91st Cavalry Regiment


The 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment was a light Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron currently serving as the Airborne Brigade">Airborne forces">Airborne Brigade's reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition squadron based out of Tower Barracks in Grafenwöhr, Germany. It is the only Airborne RSTA Squadron within the European, Middle East, and Africa area of responsibility. It was reflagged to 3rd Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment on 8 January 2026.
The 91st Reconnaissance Squadron was originally organized as a mechanized cavalry reconnaissance squadron in the 1st Cavalry Division. It was the oldest and most experienced squadron sized mechanized reconnaissance unit in the US Army. It completed six campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy during World War II, while attached to various infantry and armored divisions. The 91st Cavalry Recon Squadron was a non-divisional unit and reported directly to the Army's II Corps. The unit was deactivated on 23 June 1953.
The 91st Reconnaissance Squadron was re-activated, re-organized, and re-designated the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment on 8 June 2006, at Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt, Germany. This reactivation was part of the transition of the 173rd Airborne Brigade to the U.S. Army's new modular force structure. This reactivation was the first time the colors of the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment had flown since the end of World War II.
Organized as ″Task Force Saber″, 1-91 CAV has subsequently deployed three times to the International Security Assistance Force's Regional Command East in Eastern Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. During OEF VIII 2007-08, the Squadron deployed troops to Nuristan, Kunar, Nangarhar, and Paktika Provinces. During OEF X from 2009–10, and OEF XII-XIII from 2012–13, the Squadron deployed to Logar Province.
Soon after returning to Germany from OEF XIII in March 2013, 1-91 CAV moved from Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt to Tower Barracks in Grafenwöhr due to a Brigade realignment and the imminent closure of USAG Schweinfurt. After moving to Tower Barracks, 1-91 CAV shifted focus from the OEF mission to Airborne proficiency, and NATO support and tactical reassurance.
Since 2013, 1-91 CAV has conducted operations in Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Israel in addition to its German home. Most notably, 1-91 CAV represented the United States in several internationally recognized NATO exercises to include: Operation Steadfast Jazz, Operation Atlantic Resolve, Operation Allied Spirit, Operation Swift Response, Operation Agile Spirit, and Operation Saber Junction.
Most recently in January of 2017 and again in June of 2021, a detachment consisting primarily of members of the dismounted reconnaissance Troops, deployed to conduct security force operations in support of the Global War On Terror for Operation Atlantic Sentry.
In September of 2020, 1-91 CAV conducted an airborne operation into Vaziani, Georgia. The Squadron returned again in July 2021 for Operation Agile Spirit, conducting two more airborne operations onto Vaziani DZ. This time the unit jumped with Georgian Jumpmasters, making 1-91 CAV the first unit ever to earn Georgian Jump Wings.
In August 2021, 1-91 CAV deployed to Ramstein Air Base, where they spent two months supporting Operation Allies Refuge, contributing to the housing and transportation of roughly 40,000 Afghan refugees. The Squadron was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Army Superior Unit Award for its efforts during this period.
In January 2022, and again in January 2023, the UAS Platoon from Headquarters and Headquarters Troop deployed to Leon, Spain for a month each time to conduct joint training with the Spanish Army.
Members of Anvil Troop participated in and won the Gainey Cup - Best Scout Squad Competition at Fort Benning in May of 2025 ahead of 17 other teams from the United States, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Canada, Germany, and Ireland.

Lineage

The 91st Cavalry Regiment was constituted in the Regular Army on 16 October 1928 from the 1st Armored Car Troop as Troop A of the 1st Armored Car Squadron, and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. Troop A was transferred to Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, on 29 August 1928, to Fort Holabird, Maryland, on 1 October 1928, and to Fort Bliss, Texas, on 10 November 1928. The remainder of the squadron was assigned to the Eighth Corps Area, and was activated on 30 June 1932 at Fort Bliss, Texas, with Organized Reserve personnel as a Regular Army Inactive unit. On 1 March 1939, the squadron was redesignated the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron. On 3 January 1941, the squadron was fully activated and all Reserve personnel were relieved of assignment. It was redesignated the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron on 8 May 1941.
  • 91st Reconnaissance Battalion
  • 91st Armored Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalion
  • 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment

Honors

Medal of Honor Recipients

Distinguished Service Cross Recipients

  • 1LT Gerry H. Kisters - 7 May 1943, Ferryville, Tunisia
  • SGT Peter T. Perkins - 3 Aug 1943, Sicily, Italy
  • LTC Charles A. Ellis - 2–3 July 1944, Serrazzone, Fonano, Italy
  • MAJ Thomas Bostick - B 1/91 CAV; 27 July 2007; Nuristan, Afghanistan
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major Thomas Gordon Bostick, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States while serving as the Commanding Officer of Troop B, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, on 27 July 2007 in Afghanistan. When he was advised by friendly foreign forces that an enemy element was approaching his position, Major Bostic rapidly employed mortar fire and close air support on the approaching enemy to suppress them. While directing fire, his position came under enemy small arms fire, nevertheless, he continued to direct fire until the enemy was defeated. When the immediate threat was neutralized, Major Bostic maneuvered his quick reaction force to a forward position to retrieve three casualties. After a lull in the battle, the enemy reinforced their attack and engaged Major Bostick and the forward elements from three sides. Once again, he employed direct and indirect fire on the enemy positions and enabled the lead element to begin to move to more defensible positions. As the fire on his position intensified, Major Bostick positioned himself between the enemy and his own exposed Soldiers who were navigating the mountainous terrain and engaged the enemy with accurate fire. While in this exposed position and under continuous small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire, he was mortally wounded. Major Bostick's selfless actions ensured his Soldiers had sufficient time to retreat through the hazardous terrain in order to seek cover and survive the attack. Major Bostick's actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 91st Cavalry Regiment, and the United States Army.

Silver Star Recipients

  • PVT Carl Moore; B 91st RECON; 3 Aug 1943; Sicily, Italy
  • SGT Joseph A. Mammone, 91st CAV RECON, 1944, Sicily, Italy
  • CPT Simmie Oslin Callahan III, 91st CAV RECON; 1943
  • MAJ John B. Donnell, 91st CAV RECON, Bizerte, Tunesia, Africa, 1943
  • 1LT Dan E. Coffee, 91st CAV RECON, Bizerte, Tunesia, Africa, 1943
  • 1LT John M. Davis, B TRP, 91st CAV RECON, Africa, 1943
  • 2LT William R. White, 91st CAV RECON, Sedjenane, Africa, 27 Apr 1943
  • 1LT Charles W. Stowell, E TRP, 91st CAV RECON, Africa, 1943
  • CPT Ted F. Douthitt, C TRP, 91st CAV RECON, Africa, 1943
  • 1LT Edward Stuart Wells, A TRP, 91st CAV RECON, Africa, 1943
  • 1LT Charles W. Stowell, E TRP, 91st CAV RECON, 1944
  • 1LT John Meyer; B 1/91 CAV; 27 July 2007; Nuristan, Afghanistan
  • 1LT Alex Newsom; B 1/91 CAV; 27 July 2007; Nuristan, Afghanistan
  • SGT Robert Fortner; B 1/91 CAV; 27 July 2007; Nuristan, Afghanistan

World War II Configuration

91st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron
  • Headquarters Troop
  • A Troop
  • B Troop
  • C Troop
  • E Troop
91st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron
  • Headquarters Troop, with Pioneer and Demolitions Platoon
  • A Troop
  • B Troop
  • C Troop
  • D Troop
  • E Troop
  • F Troop

Most recent configuration

Prior to inactivation in early 2026, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment was constituted with five troops:
  • Headquarters and Headquarters Troop
  • Anvil Troop
  • Bulldog Troop
  • Comanche Troop
  • Darkhorse Troop