BATTALION HISTORY, TO DATE
LTC John J Top turned over command to LTC Jack Seliskar on the 23rd
of November 1969.
The 334th Aviation Company (Attack Helicopter), commanded by Maj.
John R. McQuestion, on April 29th, 1970, was the first Aviation Company to
fly into Cambodia, (officially). And just to keep the record straight,
those of us who were there know we flew into Cambodia years before that.
The 334th AHC mission was in support of the official 60 day, 20 mile clean
out operation into Cambodia in May and June 1970, that all units of the
145th CAB participated in.
LTC Jack Seliskar turned over command of the 145th CAB on the 19th of
May 1970 to LTC Calvin G Dodd.
On 13 June 1970, 1Lt Scott R Alwin, 68th AHC, 145th CAB, was awarded
his 102nd through 108th Air Medal which set the record for the most Air
Medals held by an Army Aviator.
On the 15th August 1970, LTC William H Dillard assumed the command of
the 145th CAB from LTC Calvin G Dodd.
In September of 1970 the 190th AHC entered into joint training with
the South Vietnamese Air Force.
LTC Richard D Kenyon took over for LTC William H Dillard on 1
December 1970. The 190th Avn Co left Vietnam on the 10th of December 1970.
In February 1971 the 68th Avn Co (AHC) entered into joint training
with the South Vietnamese Air Force. And on the 1st of April 1971 the 68th
AHC left Vietnam.
In April of 1971 the 242d Avn Co (ASHC) joined the 145th CAB. And in
May of 1971 the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion was relocated to Long
Binh.
Command of the 145th CAB was turned over to LTC William J Lumpkins on
the 19th of July 1971 by LTC Richard D Kenyon. Also in July of 1971 the
25th Avn Co and the 213th Avn Co joined the 145th CAB. The 334th Avn Co
(Armed Escort) was transferred to the 12th Combat Aviation Group in July
1971.
On the 31st of August 1971 the 118th Avn Co (AHC) left Vietnam.
On 1 October 1971 the 242d Avn Co departed Vietnam.
The 117th Avn Co (AHC) joined the 145th CAB for the third time in
December 1971. And on the 26th of March 1972 the 117th AHC and the 25th
Avn Co (CAC) left Vietnam.
On 31 March 1972 the 213th Avn Co was deactivated.
LTC William J Lumpkins turned over command of the 145th Combat
Aviation Battalion to LTC Neal C Petree on the 1st of April 1972. On the
2nd of April 1972 the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion left Vietnam.

At the curent time I have very little information on the 145th C.A.B.
after it left Vietnam. I beleive it was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield,
Georgia until 30 Sept 1982 when deactivated. And then reactivated at Fort
Rucker, Alabama as the 1st Bn., 145th Aviation Regiment on 20 November
1987. Here is a list of 145th C.A.B. commanders after it left Vietnam:

LTC Earnest W. Rhyan, Jr. 3 June 1972 - 19 Dec 1972

LTC Lawrence A. Bell 15 May 1973 - 29 May 1974
LTC Duane C. Ingram 30 May 1974 - 26 Nov 1975
LTC Paul J. Wenzel 26 Nov 1975 - 7 June 1977
LTC Harold E. Culley 8 June 1977 - 8 Jan 1976
LTC Phillip W. Gaskins 9 Jan 1979 - 25 June 1981
LTC John M. Kilkenny 26 Jun 1981 - 30 Sep 1982

Reactivated as 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment 20 November 1987

LTC Michael S. Byington 20 Nov 1987 - July 1989
LTC James Diamond July 1989 - Present

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