On November 16, 2013, Yanks unveiled its recently restored UH-1 “Huey” to the public. It was however, not the new aircraft sitting in the hangar that drew the most attention that day, but the nearly twenty men seated in front of it who came to share their experiences and admire the machine to which they owed their lives. These US Army veterans had all served as members of the 335th Assault Helicopter Company (AHC). Originally founded as Company A, 82nd Aviation Battalion, the unit was perhaps better known by its call sign, “The Cowboys”.
Founded as a component of the 82nd Airborne Division which had helped to pioneer airborne tactics during World War II, it is appropriate that “The Cowboys” would be at the forefront of developing new tactics using new technology that would see the foundation laid for the concept of air cavalry operations. Their proving ground for this new concept would be in Vietnam.
Deployed to Vietnam aboard the USS Iwo Jima in April 1965, the company was quickly assigned to support the 173rd Aviation Brigade, often affectionately referred to by the Cowboys as “The Herd”. This began a relationship of mutual cooperation and respect that would last for much of their tour in Vietnam. It was at this time that the unit received its call sign “Dallas Cowboys” which was quickly shortened to just “Cowboys”.
On January 1, 1967, the unit was renamed the 335th AHC which it would retain for the rest of its life. In November 1967, the Cowboys’ three flight platoons, “Ramrods”, “Mustangs” and “Falcons” would be involved in heavy fighting around Hill 875 during the Battle of Dak To as part of Operation MacArthur. For its actions in direct support of the 173rd Airborne Brigade during the Assault on Hill 875, the Cowboys were awarded their second Presidential Unit Citation and were honored with a personal letter to the unit from General Westmoreland. Thirty-two Cowboys were recommended for Air Medals and one for the Distinguished Service Cross. The 335th AHC would remain in Vietnam until November 1971 when it was reassigned to Fort Riley, Kansas. The unit was deactivated in 1976.
Almost forty years later, former Cowboys traveled to Chino, California to help dedicate a UH-1 “Huey” to their memory and to the memory of their comrades who could not be there. They shared their stories and experiences and explained to the younger generations how The Cowboys had earned their spurs in the skies over Vietnam where fiftyfour Cowboys paid the ultimate sacrifice.
