Courtesy of Don Snedeker

All-Volunteer Army Assessment and Readiness 1978 . From the Bryan -College Station   Eagle  (Texas) , September 12,  1979

In 1979, the US Army was six years into its post -draft experiment with an all -volunteer  force. It had many supporters and detractors. These two Blackhorse Troopers were  volunteers who raised their hands to serve Uncle Sam. Both said they wanted to serve,  then go back home and go to school. But, both also said that they were doing important  work along the Frontier of Freedom. Colonel Bob Sunell, the 48th Colonel of the  Regiment, is quoted as saying they were among the best Troopers he had ever led.

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In 1986, following a Commander -in-Chief’s holiday tradition, President Ronald Reagan  made a Christmas Day call to Blackhorse Trooper SP4 Michael Calvert.  Daily  Oklahoman , December  25, 1986)

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In the early summer of 1924, F Troop, 11th United States Cavalry rode the train from  the Presidio of Monterey, California to Fort Lewis, Washington, to help train National  Guard soldiers and participate in annual maneuvers. While there, they participated i n a  number  of local activities, including parades and state and county fairs. The attached  photo is of the F Troop 1st Sergeant, A. H. Nowell.

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From 1906 to 1908, 2nd and 3rd Squadrons  were deployed to Cuba to quell a growing  rebellion. The attached photo is of 3rd Squadron Troopers from 1907.

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Vietnam Veterans Reunite After 58 years, Recalling the  Daring Rescue That Defied Orders 

Two Articles  About  our Regiment in Vietnam
Dave Mathis

The 409th Radio Research Detachment, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, sometimes is shown as the 409 RRD or 409 RRU. “Radio Research” was used as the cover designation for the U.S. Army Security Agency (ASA) units during the Vietnam conflict.

The 409th was a direct support unit (DSU) of the regiment, and it had a primary mission of Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Communications Security (COMSEC). COMINT included radio communication intercepts and direction finding; COMSEC involved monitoring and advising the supported command on proper radio procedures.

COMSEC increased in importance after the elements of the 1st Infantry Division discovered a VC/NVA radio intercept unit on December 20, 1969 in an underground complex within the Michelin Rubber Plantation. Thirteen members of the Technical Reconnaissance Unit A-3 were captured, along with U.S. and ChiCom radio equipment and detailed logs of over 2,000 intercepted transmissions. The complex also contained booklets each with communications intelligence on area U.S. units — including the 11th ACR.

The 409th RRD operated out of ACAVs that were internally upgraded to support classified radios and encryption equipment. A secure radio teletype track and an Airborne Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) monitoring track were deployed with the regiment’s forward headquarters, and intercept tracks were deployed with the squadrons. 409th RRD tracks were the first Radio Research (ASA) units to enter Cambodia during the 1970 incursion.

History of the ASA

The ASA was formed on September 15, 1945; it replaced the Signal Corps’ Signal Security Agency. To coordinate U.S. military* efforts in communications and electronic intelligence, the Armed Forces Security Agency (AFSA) was formed in May 1949. It would later be replaced by the newly created National Security Agency in November 1952.

On May 13, 1961, elements of the first ASA unit landed at Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base, Saigon as the 3rd Radio Research Unit. Their arrival marked the first time an entire Army unit was deployed to Vietnam — four years in advance of major ground combat troops; previously, only individual advisors were assigned. Radio Research (ASA) units continued operations in Vietnam until March 1973.

Initial 3rd RRU personnel were required to carry U.S. passports and wear civilian clothing. If asked, they were to indicate that they were military advisors attached to the Military Assistance Advisory Group – Vietnam (MAAG-V). Medical Records were stamped with “If injured or killed in combat, report as training accident in the Philippines.“

On December 22, 1961, Specialist 4th Class James T. Davis, who was on a short-range radio direction-finding mission, was KIA in an ambush near Cau Xang. He’s recognized as the first combat casualty of the Vietnam conflict. The 3rd RRU’s facility at Tan Son Nhut was soon dedicated in his memory as “Davis Station.” ASA would lose 64 KIA of the 6,000 ASA soldiers deployed to Vietnam. The 409th lost two: 1st Lt. John F. Cochrane (October 24, 1966) and SP5 Harry J. Colon (June 21, 1969).

As U.S. involvement increased, the 3rd RRU was replaced by the 509th Radio Research Group in 1965. The 509th consisted of three battalions. The 303rd and 313th administered the direct support units attached to infantry, cavalry, and special forces units; and the 224th coordinated the aviation units primarily responsible for ARDF.

Similarly to the Specialist ranks above E4, ASA no longer exists. On January 1, 1977, ASA merged with the Military Intelligence branch to become the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command.

References for the above article are mainly from published public material. The primary sources are listed below, both of which provide additional details of the Army Security Agency activities in the Republic of Vietnam.

• Unlikely Warriors – The Army Security Agency’s Secret War in Vietnam 1961 -1973. Lonnie M. Long & Gary B. Blackburn – iUniverse; 1st edition (May 14, 2013).

• The Most Secret War: Army Signals Intelligence in Vietnam. James L. Gilbert – Military History Office, US Army Intelligence and Security Command (January 1, 2006).

* U.S. military: Army Security Agency, Naval Security Group, Air Force Security Squadron

David W. Mathis,
409th RRD (ASA)
July 1968 – May 1970

Do you have items of interest that are related to the Blackhorse? Please send them to Clint Ancker, Director of Communications, at banditsix@aol.com.