December 6, 1967
'K' Troop
Restores
Tradition
WITH 11th ARMD CAV,
Vietnam - The K Troop "Bandits" of the 3d Sqdn, 11th Armd Cav Regt, are
dressing in the true tradition of the old cavalry, dating back to the days when the
Blackhorse troopers rode horse, rather than the armored assault vehicles of today.
The new look is a black bandana with a red
"K" sewn on one corner. Although the color and insignia of the new bandana
differs from the yellow ones worn by the old cavalry units, their basic usefulness has
remained the same.
The old horse soldiers of the wild west were
constantly plagued by the dust and heat of the desert plains. The men pulled the
bandanas over their noses and mouths to keep out the dust. They also soaked them in
water and tied them around their foreheads to help fight the heat.
THE DRY SEASON in Vietnam created the same
problem for the Blackhorse troopers.
Since the ARVN used bandana to their
protection and bandana were standard issue back in the old cavalry outfits, Capt. William
M. Boice, K troop commander, felt the idea was justified. He also felt they would be
a morale factor, distinguishing the K troopers from the others within the 11th Cav.
Boice wrote home to his mother and asked her
to obtain 200 black bandanas. She did and sewed a red "K" on each one
besides. The new bandana are now worn by the K trooper, both in base camp and on
operations.
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