The Cavalry Monument

Curator:  Fort Huachuca Museum Society

Theme:   Cavalry

Background:  The United States Cavalry, or U.S. Cavalry, was the designation of the mounted force of the United States Army from the late 18th to the early 20th century.   Significant numbers of horse mounted units participated in early foreign conflicts in the Spanish–American War of 1898, and in the Western Front battlefields of Europe in World War I (1917–1918), although numbers and roles declined.  Immediately preceding World War II (1941–1945), the U.S. Cavalry began transitioning to a mechanized, mounted force.  The Cavalry branch became the Armor branch with tanks in 1950, but the term "Cavalry" such as "armored cavalry" remains in use in the U.S. Army for mounted (ground and aviation) reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA).  The 1st Cavalry Division is the only active division in the United States Army with a cavalry designation. The division maintains a detachment of horse-mounted cavalry for ceremonial purposes.  When we think of rescuers in times of great threat or distress, we usually think of the Cavalry! 

Fort Huachuca was home to Cavalry units during much of its early history.  Today, Fort Huachuca retains a ceremonial detachment known as B-Troop.  Virtually every Army leader of both World Wars saw service on the border between 1911 and 1917. And few of these men doubted that war with Mexico was inevitable.  The Punitive Expedition was the largest scale maneuver undertaken up until that time by the U.S. Army. It absorbed the complete attention of all of the politicians and Military leaders in Washington, D.C. It was the final hurrah for the horse cavalry, although not all cavalrymen would recognize this until decades later. For an American soldier in the second decade of the 20th century, this was where the action was.  Many of the current and former residents of this area served in Cavalry units during their service.  As Veterans, they look back on their service with pride, having performed a unique and often dangerous role in providing intelligence and force protection.  

Dedication Inscription:  

The Cavalry, whose

fighting spirit opened and

defended our territories,

protected our nation, and

often spearheaded military

campaigns, epitomize the

patriotism of our nation’s

warfighters.  They bravely

blazed a path for others

to follow. CAV HOOAH!

Attribution Inscription:  

The The Fort Huachuca Museum 

Society proudly supports this monument 

as a tribute to the Cavalry who 

served and protected our 

nation.  The Society 

contributed images and 

inscriptions on this monument.

Monument Image: 

Images will be artistically arranged by a professional.

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