What is the Order of Battle?

The organization or hierarchy of military forces in preparation for a battle.

The planned sequence in which military units arrive and are deployed on a battlefield,

usually based on estimates of their combat effectiveness.

Let’s take a look at the organization or hierarchy of the 4th Infantry Division during Vietnam.

Order of Battle

4^th Infantry Division

DIVISION COMMANDERS

Brigadier General David O. Byars – Aug. 66

Major General Arthur S. Collins, Jr. – Sept. 66

Major General William R. Peers – Jan. 67

Major General Charles P. Stone – Jan. 68

Major General Donn R. Pepk – Dec.68

Major General Glenn D. Walker – Nov.69

Major General William A. Burke – July 70

Brigadier General Maurice K. Kendall (acting) – Dec.70

ELEMENTS: Vietnam Service

Division HQ and HQ Company 09/25/66 – 12/07/70

1^st Brigade HQ and HQ Company 10/04/66 – 12/07/70

2^nd Brigade HQ and HQ Company 08/10/66 – 12/07/70

3^rd Brigade HQ and HQ Company 10/09/66 – 4/15/70

Division Artillery HQ and HQ Battery 10/4/66 – 12/07/70

Division Support Command and HQ & HQ Co. 10/4/669 – 12/07/70

DIVISION HEADQUARTER LOCATIONS IN VIETNAM

Pleiku Sept 66 – Feb 68

Dak To March 68

Pleiku April 68 – Feb 70

An Khe / Pleiku March 70

An Khe April 70 – Dec 70

4^th INFANTRY DIVISION ORDER OF BATTLE: ASSIGNED AND ATTACHED UNITS

1^st Battalion 8^th Infantry Bullets

2^nd Battalion 8^th Infantry – Mechanized Panthers

3^rd Battalion 8^th Infantry Dragoons

1^st Battalion 12^th Infantry Red Warriors

2^nd Battalion 12^th Infantry White Warriors

3^rd Battalion 12^th Infantry Braves

1^st Battalion 14^th Infantry Golden Dragons

1^st Battalion 22^nd Infantry Regulars

2^nd Battalion 22^nd infantry Triple Deuces

3^rd Battalion 22^nd Infantry Regulars

1^st Battalion 35^th Infantry Cacti Green

2^nd Battalion 35^th Infantry Cacti Blue

DIVISION SUPPORT

4^th Engineer Battalion

4^th Medical Battalion

4^th Supply & Transport Battalion, Strength Through Support

124^th Signal Battalion

704^th Maintenance Battalion

4^th Administration Company

4^th Military Police Company

4^th Military Intelligence Company, Motto: First to Know

374^th Army Security Agency Company

ARTILLERY BATTALIONS & NICKNAMES

2^nd Battalion 9^th Artillery (105mm) Mighty Ninth

5^th Battalion 16^th Artillery (155mm M109 Self Propelled Howitzer 8 inch M110 Self Propelled Howitzer)

6^th Battalion 29^th Artillery (105mm) Can Do

4^th Battalion 42^nd Artillery (105mm)

2^nd Battalion 77^th Artillery (105mm)

ARMOR BATTALIONS & NICNAMES

2^ND Battalion 34^th Armor Dreadnaughts

1^st Battalion 69^th Armor Black Panthers

DIVISION RECONNAISSANCE & NICKNAMES

1^st Squadron 10^th Cavalry (Armored) Buffaloes

Company E, 20^th Inf. (Long Range Patrol)

Company E, 58^th Inf. (Long Range Patrol)

Company K, 75^th Inf. (Ranger)

DIVISION AVIATION & NICKNAMES

4^th Aviation Battalion

Company A, The Black Jacks

Company B, The Gambler Gun

OTHER UNITS ON TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT

8^th Psychological Operation Battalion

2^nd Squadron, 1^st Cavalry (Armored) Blackhawks

3^rd Battalion 506^th Inf. (Airmobile)

1^st Battalion 50^th Inf. (Mechanized)

64^th IPCT (Infantry Platoon Combat Tracker

Thanks to John Bobb for the information – HooRah