1-61 Cavalry (RSTA)
"Currahee Cav"
On August 16th, 2004 the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment was activated as part of the 506th RCT, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY. The activation was part of the Army's transformation towards a modular force.
The 61st Cavalry traces its lineage to the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion. The 601st was activated August 19, 1941 and deployed to England on August 2, 1942.In North Africa, the Battalion participated in the battles of Ousseltia Valley, Sbeitla, Kasserine Pass, El Guettar (for which it was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for destroying 37 tanks in 24 hours) and Mateur.
The Battalion conducted its first amphibious assault at Salerno on September 9, 1943, with the 36th Infantry Division and 1st Ranger Battalion. It fought through Salerno until September 30, 1943. The 601st conducted its second amphibious assault at Anzio Beachhead where they destroyed 42 enemy tanks and countless enemy personnel.
In Southern France, SSG Clyde Choate of C Co, 601st was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions near the town of Bruyeres, France on 25 October 1944. During the 16-day battle at Colmar, the Battalion succeeded in destroying 18 enemy tanks and dozens of enemy fortifications. It was during this battle that Audie Murphy earned the Medal of Honor by single-handedly defeating a German attack atop a 601st M10 Tank Destroyer.
During the latter days of the German campaign, the 601st Reconnaissance Company ranged far ahead of the advancing U.S. forces. It helped keep the disorganized remnants of the German army within the allied zone of advance from consolidating and re-organizing. The battalion was deactivated after World War II.
