grips to base, the rifle muzzle and the saber handgrip, pommel and part of the blade edged Gules, in chief a dagger point up Proper. From a wreath Argent and Gules, between a wreath consisting of a grapevine fructed in dexter and a palm frond in sinister Proper, a stylized mountain range Argent (Silver Gray) surmounted by a panther head affronté Sable garnished Or, eyed of the first and second, crushing in its mouth a tank of the third garnished of the fourth. Motto FORGING DESTINY. Red and gold are the colors traditionally used by Cavalry units. The black pall represents the unit’s military lineage to the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion and the Regiment’s determination, strength and support to accomplish the unit’s military operations. The ten stars suggest the campaign participation during World War II. Red and white are the colors used for the Cavalry’s guidon. The crossed rifle and saber suggest the combined arms and the lineage of the major elements used to create the 61st Cavalry Regiment. The dagger symbolizes the unit’s military readiness, the early warriors and the dismounted reconnaissance troop. The wreath, consisting of a grapevine and palm branch refers to the citation awarded the unit for campaigns in Colmar and Tunisia. The stylized mountain signifies the strength and steadfastness of the Regiment. The panther crushing the tank, adapted from the Tank Destroyer shoulder sleeve insignia, recalls the unit’s history. The coat of arms was approved on 14 December 2005
 * Shield
 * Crest
 * Symbolism
 * Shield
 * Crest
 * Background

Current configuration

 * 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
 * 2d Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment (inactive)
 * 3d Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th BCT, 4th Infantry Division
 * 4th Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment (inactive)