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US Paratrooper Ranger - US Airborne - United States Army

Original Patch - Casper Platoon - 173rd Airborne - Casper The Ghost

Patch - 75th Infantry Regiment - Long Range Recon Patrol - LRRP

Measures - 4 x 3 inches (10 x 7.5 cms)

The "Casper Platoon" was a specialized unit that served within the 173rd Airborne Brigade, a highly decorated U.S. Army unit. The 173rd Airborne Brigade was an elite airborne infantry brigade known for its combat effectiveness and operational versatility.

The Casper Platoon was a nickname given to a unique and unconventional group of soldiers within the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Their primary mission was to provide reconnaissance and counterinsurgency support in the dense and challenging terrain of the Vietnam War. The platoon was officially designated as the 173rd Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Detachment, but it became known as "Casper" due to their radio call sign "Casper Six Actual."

Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRPs) were small, highly trained teams of soldiers tasked with gathering intelligence, conducting surveillance, and performing target acquisition deep behind enemy lines. These patrols were often sent into enemy-controlled territory to collect critical information about enemy movements, positions, and intentions. LRRPs operated stealthily, avoiding contact with the enemy whenever possible, and relaying vital information to their parent units.

US RANGER – United States Ranger – LRRP

On 1 February 1969, as part of the U.S. Army Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS), all U.S. Army Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) units were reorganized as the 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger).

Fifteen Ranger companies were formed from reconnaissance units in Europe and Vietnam with lineage to Merrill's Marauders.

The companies were designated C through I and K through P.

There was no "J" Ranger Company. This was due to the newly formed J company arriving from Hawaii not trained to the level required (trained as an Airmobile, Helicopter Insertion Unit and not even Airborne trained). J company, Juliet company arrived patched up as Rangers but were soon dispersed to other unit.

Whilst some believe that the non-existence of J has to do with possible confusion with typed paperwork and I (india) company, this is not correct. (This would apply to any number of lettered companies and is why we use, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Juliett, India etc.

Companies A and B were kept stateside as a strategic reserve in case they were needed overseas in Europe or the Americas. Company O, 82^nd Airborne on deployment back to the USA in 1969 deployed to Alaska and became known as the ‘Artic Rangers’.

The Ranger companies were composed of small, heavily armed long range reconnaissance teams that patrolled deep in enemy-held territory.

Each independent company was attached to a division or separate brigade and acted as the eyes and ears of those units.

Rangers collected intelligence, discovered enemy troop locations, surveilled trails and enemy hot spots, directed artillery and air strikes, did bombing damage assessment, performed ambushes, and sniper attacks. Additionally, Rangers attempted recovering prisoners of war, captured enemy soldiers for interrogation, tapped the wire communications of the North Vietnam Army and the National Liberation Front for South Vietnam (Vietcong) on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and mined enemy trails and roads.

The Ranger Creed

(Lone Survivor)

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.

Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move farther, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be. One-hundred-percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the Lone survivor.

Rangers lead the way!

173rd Airborne Brigade - United States Army

Elite Airborne Paratroopers - Operation Junction City

Operation Junction City

Operation Junction City was an 82-day military operation conducted by United States and ARVN forces.

The Operation commenced on 22 February 1967.

It was the largest U.S. airborne operation since Operation Varsity in March 1945, the only major airborne operation of the Vietnam War, and one of the largest U.S. operations of the war.

The operation was named after Junction City, Kansas, home of the operation's commanding officer.

The stated aim of the almost three-month engagement involving the equivalent of nearly three divisions of U.S. troops was to locate the elusive 'headquarters' of the Communist uprising in South Vietnam, the Central Office of South Vietnam (COSVN).

By some accounts of U.S. analysts at the time, such a headquarters was believed to be almost a "mini-Pentagon," complete with typists, file cabinets, and staff workers possibly guarded by layers of bureaucracy. In truth, after the end of the war, the actual headquarters was revealed by Viet Cong (VC) archives to be a small and mobile group of people, often sheltering in ad hoc facilities and at one point escaping an errant bombing by some hundreds of meters.

Junction City's grand tactical plan was a "hammer and anvil" tactic, whereupon airborne forces would "flush out" the VC headquarters, sending them to retreat against a prepared "anvil" of other forces.

The U.S. forces included most of the 1st Infantry Division and the 25th Infantry Division including the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, the airborne troops of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and large armored elements of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (11th ACR).

Although the objective of the Operation was never achieved it was still considered a success by Allied Forces.

Results of the battle as claimed by US Forces was - Allied Forces sustained, 282 killed, 1576 wounded,3 tanks destroyed, 21 AFVs destroyed, 5 howitzers destroyed and 11 trucks destroyed.

The Viet Cong claimed considerably different results of, 13,500 U.S./ARVN Killed or Wounded, 800 armored vehicles destroyed, 119 howitzers destroyed.

The Viet Cong released no figures on their own losses with the US claiming they had killed more that 2,700 Viet Cong.

Both the Viet Cong and the United States claimed Operation Junction City as a Victory.

The Viet Cong adopted the name Operation Junction City for their part in the battle (The only time they did this during the war and in April 1967 awarded a Badge to participants of the campaign, the only badge they ever issued in English. The badge is bannered across the top ‘Chien Thang’ – Triumph.)

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