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Episode 3282 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Indiana Rangers quest for unit recognition for Vietnam War service. The featured story is titled: Indiana Rangers fight for unit recognition for serving in Vietnam War. It was submitted by Garrett Bergquist and it appeared on KRTV.
Bergquist reported that the story of Company D, 151st Infantry — known as the Indiana Rangers — stands as one of the most remarkable yet underrecognized chapters of the Vietnam War. Deployed to Vietnam in late 1968, the Indiana National Guard unit was unique because it served as the only National Guard combat unit sent overseas intact during the conflict. Trained as Airborne and Ranger-qualified soldiers, the Indiana Rangers carried out dangerous reconnaissance missions in small five-man teams deep in the jungle, often behind enemy lines near the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Their courage and effectiveness in combat earned extraordinary recognition on an individual level. During their year-long deployment, members of the unit received more than 500 medals, including 19 Silver Stars, 175 Bronze Stars, and 110 Purple Hearts — the highest number of individual awards earned by any Army infantry unit within a single year. Despite these accomplishments, the unit itself never received an official military unit citation, something surviving members believe is long overdue.
Veterans such as Donnie Holland and Gary Bussell continue to campaign for a Presidential Unit Citation or Valorous Unit Award to honor not only the combat soldiers, but also the support personnel whose work kept the Rangers alive in the field. The memories of six fallen Indiana Rangers remain central to their mission. Recent support from Congresswoman Victoria Spartz and members of Indiana’s Congressional delegation has renewed hope that the Indiana Rangers may finally receive the collective recognition their extraordinary service deserves.
Listen to Episode 3282 and discover more about the Indiana Rangers quest for unit recognition for Vietnam War service.
