Robert Gouge

"These Are My Credentials": the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam, 1966-1970. Robert Gouge

The 199th Light Infantry Brigade(Redcatchers) served with distinction, honor andvalor in the Republic of Vietnam from November 28th, 1966 to October 15th,1970. During the American involvement in Vietnam, the 199th LIB proved time andtime again that it was one of the finest and most professional infantry unitsto have ever served in the United States Army.?Organized specifically for Vietnam service, the 199th became the firstmajor American unit to undergo the process of Vietnamizationwith ARVN forces in 1967, the first American brigade in U. S. military historyto have an African-American as its commanding officer, the first unit inVietnam to have a Chaplain awarded the Medal of Honor and the sole unit inVietnam to earn the dubious distinction as having lost the only general officerkilled in action during ground combat.?Often overshadowed by the larger, more 'glamorous' units anddivisions that fought in Southeast Asia, less than 25,000 men ever served inthe ranks of the 199th LIB.? 755 youngheroes from the Brigade were killed in action during the Vietnam War.? Their memory and sacrifice will never beforgotten...