Whats the difference between Armored Cavalry and Mechanized Infantry in Vietnam?

Answer 1

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."