About this Unit
HHC 3/47th Infantry was the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, a unit with distinguished service in the U.S. Army. Activated during World War II, the 47th Infantry Regiment participated in major campaigns in Europe, including Normandy and the Rhineland. In the Vietnam War, the 3/47th Infantry was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division and operated in the challenging environments of the Mekong Delta, conducting riverine and counterinsurgency operations. The battalion, with HHC providing essential command and support functions, earned multiple commendations for its bravery and effectiveness in combat.
Historical Facts
•
Unit Designation: HHC 3/47th Infantry stands for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, a part of the United States Army.
•
Origins: The 47th Infantry Regiment was constituted in 1917 during World War I at Camp Syracuse, New York, and the 3rd Battalion was among its key components.
•
World War II Service: The regiment, including its battalions, fought in several European campaigns, including Normandy and the Rhineland, as part of the 9th Infantry Division.
•
Vietnam War Deployments: 3/47th Infantry was reactivated and deployed to Vietnam, serving under the 9th Infantry Division and specializing in riverine and mobile operations in the Mekong Delta.
•
Mekong Delta "Brown Water Navy": The battalion was a core unit in the Mobile Riverine Force, operating with U.S. Navy support and conducting amphibious assaults, patrols, and raids against Viet Cong positions.
•
Operation Coronado: 3/47th Infantry participated in Operation Coronado, one of the largest riverine operations of the Vietnam War, targeting enemy forces and disrupting their strongholds.
•
Distinguished Service: The battalion earned several unit commendations for valor and effectiveness in combat during the Vietnam War, including Presidential Unit Citations and Valorous Unit Awards.
•
Heroic Stories: Soldiers from HHC 3/47th Inf often acted as forward observers and command staff, coordinating complex riverine assaults and saving lives under fire, with several members receiving personal decorations for bravery.
•
Post-Vietnam Role: After the Vietnam War, the unit was deactivated and later reactivated for training missions; it has played a key role in basic and advanced infantry training at locations like Fort Benning and Fort Leonard Wood.
•
Legacy: Today, the history and traditions of HHC 3/47th Inf are preserved through regimental associations, reunions, and the sharing of stories by veterans who served in this storied unit.
