# 11th Aviation Battalion

The 11th Aviation Battalion was a United States Army aviation unit that fought in the Vietnam War. The unit served as a test for helicopter support of ground infantry units.

## History

The unit was constituted on 21 August 1965 and activated on 23 August 1965 at Fort Benning, Ga. The Battalion was inactivated on 16 September 1987. The 11th Aviation Battalion stationed at Fliegerhorst Kaserne in Erlensee, Germany, was the air wing of V Corps. The 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment, at Fort Rucker, now carries the 11th Aviation Battalion's lineage.

## Organizational structure in the Vietnam War

The organizational structure of the 11th Aviation Battalion reflected the following units in 1966/7:
* HQ and HQ Company at Phu Loi Base Camp$^{:31}$
* 390th Quartermaster Detachment (PETRL) at Long Binh Post$^{:31}$
* 116th Assault Helicopter Company at Củ Chi Base Camp$^{:31}$
** 283rd Signal Detachment (RL) Cu Chi$^{:31}$
** 392nd Transportation Detachment (KD) at Cu Chi$^{:31}$
** 431st Medical Detachment (OA) at Cu Chi$^{:31}$
* 128th Assault Helicopter Company at Phu Loi$^{:31}$
** 285th Signal Detachment (RL) at Phu Loi$^{:31}$
** 393rd Transportation Detachment (KD) at Phu Loi$^{:31}$
** 432nd Medical Detachment (OA) at Phu Loi$^{:31}$
* 162nd Assault Helicopter Company at Phước Vĩnh Base Camp$^{:31}$
** 407th Transportation Detachment (KD) at Phuoc Vinh$^{:31}$
** 450th Signal Detachment (RL) at Phuoc Vinh$^{:31}$
** 758th Medical Detachment (OA) at Phuoc Vinh$^{:31}$
* 173rd Assault Helicopter Company at Lai Khê$^{:31}$
** 408th Transportation Detachment (KD) at Lai Khe$^{:31}$
** 451st Signal Detachment (RL) at Lai Khe$^{:31}$
** 759th Medical Detachment (OA) at Lai Khe$^{:31}$
* 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company at Phu Loi$^{:44}$
** 400th Transportation Detachment (AB) Phu Loi$^{:44}$
* 184th Reconnaissance Airplane Company at Phu Loi$^{:45}$
** 243rd Signal Detachment (RL) at Phu Loi$^{:45}$
* 205th Assault Support Helicopter Company at Phu loi$^{:45}$
** 612th Transportation Detachment (AB) at Phu Loi$^{:45}$
* 213th Combat Assault Support Helicopter Company at Phu Loi$^{:31}$
** 329th Transportation Detachment (AB) at Phu Loi$^{:31}$
* 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company at Phu Loi$^{:31}$
** 400th Transportation Detachment (AB) at Phu Loi$^{:31}$

## Commanders
### In Vietnam

* LTC John W. Lauterbach, in command on 1 January 1966.
* LTC Joseph B. Starker; assumed command on 20 May 1966.
* LTC Leo E. Soucek; assumed command on 7 May 1967, later retiring as a Brigadier General.
* LTC William A. Hobbs; assumed command on 10 November 67.
* LTC William F. Bauman; assumed command on 22 April 1968.
* LTC Robert W. Flint, in command on 31 January 1970.

### In Germany

* Tommy Stiner

## Awards and decorations
### Campaign credit

| Conflict | Streamer | Year(s) |
| Vietnam War | Defense | 1965 |
| Vietnam War | Counteroffensive | 1965–1966 |
| Vietnam War | Counteroffensive, Phase II | 1966–1967 |
| Vietnam War | Counteroffensive, Phase III | 1967–1968 |
| Vietnam War | Tet Counteroffensive | 1968 |
| Vietnam War | Counteroffensive, Phase IV | 1968 |
| Vietnam War | Counteroffensive, Phase V | 1968 |
| Vietnam War | Counteroffensive, Phase VI | 1968–1969 |
| Vietnam War | Tet 69/Counteroffensive | 1969 |
| Vietnam War | Summer-Fall 1969 | 1969 |
| Vietnam War | Winter-Spring 1970 | 1969–1970 |
| Vietnam War | Sanctuary Counteroffensive | |
| Vietnam War | Counteroffensive, Phase VII | |
| Vietnam War | Consolidation I | |
| Vietnam War | Consolidation II | |

### Unit decorations

| Award | Year | Notes |
| Valorous Unit Award (Army) | 4 – 20 Nov 66 | DAU TIENG-SUOI DA |
| Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) | 1 Jan – 31 Dec 67 | VIETNAM 1967 |
| Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm | Dec 65 – Jun 66 | For service in Vietnam |
| Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm | 1 Mar 66 – 26 Mar 67 | For service in Vietnam |
| Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm | 22 Feb 67 – 17 May 68 | For service in Vietnam |
| Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm | 1 Jan 69 – 30 Sep 70 | For service in Vietnam |
| Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm | 1 Oct 70 – 31 Aug 72 | For service in Vietnam |
| Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm | 26 Sep – 10 Oct 71 | For service in Vietnam |
| Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation | 1 May 69 – 15 May 70 | For service in Vietnam |
| Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation | 1 Jan – 31 Dec 71 | For service in Vietnam |