James R. Hain (October 7, 1945 – March 11, 2025) age 79, of Buffalo, New York passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. He was a veteran of the 11th ACR in Vietnam. |
Kenneth Matlock Derr (July 17, 1950 – September 19, 2020), 70, of Stafford, Virginia passed away at Mary Washington Hospital on Saturday, September 19, 2020. He served with the Regiment in Vietnam in the early 70s and for three years in Germany. |
Justin Wayne Coursey — devoted husband, loving father, proud soldier, and loyal friend — passed away, leaving behind a lifetime of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. To me, he was more than a husband; he was my best friend, my love, and my life. Born on October 12, 1987, on the island of Oahu in Honolulu, Hawaii, Justin was a free spirit and a heart full of love — he lived life without holding back, always ready to share a laugh, lend a hand, or make someone’s day a little brighter. He proudly served in the United States Army as a Cavalry Scout, in 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, achieving the rank of Private First Class. Serving his country was one of his greatest honors, and he carried that pride into every part of his life with humility, strength, and courage. Above all, Justin was a fantastic father to his sons, Jaymes Wyatt (14) and Abel Michael. With Jaymes, he shared laughter, adventures, and life lessons, always encouraging him to follow his passions and guiding him with patience and love — helping shape him into the young man he is becoming. With Abel, he expressed a tenderness and warmth that made every moment together feel special — playful, reassuring, and full of joy. He had a remarkable ability to make each of his boys feel uniquely loved and supported, leaving memories they will treasure forever. Justin is survived by his wife, Rachel Coursey; his son, Jaymes Wyatt Coursey; his mother; and his sister. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Neil Coursey; his son, Abel Michael Coursey; one brother; and his dear friend, James Andrew “Drew” Mason. Forever loved. Forever missed. Never forgotten. |
Blackhorse History Corner |
50 Photographs of the Regiment in Vietnam |
In 1960 at the height of the Cold War in Europe, Radio Free Europe (RFE) — which broadcast news and cultural programming to countries behind the Iron Curtain — sponsored a tour of its facilities in Munich, as well as a visit to Berlin and a day with the 11th Armored Cavalry along the West German-Czechoslovakian border. The tour included 60 civilians from across the United States, such as politicians, journalists, businessmen, judges, and ordinary citizens. This photo from the November 24, 1960 Port Huron Times Herald (Michigan) shows a Blackhorse Trooper escorting a journalist at the border as she is being interviewed by RFE. |
In 1968, the U.S. Postal Service was the normal way of communicating between Blackhorse Troopers in Vietnam and their families “back in The World.” It generally took a letter 7-10 days to get from the time you wrote it to your sweetheart back home reading it. If the monsoon rain didn’t make it unreadable. If you got it on the back-haul Huey on time. If the mail clerk wasn’t on KP. If, if, if. So your answer to the question about what to do regarding the neighbor’s dog pooping in your yard went unanswered for two weeks or more. So, the empowered women of the 1960s took things into their own hands, as reported in the attached article from the February 24, 1968 edition of the Portland, Maine Evening Express. The wife of L Troop’s Captain Donald Derrah is shown on the left of the photo. |
Evening Express, Portland, Maine, Sat, Feb 24, 1968, Page 5 |
Perry Griffith was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 11th U.S. Cavalry, stationed at the Presidio of Monterey of California, in 1937. A couple of years later, he joined the Army Air Corps and retired as a Major General from the U.S. Air Force. He was quite a horseman and won numerous prizes in horse shows (see photo with Coleen his horse). He was also a member of the Regimental Polo Team that won the Army championship several years in a row. In the accompanying article, he describes how polo prepared the young Cavalrymen for combat. |
Lt. Perry B. Griffith with his horse, Colleen |
A Note from MSG (Ret.) Robert Leonard |
I had the honor to participate in a ceremony on National POW/MIA Day, September 19. After the ceremony, I took the opportunity to visit the Blackhorse Memorial at the Shrine of Remembrance in Colorado Springs. The memorial is a testament to the honor, respect and love of the Regiment held by the city and nation. |
Robert Leonard MSG (Ret.)
M CO 3/11 ACR
“Maulers” 1990-1993 |
Two Songs from Blackhorse Veteran Bill Mahon! |
Blackhorse Veteran Looking to Make Contact |
I am looking for any contact information on Eric McMichael. We went through WOFT together and then served in the 11th ACR. He left early after being shot down and badly burned. T hank you.
David
md11shinn@aol.com |
Blackhorse Stickers Draw Attention |
My brother, Captain Thomas A. McAdams, Commander of F Troop, 2/11 ACR, was KIA on February 28, 1969 while serving in the Blackhorse Regiment. I attended the reunion in Omaha and purchased 2 car stickers and 2 magnetic emblems. I recently gave that car to my daughter, along with the 2 stickers. (I moved the magnetic emblems to my new car.). Soon after receiving the car, another employee of her school district asked her why she had an 11ACR sticker. Within that same week, a parent approached and asked the same question. |
I had that car for 6 years and no one ever recognized the emblem. Most wanted to know why I had a Ferrari sticker on my car. I wish it had happened to me! |
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