Organized in 1833, the First
Regiment of Dragoons has served boldly in almost every war fought by this
country. During the Cold War, 1/1 Cav would continue its fine tradition
of service by serving on the Frontier of Freedom from 1978 - 1990. As the
divisional cavalry squadron for the 1st Armored Division, the Squadron was
placed under the operational control of the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment
for border operations. Conducting its operations out of Camp Pitman, the
Black Hawks fanned out along 113 kilometers of border keeping its eye on the enemy on
the other side of the East German and Czechoslovakian border. The Squadron, though, was no stranger to the
border. It was part of the 15th Constabulary that patrolled the zonal
borders of occupied Germany after WWII.
Camp Pitman 1979
- photo Terrence A. Gardner
Distinctive Badge: An orange eight pointed star charged with a black hawk standing on a gold belt with gold Dragoon buckle and inscribed Animo et Fide in gold letters. Organized as the Regiment of United States Dragoons, many of the unit's officers and men came from the Battalion of Mounted Rangers which had taken part in the Black Hawk War, shown by the crest. The color of the Dragoons was Dragoon Yellow (Orange-Yellow), shown by the color of the shield and the dragon is in illusion to the name Dragoons. The gold eight-pointed star on encircling belt was the insignia of the Dragoons until 1851.