Prior to 1969, US Armored Cavalry units in Vietnam consisted of M-48 Patton tanks and M-113 APC's (ACAV's). Beginning in 1969, US Cavalry Squadrons, and the only Regiment in Vietnam, the 11th ACR, began exchanging their M-48's for the BRAND NEW M-551 Sheridan light tank (Officially titled the Armored Airborne Reconnaissance Assault Vehicle). Both the M-48 & M-551 took four crewmen to operate (Tank Commander, Driver, Loader, and gunner), however in Vietnam, we often operated with only three crewman; TC, Loader, and Driver. The TC could fire the gun from his TC over-ride handle. Armored Cavalry in Vietnam consisted of M-551 Sheridan Tanks and M-113 ACAV's (Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles). The primary mission of cavalry was reconnaissance and security. Reconnaissance in the forms of areas and roads; security in the forms of "advanced guard", "flank security", "rear guard" actions. 3 or 4 Troops made up a Cav Squadron. 3 or 4 Cavalry Sqd's made up a Regiment. The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment was the ONLY full regiment in country. All other Armored Cav units were "Squadrons", minus the 4/12 Cav; they were the ONLY TROOP in country ("A" Troop). Mechanized Infantry were NEW in Vietnam. The closest thing to Vietnam's Mech Infantry was probably WWII's "Half-Tracks". The Mechanized Infantry Units in Vietnam were nothing more than "Mounted Infantry." They were grunts that rode into battle on their APC's/ACAV's. Firing their .50 caliber machinguns & attached M-60 machinguns, then dismounting from their "tracks" (slang for tanks or APC's/ACAV's), and fighting on foot. During AIRMOBILE assaults (helicopter assaults) the drivers and .50 gunners stayed with the "tracks" and the rest of the men would wait for the "choppers" to pick them up for an "airmobile" operation. Then the tracks would drive to were the dismounted grunts had helicoptered into and pick them up when they were finished "sweeping" or fighting. Mechanized Infantry Battalions had NO tanks in their units. Armored Cavalry Squadrons had BOTH tanks & ACAV's (APC's) in their Squadrons; Armor Battalions (Tank Battalions) had M-113 APC's in their HHC Company only, the letter companies of A, B, C, in the armor battalion were strictly M-48 Patton tanks, 5 tanks per platoon, 17 tanks per company. A Battalion was equal to a Squadron. A "Troop" was equal to a "Company", and a "Regiment" was equal to a "Brigade."
For WW2: Armored Infantry Divisions were equiped with half-tracks. Regular Infantry Divisions walked (or trucked). During the Vietnam War those Armored Infantry Divisions gave way to the new MECHANIZED INFANTRY DIVISIONS, equipped with M-113 APC/ACAV (Armored Personnel Carriers/Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles). Only one US Army Mechanized Infantry Division was in Vietnam (and only it's 1st Brigade); the 5th Mechanized Infantry Division (Red Diamond Patch). Regular Infantry Divisions in Vietnam were called "Straight Legs", "Straight" meaning...straight foot soldiering.
The cavalry is on horses, while the infantry are on foot.
US Army "Official" Mechanized Infantry (example: 5th Infantry Div Mechanized) didn't exist prior to Vietnam. Neither did Airmobile Infantry (example: 1st Air Cav Div). During the Viet War there were 4 types of US Army Infantry (not counting SF/Rangers/or other special types of men...LRRPS, ARPS, etc.): Infantry; Mechanized Infantry, Airborne, and Airmobile. In Vietnam, the term "Leg" was slang for an infantrymen (or a leg grunt)...because that's all he had...no tank! No ACAV! Just a cloth uniform to stop the bullets. Since he had no ACAV nor tank, he was "straight" leg. 1. Infantry-(straight foot soldier (traditionally always the draftee-cannon fodder), the grunt, moves by foot, chopper, boat, truck, anyway he can). 2. Airborne-same as above, only "jump" qualified, he's the paratrooper. 3. Airmobile-same as #1, but does more flying in helicopters to get where he's going. 4. Mechanized-the ultimate grunt (but not jump qualified): Fights mounted like a light tank from his M113 ACAV (Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle). Can dismount to finish the slaughter with rifle and bayonet; can be deployed by chopper just like his airmobile brothers...just park the ACAVs and go. Can deploy on riverine boats...again just park the ACAVs and go (always leaving the .50 gunner/TC and driver with the tracks/slang for M113). The mech men could do everything the above grunts could do, just not parachute from a plane.
For cavalry I'd say carbines of long rifles the infantry was using.
The history of the 85th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron can be found at www.5ad.org
For WW2: Armored Infantry Divisions were equiped with half-tracks. Regular Infantry Divisions walked (or trucked). During the Vietnam War those Armored Infantry Divisions gave way to the new MECHANIZED INFANTRY DIVISIONS, equipped with M-113 APC/ACAV (Armored Personnel Carriers/Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles). Only one US Army Mechanized Infantry Division was in Vietnam (and only it's 1st Brigade); the 5th Mechanized Infantry Division (Red Diamond Patch). Regular Infantry Divisions in Vietnam were called "Straight Legs", "Straight" meaning...straight foot soldiering.
Cavalry is on horseback and infantry is on their feet.
The cavalry is on horses, while the infantry are on foot.
The 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) was assigned to the 4th Armored Division during WW 2. Richard V. Horrell WW 2 Connections.com
An armored or air cavalry unit is referred to as a ___________.
Originally, back at the turn of the 20th century, when automobiles were available in the US military (like about 1914), any units with "automobiles" (cars) were considered mechanized. When WWII approached in the 1930's, armies thru-out the world which had any type of "automobile", whether armored, wheeled, or tracked, was referred to as "mechanized" or "motorized." Then came the Vietnam War; and the US Army actually fielded "Mechanized Infantry" brigades (one, the 1st Bde), and about ten mech inf battalions in Vietnam. This was in addition to Armored Cavalry and Armor squadrons and battalions already in country. 1. Armored Cavalry Squadrons in Vietnam were armed with M551 Sheridan tanks and M113 APC/ACAVs (Armored Personnel Carrier/Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle). Mission: Reconnaissance/Security 2. Armor Battalions in Vietnam were armed with M48A3 Patton 90mm gun medium tanks. Mission: To close with the enemy by firepower, maneuver, and shook action; as well as to provide security as needed. 3. Mechanized Infantry battalions in Vietnam were equipped with the M113 APC/ACAV. Mission: Close with the enemy by fire and maneuver and destroy him. However; the mech inf evolved in Vietnam with the advent of the M113 ACAV, now the grunt also fought mounted...on his "aluminum horse" (the M113 is all aluminum). With the addition of gun shields to the one .50 & two M60 machineguns, mechanized infantrymen often rode mounted and fired their wpns from the tracks (slang for tracked armored vehicles). Today's Bradley Fighting Vehicle is the successor to the Vietnam era ACAVs.
Usually the infantry but in some cases the cavalry
Cavalry/Infantry/DragoonCavalry rides to the battle and fights mounted. Traditionally on horseback, but motorized with humvees and helicopters nowdays.Infantry walks to the battle and fights on foot. But today, they may get to the front by truck, airplane, etc.Dragoons rode to the front but fought on foot. So today's infantry are really dragoons, but that term has disappeared.
The tank is the obvious answer here, but did you know that the first armored personnel carrier (callled the Pig) was also introduced in WW1? Truck transport, artillery tractors, and armored cars were introduced in the early 1900's before the war.
the infantry
The three main parts of the Norman army were infantry, cavalry, and archers. The infantry was made up of foot soldiers armed with swords and shields. The cavalry comprised knights on horseback, heavily armored and wielding lances. Archers provided ranged support with their bows and arrows.
Currently the US Army has ten divisions. 1st Armored, 1st Cavalry, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Infantry, 10th Mountain, 25th Infantry and the 82nd and 101st Airborne. And there are five independent brigades.