This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSG Clyde Land (Renegade)
to remember
Kirby, Rance Albert, CPT.
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The 71st Assault Helicopter Company arrived in Vietnam in September 1964 and based at Bien Hoa (near Saigon). The 71st AHC were assigned to the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion of the 1st Aviation Brigade. In April 1967, the company moved from Bien Hoa to Chu Lai in I Corps and participated as a element of Task Force Oregon supporting the 196th Light Infantry Brigade and remained in Chu Lai until 1971. The 71st AHC continued to provide support for the 196th Light Infantry Brigade with its primary mission being to provide aviation support in the form of airlift of personnel, and gunship counter insurgency operations in the Republic of Vietnam in general support of Task Force Oregon who later in January of 1968 became the Americal Division. In March 1971 the unit moved temporarily to Quang Tri. At their initial briefing in Quang Tri the 71st AHC along with several other companies, the 161st AHC, 174th AHC and the 176th AHC from their battalion and the 101st Airborne Division were told they were going to support the largest operation in the history of the War in Vietnam participating in Operation Dewey Canyon II and Lam Son 719. 71st proudly led the way establishing the Traditions of Army Aviation and helped write the Bible on Air Assault. The unit stood down in September 1971. The 71st AHC was awarded three (3) Valorous Unit Awards.
The 71st was in Panama prior to serving in Vietnam. Coincidentally, when the colors of the 71st were sent to Vietnam, the assets of A Company, 501st Aviation Battalion (serving in Vietnam until September 1966), were transferred to the 71st. As you are aware, both units went on to serve in Germany.
In Vietnam, A/501 and the 71st both used the callsigns "Rattler (lift platoons) and Firebird (gun platoon)." Those callsigns originated with the 3rd Aviation Company, which was either deactivated or reassigned elsewhere, with assets to A/501 in Vietnam.
