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The Indiana National Guard’s Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry — one of the most decorated infantry companies of the Vietnam War — will receive the Presidential Unit Citation at the 148th General Conference & Exhibition, Aug. 28-31 in Indianapolis.
Some Indiana Rangers, now in their 80s, will appear at the conference to accept the honor.
The Presidential Unit Citation is the U.S. military’s highest unit honor, awarded for extraordinary heroism, gallantry and determination under exceptionally difficult and hazardous combat conditions.
“We are proud to host the Indiana Rangers and help see these American heroes receive this long-overdue honor,” said retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president.
Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., nominated the unit for the Presidential Unit Citation earlier this year.
“The Indiana Rangers showed extraordinary courage under some of the most dangerous conditions imaginable,” Spartz said in a press release announcing the award last week. “Their individual heroism was recognized many times, but recognition of the unit as a whole has been overdue since the Nixon era.”
President Lyndon Johnson, Nixon’s predecessor, mobilized Company D and 75 other Army Guard units to active duty in April 1968. Only eight served in Vietnam.
The unit mobilized in May 1968, leaving Indianapolis with eight officers, one warrant officer and 195 enlisted soldiers for Fort Benning, Georgia.
Unit members completed 26 weeks of intensive unit and individual training, including the Army’s Ranger and Pathfinder courses. Infantry School officials later called Company D the best-trained unit in the school’s history, according to the Army Historical Foundation.
They arrived in South Vietnam in late 1968. After several more weeks of training, they conducted long-range reconnaissance patrols in five- or six-man teams behind enemy lines, primarily tracking enemy movements in War Zone D near Saigon.
During their one-year deployment, the Indiana Rangers conducted 974 patrols, reported 134 enemy sightings and fought in 94 direct engagements.
In one case, a five-man patrol spotted and reported 600 advancing North Vietnamese Army troops.
Unit members were credited with killing more than 100 enemy combatants by direct fire, with many more killed through airstrikes and artillery called in from their coordinates.
The unit lost six members: four in direct combat and two in a helicopter crash.
The Indiana Rangers received more than 538 decorations, including 19 Silver Stars, one Soldier’s Medal, 123 Bronze Stars — 88 with “V” device for valor — 101 Purple Hearts, 111 Air Medals and 183 Army Commendation Medals.
Unit members began preparing to return home Nov. 20, 1969, the same day the Army activated Company D, 75th Infantry (Ranger), to replace the Indiana Army Guard unit.
To celebrate the company’s return, Indiana Gov. Edgar G. Whitcomb declared Nov. 26, 1969, “Unity Day” and ordered state and county offices closed in recognition of Company D.
A ceremony celebrating its arrival was held that evening at Tyndall Armory, where Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar presented Company D with a key to the city.
After its Vietnam service, Company D went through several reorganizations.
On March 1, 1977, it became Troop A, 1st Squadron, 238th Cavalry. On Oct. 3, 1986, it was redesignated as the Long Range Surveillance Detachment, 1st Squadron, 238th Cavalry. Three years later, it became the 151st Infantry Detachment.
In September 2008, it was redesignated Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 152nd Cavalry.
“The Indiana Rangers of the 151st Infantry Regiment set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire our force today,” said Maj. Gen. Larry Muennich, the adjutant general of Indiana, in Spartz’s press release.
“They lived the Warrior Ethos in the most unforgiving conditions, demonstrating a fierce loyalty to their brothers in arms and an unwavering commitment to the mission,” added Muennich. “We could not be prouder of this historic heroism. The Presidential Unit Citation is a testament to their grit, their sacrifice, and a legacy that will never be forgotten.”
—By John Goheen
Press Release: Indiana National Guard Unit Approved for Presidential Unit Citation (Aug. 12, 2026)
