Comes with C.O.A.

This incredibly rare and museum-grade Vietnam War heavily flown flag is one of two flags brought back by 1st Lieut. Dwight C. Cheek (212-48-9560) of the 1st Squadron, 4th Calvary Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Troop D (AIR).

As an Air Cavalry veteran of the infamous “Quarterhorses” the 1st Squadron, 4th Calvary Regiment provided a third dimension to the cavalry effort, reaching farther and faster into the battle space than any other manned weapon system.

Troop D (AIR) provided helicopter support for the 1st Infantry Division and acted as air cavalry, a new concept in the Army. The 1st Squadron participated in eleven campaigns of the Vietnam War from 20 October 1965 to 5 February 1970. The 1st Squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its heroism in Binh Long Province and a Valorous Unit Award for Binh Doung Province. The 1st Squadron received a Valorous Unit Award for its actions at the battle of Ap Bau Bang. 1st Lieut. Dwight C. Cheek’s primary missions were to act as the forward eyes of the Squadron and Division, using the OH-58D(I) Kiowa Warrior armed reconnaissance helicopter.

During this tour in Vietnam, 1st Lieut. Dwight C. Cheek became a highly decorated Air Calvary soldier being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in aerial flight and two Bronze Stars and 18 Air Medals.

This heavy flow and salty U.S. flag is believed to be the Air Base flag of the 1st Squadron, 4th Calvary Regiment, 1st Infantry Division at Dĩ An Base Camp (also known as Dĩ An Army Airfield or Song Than Base Camp) located just northeast of Saigon in southern Vietnam. It was here where the 1st Infantry Division had its headquarters at Dĩ An from February 1966 until September 1967 and November 1969 until April 1970.

Throughout the Vietnam War, the troopers of the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment participated in numerous battles and operations including; Operation Niagara, Operation Cedar Falls, Operation Williston, Operation Tucson-Delta, Operation Junction City, Operation Manhattan, Operation Shenandoah II (where Troop C handed the VC one of their heaviest defeats of the war, the Tet Offensive, and many more in numerous small villages along the Cambodia-South Vietnam border, and throughout South Vietnam. Meanwhile, Troop D provided helicopter support for the 1st Infantry Division and acted as air cavalry, a new concept in the Army. The 1st Squadron participated in eleven campaigns of the Vietnam War from 20 October 1965 to 5 February 1970. The 1st Squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its heroism in Binh Long Province and a Valorous Unit Award for Binh Doung Province. Troop A, 1st Squadron received a Valorous Unit Award for its actions at the battle of Ap Bau Bang.

Full History of the 1st Squadron:

1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry (1-4 Cavalry, popularly called "Quarterhorse") was assigned to be the divisional reconnaissance squadron of the 1st Infantry Division based at Di An. It arrived at Vung Tau on 7 October 1965, making it the first element of the 4th Cavalry to deploy to Vietnam. Commanded by LTC Paul M. Fisher, the Squadron was ready for action. On 12 November 1965, 1-4 Cavalry received its baptism by fire in the Vietnam War when Troop A, attached to 2-2 Infantry, engaged a VC regiment in the village of Bau Bang. Three enemy probing attacks were thrown back, and on the fourth charge, .50 caliber machine-gun fire broke up their assault and the enemy retreated, leaving 146 dead. On 24 February 1966, Troop B fought a stiff skirmish with the VC and repulsed the enemy. In April 1966, LTC Fisher became the executive officer of the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, and his replacement was LTC Leonard L. Lewane. LTC Lewane led the squadron in several operations in conjunction with other elements of the 1st Infantry Division, including Operations Birmingham, El Paso, and Shenandoah.

On 8 June 1966, during Operation El Paso II, Troop A, en route to An Loc, was ambushed by the VC 272nd Regiment along Route 13. The battle lasted 5 hours and resulted in 14 US and 19 South Vietnamese killed. VC losses were 105 dead (body count) and it was estimated that the bodies of a further 200+ were removed. For their courage, Troop A was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. On 30 June 1966, HQ, Troops B, C, D and C Company 2-18 Infantry engaged the VC 271st Regiment while conducting reconnaissance and managed to kill 300 VC during the seven-hour battle. On 9 July, 1-4 Cav troopers engaged the enemy again in the Battle of Minh Thanh Road and killed 250 VC. For these three engagements, the squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

Throughout the Vietnam War, the troopers of 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment participated in numerous battle and operations including; Operation Niagara, Operation Cedar Falls, Operation Williston, Operation Tucson-Delta, Operation Junction City, Operation Manhattan, Operation Shenandoah II (where Troop C handed the VC one of their heaviest defeats of the war, the Tet Offensive, and many more in numerous small villages along the Cambodia-South Vietnam border, and throughout South Vietnam. Meanwhile, Troop D provided helicopter support for the 1st Infantry Division, and acted as air cavalry, a new concept in the Army. The 1st Squadron participated in eleven campaigns of the Vietnam War from 20 October 1965 to 5 February 1970. The 1st Squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its heroism in Binh Long Province as well as a Valorous Unit Award for Binh Doung Province. Troop A, 1st Squadron received a Valorous Unit Award for its actions at the battle of Ap Bau Bang.