13th AVIATION BATTALION
HERALDIC ITEMS
 
 
 
DISTINCTIVE
INSIGNIA

Description:
A silver distinctive insignia consisting of a winged sword in front of an equilateral triangle with the base of the triangle divided vertically throughout by a wide blue bar, with two areas on each side, the upper portion yellow and the lower portion red, all above a scroll bearing the inscription "Shield of the Mekong" in blue letters.

Symbolism:
The winged sword refers to the combat mission of the battalion.  The equilateral triangle (or delta) alludes to the Mekong river delta, Vietnam, the area where the organization served, and also relates to the motto "Shield of the Mekong." The colors blue, red, and yellow symbolize the three basic combat branches incorporated in airmobile warfare: Infantry (highly mobile ground troops delivered to their objective by air), Artillery (aerial rockets and grenades, heavy firepower delivered from the air)-, and Cavalry (speed and mobility).  The vertical winged sword and the three colors also allude to "13," the battalion's numeral designation.  The blue bar further refers to the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the organization.
 
 

LINEAGE AND HONORS
 

RA (Inactive)
Lineage:                                                                                                           (Ist Aviation Group)
Constituted 4 August 1964 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters
Detachment, 13 Aviation Battalion.  Activated 5 August 1964 at Fort Brag, North
Carolina.  Reorganized and redesignated 1 December 1968 as Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, 13th Aviation Battalion.  Inactivated 15 October 1979 at Fort
Hood, Texas.

Campaign Participation Credit

Vietnam
Advisory
Defense
Counteroffensive
Counteroffensive, Phase 11
Counteroffensive, Phase III
Tet Counteroffensive
Counteroffensive, Phase IV
Counteroffensive, Phase V
Counteroffensive, Phase VI
Tet 69/Counteroffensive
Summer-Fall 1969
Winter-Spring 1970
Sanctuary Counteroffensive
Counteroffensive, Phase VII
Consolidation I
Consolidation II
Cease Fire
 
 

DECORATIONS
 
 

Presidential Unit Citation (Army) Streamer embroidered CHUONG THIEN PROVINCE (Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 13th Aviation Battalion, cited; DA GO 45, 1969)

Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered CHUONG THIEN PROVINCE (13th Aviation Battalion cited; DA GO 34, 1966)

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered Vietnam 1966 (13th Aviation Battalion cited; DA GO 46, 1968)

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM
1966-1967 (Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 13th Aviation Battalion, cited;
DA GO 22, 1968)

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1968 (13th Aviation Battalion cited; DA GO 21, 1969)

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM
1969-1970 (Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 13 Aviation Battalion, cited; DA
GO 52, 1971, and DA GO 6, 1974)

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM
1970-1972 (Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 13th Aviation Battalion, cited; DA
GO 6, 1974)

                                                                       

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