Many variations of organizational makeup characterized this ad hoc form of a provisional unit. With the advent of the Vietnam war escalation, each Division and Separate Brigade stationed in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) formed a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (Provisional) unit known as the LRRP. The reconnaissance teams would report on enemy troop movements and tactical deployment of the enemy forces.

These units had the primary mission of a stay behind force that would provide the Corps level command with the intelligence needed after the allied forces had withdrawn from West Germany. In fact the only Corp level reconnaissance elements that existed were the V Corps and VII Corps Long Range Reconnaissance companies that were stationed in Germany. The Department of the Army had authorized a Company size reconnaissance element at Corp level throughout the US Army but the personnel and equipment had never been assigned to the Corp level command. Soon after arriving in Vietnam the commanders of the Divisions and separate Brigades realized the need for an elite reconnaissance element to provide the combat intelligence needed to accomplish the mission of finding a very elusive enemy that fought a sustained battle when, and where they chose. As a result, the Long Range Patrol Companies and Detachments (LRP): formally the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) (Provisional) assigned to the major army commands in the Republic of Vietnam became the 75th Infantry (Ranger) Regiment. Rather than create an entirely new unit designation for such an elite force, the Department of the Army looked to its rich and varied heritage and on 1 February 1969 designated the 75th Infantry Regiment the present successor to the famous 5307th Composite Unit (MERRILL’S MARAUDERS), as the parent organization for an Department of the Army designated Long Range patrol (LRP) units, and the parenthetical designation (RANGER) in lieu of (LRP) for these units. In Vietnam this need was met by instituting a Long Range patrol program to provide each major combat unit with this special capability. Throughout history, the need for a small, highly trained, far ranging unit to perform reconnaissance surveillance, target acquisition, and special type combat missions has been readily apparent. This history deals with the activities, personnel and accomplishments of the 75th Infantry (Ranger), Regiment companies during the period 1 February 1969 through 15 October 1974 and makes reference to the units who preceded the designation of the 75th Infantry (Ranger). Transferred to the Army National Guard (D/151st, Indiana and G/143rd, Texas), they were designated as Infantry Airborne Ranger Companies. However, two long-range reconnaissance patrol units were retained in the force structure. Many men went to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. An Indiana National Guard Unit, Company D, 151st Infantry (Ranger), also experienced combat in Vietnam.Īt the end of the war in Vietnam, Ranger companies were deactivated, and their members were dispersed among the various units of the Army. They served until the withdrawal of American troops. The companies assumed the assets of the long-range patrol units, some of which had been in existence in Vietnam since 1967. Assigned to independent brigade, division, and field force units, they conducted long-range reconnaissance and exploitation operations into enemy-held and denied areas, providing valuable combat intelligence. Ranger companies, consisting of highly motivated volunteers, served with distinction in Vietnam from the Mekong Delta to the Demilitarized Zone. Thirteen served proudly in Vietnam until inactivation on August 15, 1972. Fifteen separate Ranger companies were formed from this reorganization. The 75th Infantry was reorganized once more on January 1, 1969, as a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System. With the growing United States involvement in the Vietnam War, Rangers were again called to serve their country.

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