Company D, 151st Rangers

Concept for U.S. Army's Elite Commandos Began in the Guard

By Retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 John W. Listman, Jr.

In the last couple of years Hollywood has produced two box-office smashes highlighting one this country's elite military commandos - the Army Ranger.

First with Saving Private Ryan and then in Black Hawk Down, the role of the ranger as a superbly trained and highly motivated member of a small team capable of operating behind enemy lines is well portrayed. Neither unit in these films, the 2nd Ranger Battalion in Ryan and B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Infantry (the Ranger regiment) in Black Hawk, have a Guard connection. However, the Guard is the birthplace of the Ranger concept.

This concept dates back to colonial Virginia, which was established in 1607 with one small fort on the James River. After two protracted Indian wars by 1650, the native threat disappeared in eastern Virginia.

But as settlers moved deeper into the colony, approaching the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Indians again menaced their homesteads. To give warning of hostile Indian movements toward settlements, the colonists established teams of experienced backwoodsman to patrol, or "range," between outposts looking for signs of danger. These men soon became known as "rangers."

As other English colonies were established, the use of these early rangers to patrol their frontiers was quickly adopted. This was especially true in the southern colonies. In 1739, Georgia organized the "Troop of Highland Rangers" to watch not only for Indian attack but also the real threat of a Spanish invasion from Florida.

By the outbreak of the French and Indian War in 1755 most colonies had small groups of rangers patrolling their western borders. A typical example is the rangers scouting for the Augusta County Regiment in the Shenandoah Valley. Their reports were forwarded to Lt. Col. George Washington who commanded the Virginia regiment tasked with protecting the Valley. Based upon their information, he moved troops to strengthen several forts, thus preventing Indian raids through the area.

Perhaps the most famous ranger unit of the war, "Rogers' Rangers," commanded by Maj. Robert Rogers, was not a militia organization though most of its members had prior militia service. Raised and paid for by the British Army, it not only patrolled to gather information, but also launched "hit-and-run" raids deep into enemy territory. Reconnaissance and raiding remain the duel missions of today's American ranger.

During the revolution, Washington, remembering how effective rangers can be, used skilled backwoodsmen from Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania organized by Col. Daniel Morgan into a "rifle corps" to perform many of the ranger functions without the title. As the war moved to the southern states, partisan groups led by Thomas Sumter and Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," also played the role of rangers.

By 1800, the American frontier had moved to the Mississippi River, with no need to patrol for enemy incursions. The American Army and state militias had no ranger-type organizations during the War of 1812. While some frontiersmen did scout and stage raids, these efforts were poorly coordinated and obtained little gain.

The next use of state-based rangers was not on American territory. One of the first acts passed by the new Republic of Texas in November 1835 was an ordinance establishing what would soon be known as the "Texas Rangers." During the period of the republic they were employed in the traditional ranger role of patrolling to gather information and to harass the Mexican Army moving through Texas. One group, Capt. George Kimball's "Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers," fought and died at the Alamo. Soon after Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836, the rangers were reassigned the task of patrolling the western areas of the country looking for raiding Comanches. During the Mexican-American War the Texas Rangers again scouted for the Army. After the war, with Texas now a state, the Army took over much of the frontier protection mission and the rangers moved into its law enforcement role.

The Civil War saw numerous companies using the name "ranger" in their designation. Units like "Hannon's Partisan Rangers" of the 53rd Alabama Volunteer Infantry were really just line companies with no traditional ranger function. Both armies, but especially the Confederates, used units such as Virginia's 43rd Battalion of Cavalry, known as "Mosby's Partisan Rangers," to scout and raid behind enemy lines.

Soon after the outbreak of the Philippine Insurrection in 1899, a special unit known as "Young's Scouts" was organized with men from the 1st North Dakota and 2nd Oregon Volunteer Infantry regiments. This group led the American Army on its march to capture the rebel capital. Along the way, 12 Scouts rushed to secure a vital bridge, putting about 300 enemy soldiers to flight. They then held off repeated counterattacks before being relieved. All 12 Guardsmen received the Medal of Honor for their determined attack and defense.

Due to the trench warfare being waged during World War I, no American ranger or scout-type units were organized. Aircraft with trained observers did much of the reconnaissance work. On occasions when ground intelligence was required, it was gathered by men selected from units in the immediate vicinity. These troops had no special training above that given to all American soldiers.

Unlike Britain's "Commandos," the United States had no existing scout-type units when it entered World War II. But in early 1942, Col. William Darby organized the 1st U.S. Ranger Battalion from Regular Army troops in England. The battalion was trained in scouting and hit-and-run raids by the Commandos. Starting in November 1942 the 1st battalion played an important role the invasion of North Africa. It was so successful that the Army decided to organize other ranger units.

As the 1st Rangers trained in England, the Guard's 34th Infantry Division organized a similar unit of about 200 men. Known as the "168th Commandos" it was organized from volunteers drawn from Iowa's 168th Infantry and Minnesota's 175th Field Artillery.

Commanded by Capt. Mark Tracy of the 168th, they underwent extensive training at the Commando Center at Inverary, Scotland. The unit's first action was in support of Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa Nov. 8, 1942. They rapidly captured the town of Sidi Ferruch, Algeria, and secured the road running to Algiers.

The 168th Commandos' next, and last, action was its attempt to capture the town of Bizerte, Tunisia. Just outside of the town a large German armored force attacked them. Though the unit carried no heavy weapons its men successfully repelled the enemy. With heavy losses, the unit could proceed no further so they withdrew back to the 34th.

Due to the increased need of manpower the 168th Commandos was disbanded and its men returned to their parent units. However, they proved that men from Guard organizations could produce effective, specialized, troops for units like the rangers.

Part of the planning for the Normandy invasion determined that several ranger battalions were required for special missions. Since the 1st Rangers and 168th Commandos left England in November 1942, the Army decided to raise additional ranger battalions in Britain. The only major American unit then stationed in-country was the Guard's 29th Infantry Division.

In December 1942 a call for volunteers to join the "29th Ranger Battalion" was issued. The battalion was activated on Dec. 20 at the division headquarters at Tidworth Barracks, England. Its commander was Maj. Randolph Millholland from the 115th Infantry. He was an excellent choice, having just completed the British Army's Battle School, which included exposure to the Commando program.

About 200 men fitting the stringent physical requirements of height and strength requirements volunteered for the battalion from Maryland's 115th and 175th Infantry and Virginia's 116th Infantry divisions. Consisting of only two companies, the battalion was soon increased to four companies and was given a small headquarters. About 500 men served in the 29th Rangers.

The battalion moved to the Commando Training Center where British instructors put the men through rigorous training. This consisted of forced marches and endurance exercises to build upper body strength. They were taught stealth tactics to approach enemy installations undetected.

Officers and NCOs were taught how to plan scouting and raid missions using hit- and-run tactics. After six weeks the men completed their basic ranger training and were awarded "29th Rangers" tabs by Millholland. Though the unit was not an airborne organization, the men were authorized to wear paratrooper jump boots as a sign of their elite status.

In March 1943, the battalion was attached to Lord Lovat's No. 4 Commando for more training where some of the men joined the Commandos on real operations. The rangers took part in three raids without suffering any losses.

In mid-summer the battalion rejoined the 29th Division and took part in Exercise Columbus. During this maneuver the 29th Rangers swung around the "enemy's" flank and struck into the heart of its rear area. Before being surrounded the battalion "destroyed" three support installations and captured a regimental headquarters. It received well-earned praise and the Army felt the battalion was ready to operate on its own.

While a ranger-only raid was being planned, Millholland and 18 of his men accompanied Lovet's Commandos on a raid to destroy a German radar site located on a Channel Island. They were instructed to knock out the radar and capture several prisoners for interrogation. The initial raid succeeded but all the Germans fought to the death so no POWs were captured. Millholland left behind his helmet marked "U.S. Ranger" so the Germans knew who was responsible.

A 100-ranger raid against German coastal guns in France was attempted twice during September, but bad weather in the channel forced the assault teams to abort each time. While waiting for fair weather, bad news came to the 29th Rangers; the battalion was to be disbanded. The Army decided to train new ranger units in America. After several appeals by Millholland the order to disband took effect on Oct. 18, 1943. The men returned to their former units, taking with them the knowledge gained by some of the best infantry training in the world. Starting with the D-Day landings these former rangers proved an invaluable asset as the allies fought their way into the heart of Germany.

Following World War II, no ranger-type units were organized again in the Guard until 1965 when the National Guard Bureau, received authority to organize an airborne battalion from Indiana's 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry, 38th Infantry Division. However in 1967, the battalion reverted back to line infantry with one exception: Company B, was redesignated as "Company D, "Long Range Patrol," 151st Infantry.

When the Army looked for units in 1968 to support the war in Vietnam, Company D was probably at the top of the list. Of the 204 Guardsmen called to active duty on May 13, all were airborne qualified and 97 percent had just finished training at the U.S. Army School of the America's Jungle Operations Center in Panama.

Soon after mobilization the unit moved to Fort Benning, Ga., for intensive training at the Army Ranger School. Several members attended a special radio school, which was to prove its value during their deployment. On Dec. 10, 1968 the 172 remaining Guardsmen, along with 32 Regular Army augmentees, deployed to Vietnam. Company D replaced Company F (Ranger), 51st Infantry, assigned to the II Field Force for security for Bein Hoa Air Base and Long Binh. Soon their camp was nicknamed "Camp Atterbury East" in humorous honor of the Indiana State Military Reservation. For the first 10 days members of Company F patrolled with men of Company D to pass along guidance from their experience.

The primary mission of the unit was reconnaissance and intelligence about the enemy. To do this the company was broken into teams numbering from five to eight men. Airlifted by helicopter to a remote location, a team would set up a base camp and then establish listening and observation posts. Others would conduct "roving" patrols. Those with special radio training maintained an open line with headquarters from the base camp.

Infrequently the team would be discovered and attacked. More often they actually set ambushes at the end of their mission, resulting in a fire fight with enemy troops. By this method vital documents and prisoners were brought back to enhance the intelligence picture.

In February 1969, the unit was redesignated "Company D, (Ranger), 151st Infantry." Because it was the only Army reserve-component ground maneuver unit deployed to Vietnam, Army leaders and other dignitaries gave glowing reports on the its dedicated service and ability to perform their missions with professionalism.

After 11 months in Vietnam, in November 1969, the men returned home to a joyous reception, not only from their families but by the governor and the state congressional delegation. Company D lost suffered two fatalities and had 100 men wounded. Nineteen members received the Silver Star and 174 the Bronze Star. The unit earned three campaign streamers for its guidon.

Today the Guard no longer has any ranger organizations. Company D's lineage is perpetuated by the "Long Range Surveillance Detachment, 151st Infantry," one of several such units in the Army Guard.

The Warhawk Battalion traces it’s rich heritage back before Indiana actually became a State. Born from the militia companies that mustered on the banks of the Ohio River in time of crisis, the battalion since has continually served with pride and distinction. Always there , ready to serve, exemplifying the true spirit of the citizen soldier.

The 151^st Regiment can traces it’s military activities back to the Indian Campaigns of the War of 1812, the Mexican War of 1846, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the Mexican Border Service. Militia men from Floyd, Clark, and Scott Counties volunteered to fight with General William Henry Harrison against the Indians, culminating in the bloody Battle of Tippecanoe. In that fight, the Regiment received it’s motto, "Wide Awake-Wide Awake". This spirit and commitment to community and nation led these pioneers away from their homes and families into harms way to defend the ideals and principles that define the organization today.

As times changed and Indiana became more civilized, Southeastern Indiana’s Citizen-Soldiers worked for peace, but prepared for war. When hostilities broke out with Mexico, First Regiment was ready. Mustered into Federal service in June 1847 at New Albany, IN, they fought at Vera Cruz and Buena Vista pushing back the border of Mexico and forging the shape of America.

With the fall of Fort Sumter, America found itself in the most tragic and bloody war of it’s short history. Once again, the regiment was mustered to preserve the freedom and values that we Hoosiers hold sacred. Gettysburg, Manassas, Chancellorsville, and Cold Harbor are just a few of the Battles that shook the nation, and the men of the First Indiana Volunteers were there under the leadership of men like Lew Wallace, fighting to preserve the Union.

As America healed from it’s wounds, First Indiana responded along with other Indiana Guardsmen when the nation called. Indiana was the first of any state to take the field during in the Spanish-American War and they also mobilized for service on the Mexican Border on the eve of World War One prepared to defend it’s nations interests.

On August 5th, 1917, First Indiana Infantry mustered for service for World War One and was officially designated the 151st Infantry. The men and officers of the regiment saw action and helped GEN Blackjack Pershing defeat the Kaiser and restore peace to the world.

Just over twenty years later, once again tyranny threatened peace and liberty in the world and America called. The men of 151st Infantry mobilized to train for the fight that they knew was coming. In 1944 the fight came. As part of the 38th Infantry Division, the Warhawk Battalion landed on the Philippines and for the next six months fought against fanatical Japanese resistance hacking out gain after gain at Battles like Zig-Zag Pass. The men of the 151st saw fierce fighting in New Guinea, Leyte, an Luzon. It was here that the 151st and 38th Division were nicknamed by General Douglas MacArthur, the "Avengers of Battan".

Two decades and several reorganizations later, the 151st found itself called upon to stop spread of communism in South East Asia. Company D (Rangers) 151st Infantry went to Vietnam to perform reconnaissance and intelligence gathering missions. Once again, the 151st distinguished itself in battle achieving an impressive combat record. On May 13, 1968, 12,234 Army National Guardsmen in 20 units from 17 states were mobilized for service during the Vietnam War. Eight units deployed to Vietnam and over 7,000 Army Guardsmen served in the war zone. Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry, Indiana Army National Guard arrived in Vietnam in December 1968. As part of the II Field Force, the Indiana Rangers were assigned reconnaissance and intelligence gathering missions. Operating deep in enemy territory, Ranger patrols engaged enemy units while conducting raids, ambushes and surveillance missions. "Delta Company" achieved an impressive combat record during its tour in Vietnam; unit members were awarded 510 medals for valor and service. The gallant record of Company D, 151st Infantry symbolizes the Army National Guard's performance in Vietnam.

Just over 7000 Army National Guardsmen served in the Vietnam War. Of these, only one unit would stay together from activation and serve in combat as a National Guard unit. Company D (RANGER) 151st Infantry (AIRBORNE), was the only National Guard Infantry unit to serve in Vietnam.

In November 1965, the Indiana National Guard's newly-formed, 1st Battalion (Airborne) 151st Infantry, and its parent 38th Infantry Division were members of the Selected Reserve Force (SRF). SRF units were to be among the first selected in the event of a wide-spread reserve call-up by the president. The 38th Infantry Division fully expected to be called to active duty, and the inclusion of an airborne battalion was thought to be highly valued. However, despite the Joint Chiefs of Staff's recommendation for reserve forces to be mobilized for service in Vietnam, the Department of Defense decided not to use them and no large-scale call-up of reservists ever materialized. As a result of the DOD's reorganization of the National Guard, in 1967, several National Guard Divisions were broken up and realigned. Although the 38th Infantry Division survived, it was forced to lose its coveted airborne infantry battalion. Indiana Adjutant General, MG John S. Anderson was able, however, to retain enough airborne qualified personnel to form two long range patrol (LRP) companies, under the auspices of the Military Department of Indiana (MDI). This resulted in the formation of Delta & Echo Companies (LRP), 151st Infantry (ABN). The assets of the two units were later used to form a single company; designated Company D. The company headquarters plus one platoon were based in Greenfield, Indiana, with two others stationed in Muncie, and Evansville, Indiana.

The war in Vietnam continued to escalate and so did resistance to the war at home. Several states began using the guard to control demonstrations, especially on college campuses. The future for Company D took an ominous turn with the North Korean seizure of the USS Pueblo and North Vietnam's "Tet" incursion into many cities and villages of South Vietnam. These events laid the political justification for D/151 and some 20,000 other National Guardsmen and Reservists to be activated. Quite unexpectedly, Company D was informed that summer camp training for 1968 would be held in March, at the Army's Jungle Warfare Training Center, in the Panama Canal Zone. Many of the men could not quite believe it when the cadre of the jungle school informed them that they were headed for Vietnam. Three weeks after achieving a 98 percent graduation rate in Panama, President Johnson activated the unit. On Monday, May 13, 1968, the same day that peace talks began in Paris, 8 officers, 1 warrant officer and 195 enlisted men departed the Indiana National Guard Headquarters at Stout Field, in Indianapolis, and convoyed in WWII-era trucks to Ft. Benning, Georgia.

GEN William Westmoreland, the recently appointed Army Chief of Staff, directed the United States Army Infantry School to provide the company with all available assets, and attached the company to the 5th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 197th Infantry Brigade, on Kelley Hill, for administration and logistical support. Upon arrival, the company began 26 weeks of intensive unit and individual training. All members of the unit were already airborne qualified, and after a brief administration period, the men of Company D attended a variety of Army schools. Many graduated from the Ranger, Pathfinder, Jump Master, RTO and other courses. During this period, the unit began to receive regular army (RA) and draftee (US) replacements to fill losses due to expirations of enlistment, training and security clearance failures, sole surviving sons, brothers and other men deemed unqualified for ranger service in Vietnam. After the company finished individual training, the Ranger School established a modified three-week ranger training program for the entire unit. Additionally, the company received training from the British and Australian SAS, at Eglin AFB, in advanced patrolling and tracking concepts. Company D was declared by the Infantry School as the best trained unit in its history. Just prior to deployment, the unit's commander, CPT Kenneth Himsel, was promoted to Major and sent to Vietnam as an individual replacement. His newly promoted brother, CPT Ronald Himsel, became Company D's commander. On 20 December 1968, an advance team left to set up the company's new home, Camp Atterbury (EAST), located adjacent to Camp Frenzell-Jones, in Long Binh. The compound was the former home of Battery B, 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery, and was secured to provide a base camp for D/151. On 28 December 1968, the remainder of the company departed Ft. Benning's Lawson Army Airfield on C-141A Starlifters in three contingents and arrived in Vietnam on 30 December 1968.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff had tentatively planned for D/151 to join XXIV Corps, in the I Corps Tactical Zone (I CTZ). Troop ceilings, however, caused these plans to be changed. Due to Company D not being infused, as other Guard units were, United States Army Vietnam (USARV) was directed to deactivate Company F (LRP) 51st Infantry (ABN) and replace it with D/151. Company D was assigned to II Field Force Vietnam (IIFFV) with the mission of conducting long range patrols in War Zone D, in the III Corps Tactical Zone (III CTZ). The 199th Light Infantry Brigade conducted a one week orientation course with the unit, and Company D received four more weeks of intensive, mission-specific training from the provisional II Field Force Long Range Patrol Company, formerly Company F (LRP), 51st Infantry (ABN). F/51 instructed its successor unit in patrolling concepts unique to the capital area battlefield. F/51's commander, MAJ George M. Heckman, a former Special Forces instructor and executive officer of the MACV Recondo School, assumed command of D/151 due to his experience and vast knowledge of long range patrol operations. By mid January 1969, Company D personnel were going on patrol with F/51 for long range patrol orientation and were deemed operational on 23 JAN 69. On the unit's very first patrol with Company F, a team from first platoon made contact with the enemy and M-60 machine gunner, Gerry Brantley, earned the company's first purple heart. It is extremely doubtful that D/151 would have achieved its staggering battlefield reputation without the professionalism and competence of F/51.

On 1 FEB 69, the Department of the Army (DA) reorganized all regular army LRP units to "letter" Ranger companies of the 75th Infantry. DA also issued a general order that increased the authorized strength of D/151 from 214 to 230 personnel. This action increased the number of patrol platoons from three to four, increased the number of patrol personnel from five to six, and authorized a Major as commander. The order also changed D/151's parenthetical designation from "LRP" to "RANGER." Additionally, USARV was directed to secure 20 slots in each of the first three MACV recondo classes, beginning in January, and unit members began to attend this highly elite school run by the 5th Special Forces in Nha Trang, following the completion of unit training with F/51.

On 8 FEB 1969, the "Indiana Rangers" began patrolling into AO INDIANA, in southern War Zone D, in Long Khanh and Bien Hoa Provinces. D/151 had trained as a reconnaissance unit at Ft. Benning. This changed quickly as the Indiana Rangers now found themselves under the operational control of the II Field Force G-3 operations section. The G-3's most accepted method of intelligence gathering were ambush patrols along trails, and adjacent to the Song Dong Ngai and Song Be rivers. Company patrols sometimes also ventured into the "Heart-Shaped Woods" and "Iron Triangle" areas of Binh Duong Province. Company D's principle enemy was the infamous "Dong Ngai Regiment," and many D/151 patrols locked horns with NVA/VC units of the Dong Ngai in bunker complexes and base camps throughout III CTZ, with the Indiana Rangers at a considerable numerical disadvantage.

Army aviation was paramount in contributing to the remarkable combat record of D/151. Insertions and extractions, frequently under fire, were performed by the "Annie Fannies" of the 117th Assault Helicopter Company. Cobra gunship support, often the Indiana Rangers' most effective method of breaking contact with a larger, determined enemy force came courtesy of the "Playboys," of the 334th Armed Helicopter Company. Both companies were members of the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade, and had rotating sections assigned to Company D on a permanent basis. The all vital communication relay and aerial observation was performed by the "Aloft" pilots, as they were known, of the 74th Reconnaissance Aviation Company. The men of the 74th RAC provided constant radio-relay from the teams to the Company's tactical operations center (TOC) back at Camp Atterbury (EAST), in Long Binh, and were the first to know of enemy contacts and problems with the teams. Countless Indiana Rangers are alive today because of the valor, courage and raw determination of these three Army aviation units. Tragically, the only air loss during D/151's tenure was due to a mechanical problem in the company command and control helicopter, resulting in the death of all aboard, including aviation section leader, CPT Michael "Iron Mike" Reitz; 3rd platoon leader, Indiana Ranger, 1LT George Kleiber; and his replacement, Indiana Ranger, 1LT Kenneth Cummings, who had arrived to the company just two days prior. Today, thirty years later, they are still sadly missed.

III Corps Tactical Zone contained the capital, Saigon, as well as most of South Vietnam's industrial and logistical areas. Company D patrols were also used to provide early warning of enemy movements into these vital areas, including the giant Long Binh-Bien Hoa logistical base. During Company D's tenure in Vietnam, D/151 fielded 974 patrols, killed over 100 enemy soldiers and lost only 4 of their own in direct combat. In the unit's first six months in Vietnam, alone, the Indiana Rangers reported 134 separate enemy observations and participated in 94 combat engagements with 76 NVA/VC killed by direct fire. Many others were killed by helicopters, Air Force tactical aircraft and artillery. Several patrols reported a massing of enemy troops during Tet of 1969. Most patrols were made up of five or six man teams but many 12 man teams were conducted when previous information suggested that contact was likely. One mission, in May 1969, led by Indiana Ranger team leader, SSG Jon Ellis, a National Guardsman from Anderson, Indiana, counted 600 NVA as they advanced south. The staff officers, clerk-typists and other II Field Force rear echelon personnel were getting their early warning. On this particular night, SSG Ellis did not pull his team back to a remain-overnight-position, but elected to stay within visual sight of the enemy trail. Forced to initiate due to enemy movement, SSG Ellis engaged the massive enemy formation while directing artillery and aviation assets upon the enemy. SSG Ellis was able to safely evade the enemy and extract his team with no friendly casualties.

RA and US soldiers recruited to take their place, replaced National Guard losses due to death, wounds, hardships and early-outs for college. These new members were first required to successfully complete an in-country training program staffed by a cadre of veteran Rangers. The new men also had to be approved by all members of the team to which they were assigned. In early November, the 73 remaining National Guard members were moved from the base camp at Long Binh to Bien Hoa in preparation for the unit's return to Indiana.

On 20 November 1969, Company D (RANGER), 151st Infantry (AIRBORNE) commenced stand-down procedures and returned home to a grateful state and nation. Indiana Governor, Edgar G. Whitcomb, declared 26 November 1969 as "Unity Day" and ordered all state and county offices closed in recognition of Company D's homecoming ceremony held that evening at Tyndall Armory, in downtown Indianapolis. Company D was also awarded the "key to the city" by Indianapolis Mayor, Richard Lugar. The emotional highlight of the ceremony took place when the Rangers of Company D stood at rigid attention as the names of their killed in action were read aloud. Four members of Company D made the supreme sacrifice on Ranger missions, with two additional deaths resulting from a helicopter crash. Indiana Rangers were decorated 538 times in Vietnam. 19 Silver Stars, 1 Soldiers Medal, 123 Bronze Stars (88 with "V" device for valor), 101 Purple Hearts,111 Air Medals and 183 Army Commendation Medals (29 with "V" device for valor) were awarded for valor and achievement. No other single Army Infantry company was as decorated during a one-year period of time as the Indiana Rangers.  

Task Force 1-151 Infantry was mobilized on 21 February 2002 and attached to the 25th ID (TFE) for Operation Joint Forge (SFOR 11). The Task Force included: HHC 1-151, Company C/1-151, E/238th CAV (76th Bde Cav Troop), Tm A/1-163 Infantry (Mech)(MT National Guard, 116th Cav Bde Separate). While deployed, the unit's Headquarters were located at Camp McGovern, Bosnia, where it was assigned responsibility for the northern half of the US sector. The unit redeployed on 15 September 2002 and was demobilized at FT Dix, NJ.

On 1 May 2004, 1st Battalion 151st Infantry answered the call once again and it currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

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