Photo courtesy of retired Air Cav pilot Dan Carbone, who
served in Korea, Germany, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Website: http://www.cavhooah.com
The tradition of the Cav Hat began in the early days before the Vietnam War. The 11th Air Assault Division cavalry scout pilots were looking to distinguish themselves from other troops when they adopted the Model 1876 campaign hat for wear. They felt a need to return to the traditions of the Cavalry so long forgotten. LTC John B. Stockton, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 17th Cavalry Regiment, is given credit for establishing the tradition of wearing the Cavalry Stetson, much to the chagrin of the Division command group. By the time the 11th Air Assault Division was redesignated the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) the members of his unit, the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, were wearing the hat.
1/9th Commanding Officers, 1970
Major Galen Rosher (Charlie Troop CO) front row far right
Nate Shafer, Scouts door gunner 1970 Pete Guthrie, Blues Plt Ldr 1968-69 & Pat Bieneman, Blue India, 1968-69
These men served in Vietnam with Charlie Troop 1/9th, 1st Air Cavalry Division .
The Cav Stetsons came out in full force for the Zit 990 Dedication Ceremony that was held on May 19, 2012 at the Mott’s Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio.
Blues Mini Reunion (September 2011) hosted by Pat Bieneman and his wife Carol (front row holding saber)
Robert Duvall from “Apocalypse Now” (1979)
Where can I get a cavalry hat and how much are they? Richardturner517@yahoo.com. I was in the 545th military police co., phuoc vinh (camp gorvad), october 1970-march 1971.
If you Google “Stetson Cavalry Hat”, you will find many places that sell them. They run around $165…
God bless you guys: as a Pathfinder, you got me down safely even under fire, and more importantly, extracted my butt just as efficiently! Forever thankful for an Air Medal only – no Purple Hearts!