OK, let's not get too far off-topic, but ...
Quote:
In late 1971 and early 1972, the 101st withdrew from Vietnam and returned to the United States. It was the last United States Army division to leave the combat zone in Vietnam Seventeen Congressional Medal of Honor awards were given to individuals from the 101st. Vice President Spiro T. Agnew and Army Chief of Staff General William C. Westmoreland welcomed the 101st home during official homecoming ceremonies on 6 April 1972 at Fort Campbell.
THE POST VIETNAM ERA
The Screaming Eagles were at 20 percent of their authorized strength on homecoming day due to an early separation date program, the transfer of soldiers to their units to complete their tours of duty in Vietnam, and an extensive leave policy. A recruiting program called "Unit of Choice" enabled the 101st to reach sixty-five percent by December. Rebuilding combat readiness became the major goal of new training programs. On 24 January 1973, elements of the 3rd Brigade participated in the largest airborne operation held by the 101st since their return from Vietnam. Exercise QUICK EAGLE I tested the combat readiness of the 3rd Brigade, and subsequent QUICK EAGLE exercises tested the rest of the Division. By June 1973, the 101st was again combat ready.
101st AIRBORNE DIVISION (AIR ASSAULT)
The 101st underwent significant identity changes during 1974. On 1 February, the 3rd Brigade announced the termination of its parachute status, and Major General Sidney B. Berry, Commanding General of the 101st, authorized the wearing of an airmobile badge. When the airmobile designation was dropped on 4 October that same year, the Division added the Air Assault designation. Graduates of the Air Assault School each received the newly designed air assault badge, which officially became an Army qualifications skill badge on 20 January 1978, retroactive to 1 April 1974 for any soldier in an air assault unit who had demonstrated qualifying professional knowledge and skill.
|
http://www.lzsally.com/sally2/archiv...irborne_di.htm
And an authorative rendering of the 101st Airborne Division immediately post Viet Nam (the author is brilliant soldier, an excellent author, strong, handsome, good in bed, and is kind to small animals):
http://airassault.bizhosting.com/PostRVN.htm
Anyway ...
the 101st was 1/3 Airborne and "on status" until 1974. I was on that last mass tactical jump, but unlike many others, I did not steal my T-10 reserve nor cut a scarf from my canopy, since, as a Pathfinder, I stayed on status after the rest of the Division went leg.