About this Unit
The 5th Battalion, 68th Armor, Combat Support Company (CSC) Recon, was an element of the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized), United States Army, primarily stationed in Baumholder, West Germany, during the Cold War era. Formed as part of the Army’s organizational reforms in the late 1960s, the CSC Recon Platoon was tasked with reconnaissance, surveillance, and security missions to support battalion operations. The unit trained extensively in armored reconnaissance tactics, often participating in major NATO exercises such as REFORGER to deter Warsaw Pact aggression. The 5/68 CSC Recon remained an integral part of U.S. forward-deployed forces in Europe until its inactivation during Army downsizing and reorganization in the early 1980s.
Historical Facts
• Origins: The 5th Battalion, 68th Armor (5/68), originally formed as part of the 8th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, with the Combat Support Company (CSC) housing the Recon Platoon.
• Cold War Service: Stationed in West Germany during the height of the Cold War, 5/68 CSC Recon played a crucial role in border surveillance and deterrence missions near the Iron Curtain.
• Reconnaissance Role: The Recon Platoon was tasked with forward scouting, gathering intelligence on potential enemy movements, and providing early warning to the main battalion.
• Unique Equipment: The unit operated M113 armored personnel carriers, M151 MUTT jeeps, and sometimes M60 tanks, enabling both rapid movement and armored protection for its reconnaissance tasks.
• Joint Exercises: 5/68 CSC Recon regularly participated in NATO exercises such as REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany), designed to test rapid deployment and interoperability with allied forces.
• Decorated Unit: Members of the 5/68 CSC Recon received various commendations for their performance in high-stress field exercises and their readiness during heightened alert periods.
• Integration of Infantry and Armor: As part of a combined arms battalion, recon soldiers trained extensively to operate alongside both infantry and armored elements, fostering adaptability and coordination.
• Legacy of Camaraderie: Veterans of 5/68 CSC Recon maintain active reunion groups, sharing stories of their time in Germany and the unique challenges of Cold War service.
• Transition and Deactivation: The 5/68 Armor was inactivated in 1984 as part of Army restructuring, but its recon platoon's traditions have influenced subsequent reconnaissance units.
• Historical Anecdotes: The unit is remembered for its "border tours," where recon teams would patrol close to the East German border, keeping constant watch and sometimes engaging in tense standoffs with Warsaw Pact forces.
