Creation

The 199th Light Infantry Brigade was created specifically for the war in Vietnam. It became the only "Separate" and "Light" brigade to serve in Southeast Asia during the American involvement there.

The 199th was also formed and organized in a manner ahead of its time. With most units in Vietnam still under the triangular division organization, the 199th LIB instead resembled the modern-day "Striker-Brigades" which are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yet, the history of the 199th and its role in the Vietnam War are largely overlooked or forgotten by most historians and students of the era.

Image taken by Robby Gouge

As seen and symbolized on the 199th LIB shoulder-sleeve insignia, the blue and white background is used to designate the primary colors of the Infantry. The spear, an early Infantry weapon, with flames symbolizes the evolution of massed firepower. The overall design of the patch is symbolic, as it represents the shields once used by the Greek Phalanx and Roman Legions. The yellow flame symbolizes the advent of gunpowder while the flaming red-ball in the middle of the shield designates man's splitting of the atom, thus ushering in the nuclear age. The nickname "Redcatchers" was adopted early on and referred to the units mission of seeking out and destroying the communist reds they were created to combat in Southeast Asia.

Image taken by Robby Gouge

At some point while the Brigade was in-country, most attached units within the 199th produced an unauthorized pocket-patch, flash, or other version of insignia for their particular regiment, company, platoon, etc. This was done to express some sort of esprit de corp or ownership within their unit and the one above was created specifically for Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry, sometime in late 1968. The pocket patch below was worn as a novelty item until the "Hangmen" rotated home at the completion of their tour(s).