61st Assault Helicopter Company
Lucky Star · Starblazers · Vietnam 1967–1972
The colors of the 61st Assault Helicopter Company Unit Crest, Blue and Gold, denotes Army Aviation Units. The Dice with the 6 and 1 showing denotes the unit designation 61st and also adds up to seven meaning Good Luck thus the word "Lucky" is used. The "Star" comes from the Senior Aviators badge. For compatibility the Armed Platoon or Gun Platoon also uses the Star. Blazers" is added to denote the swiftness and fire power of the gun ships.
The unit was constituted, 3 April 1962, in the Regular Army as the 61st Aviation Company. It was activated a light transport (Otter) company on 1 May 1962 at Ft. Bragg, NC; later become a Caribou company in same the year. The 61st was inactivated 1 January 1967, in Vietnam, when the Caribou aircraft were turned over to the U.S. Air Force. The 61st Assault Helicopter Company (AHC) was re-activated at Ft. Campbell, KY, by General Orders 36, Headquarters, Third United States Army, dated 30 January 1967 and effective 8 February 1967.
61st AHC military records IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTrThe Meritorious Unit Commendation, with a streamer embroidered "Vietnam - Oct 1964 - Dec 1965," was presented on the 12th of July 1967.
61st AHC and Detachments received the:
RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citaion for 22 Feb 67-17 May 68 193rd Medical Detachment also awarded 1 Jan 69-30 Sep 70 & 1 Oct 70-31 Aug 72
RVN Civil Actions Medal, FC for 28 Oct-6 Dec 70 (only 61st AHC)