The 113th Cavalry Group, known from its coat of arms as the Red Horse Cavalry, was launched into action against the Germans for the second time in its history on July 4, 1944 in the St Jean de Daye area.

 The 113th Cavalry Group, known from its coat of arms as the Red Horse Cavalry, was launched into action against the Germans for the second time in its history on July 4, 1944 in the St Jean de Daye area. From that time until the German surrender Der Führer's soldiers felt both the lightening thrusts and the steady pressure of this distinguished unit. The Group, which comprises Headquarters and Headquarters Troop 113th Cavalry Group, Mechanized, 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, and 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, ( see memorial on TAPS page )started its military career as Iowa National Guard Cavalry in July 1915, and during World War I it saw action as a machine-gun unit. Called into Federal Service again on January 13, 1941 with one Squadron "mechanized" and the other "horsed", the Regiment became fully mechanized in April 1942. Preparation and training for World War I I carried the Regiment to Camp Bowie, the Mexican Border, and Camp Hood, Texas; and to Camp Livingston and Camp Polk, Louisiana, as well as to three large-scale Louisiana Maneuvers. In August 1943 the 113th Cavalry became Corps Reconnaissance Regiment for the III Armored Corps, later XIX Corps, an association renewed in England in early 1944 and maintained with few interruptions thereafter.

On February 6, 1944, the 113th Cavalry Regiment was reorganized into a Group Headquarters and two Squadrons, the 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, and the 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized. Col. William S. Biddle, of Portland, Oregon, and U.S. Military Academy Class Of 1923, who had commanded the Regiment, became the Group Commander; and Lt. Col. Allen D. Hulse of San Antonio, Texas, and U. S. Military Academy Class of 1938, who had commanded the 1st Squadron of the Regiment, assumed command of the 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. The 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron was commanded by Lt. Col. Jeff F. Hollis, of Tampa, Florida, who had commanded the 2nd Squadron of the Regiment. Lt. Col. Anthony F. Kleitz, of Denver, Colorado, and U. S. Military Academy Class Of 1933, took command of the 125th Squadron in August 1944, at which time Lt. Col. Hollis assumed the duties of Group Executive Officer. Primarily intended and trained for long-distance mounted reconnaissance, the Red Horse Cavalry saw all kinds of action in Normandy, Northern France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany, usually in the forefront of the battle. In its first engagement, in Normandy, the Red Horse Cavalry put aside its mechanized reconnaissance tactics and cut its teeth on one of Hitler's best SS Panzer Grenadier Divisions, the 17th, when the Group crossed the Vire et Taute Canal on July 7th and took the towns of Goucherie and Le Mesnil-Veneron. For four days, it fought in the treacherous hedgerows against what turned out to be the spearhead of a German counterattack aimed at Carentan and Isigny, and won the commendation of Maj. Gen. Charles H. Corlett, XIX Corps Commander. Following a Task Force of the 29th Infantry Division into St Lo on July 18th, the 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron attempted mounted reconnaissance to the high ground south of that city; but German paratroopers were found to be too deeply entrenched in the hedgerows, and so the Group, working under the 35th Infantry Division, again went into dismounted action. A rugged week, with intense artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, followed, during which both Squadrons took turns patrolling well into enemy lines.

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