173rd Airborne Brigade

173d Airborne Brigade (Separate)
173rd Airborne Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Active	1917–1919; 1921–1945; 1947–1951; 1963–1972; 2000–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Airborne light infantry
Role	European and African area quick response force
Size	Brigade
Part of	United States Army Europe United States Army Africa U.S. Army Europe and Africa Southern European Task Force
Garrison/HQ	Caserma Del Din (Vicenza, Italy)
Nickname(s)	Sky Soldiers (special designation)[1]
Anniversaries	26 March 2003 Iraq Invasion
Engagements	World War II: Rhineland Campaign Ardennes-Alsace Campaign Central Europe Campaign Vietnam War: Operation Hump Operation Marauder Operation Crimp Operation Silver City Operation Attleboro Operation Niagara Falls Operation Junction City Operation Francis Marion Battle of Dak To War on Terror Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Atlantic Resolve
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation, 1967, 2008 Meritorious Unit Commendation Army, 1965–67 and 2003–04 Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, 1965–70 Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal First Class, 1969–71
Website	Official Website
Commanders
Current commander	COL Joshua M. Gaspard[2]
Notable commanders	John R. Deane Jr. Johnnie E. Wilson Anthony Herbert
Insignia
Combat service identification badge
Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia
Brigade Beret Flash
Brigade Background Trimming

The 173rd Airborne Brigade ("Sky Soldiers")^[1] is an airborne infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) of the United States Army based in Vicenza, Italy. It is the United States European Command's conventional airborne strategic response force for Europe.^[3]

Activated in 1915, as the 173rd Infantry Brigade, the unit saw service in World War II but is best known for its actions during the Vietnam War. The brigade was the first major United States Army ground formation deployed to South Vietnam, serving there from 1965 to 1971 and losing 1,533 soldiers. Noted for its roles in Operation Hump and Operation Junction City, the 173rd is best known for the Battle of Dak To, where it suffered heavy casualties in close combat with North Vietnamese forces. Brigade members received over 7,700 decorations, including more than 6,000 Purple Hearts. The brigade returned to the United States in 1972, where the 1st and 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, were absorbed into the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), and the 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery was reassigned to Division Artillery in the 101st.^[3][4] The remaining units of the 173rd were inactivated.

Since its reactivation in 2000, the brigade served five tours in the Middle East in support of the War on Terror. The 173rd participated in the initial invasion of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, and had four tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10, and 2012–13. The brigade returned most recently from a deployment stretching from late 2013 to late 2014.^[3] 2/503rd 2014-2015 The 173rd Airborne Brigade has received 21 campaign streamers and several unit awards, including the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the Battle of Dak To.