One of our main objectives with this page has been to lay out an accurate, complete, and comprehensive history of the 73d. Originally, we thought that assembling the history of the 73d would be a fairly simple task... guess again!

There are several histories of the 73d written here, and there are more on the way. These histories cover many different configurations of the 73d over a wide time line. At the time of writing, they were written by the "current" 73d unit historian. As in everything else we do in this life, these histories (at the time of writing) were subject to human error. For the most part, the unit histories included (HTML formatted from photo copies of the original documents) here were accurate, to the writers standards at the time of writing. When the unit historian wrote these histories, he was limited to the information that was on hand, not to mention the fact that he was thousands of miles from home, and didn't have readily access to U.S. Army "unit historical files" that were back in the United States for reference. We also have to keep in mind that these events mostly took place in the 60's when communications were much less involved than they are today. Computer networks and fax's were not an option at the time.

I have been truly amazed as to what we've been digging out of the historical archives, I think you will be to. This information has been getting pulled out of filing cabinets and old dusty boxes that have rarely been opened, to see a part of our past, so long ago. We will paint a picture here that has never been painted before... the assembly of all this historical information in one place... for all to read.

A different perspective...

Regarding the history of the 73d. The unit histories were written by the unit historian and/or officers tasked. What they write is correct, to a point. The unit history and the unit lineage are similar but separate items.

The unit lineage is based on the units guidon only and not on the assets of the unit. The unit history on the other hand, is based both on it's lineage and it's assets.

On 1 Dec 1968, the 23d was redesignated and activated as the 23d Aviation Detachment. But this time instead of being a Mohawk unit, the 23d would now be an Air Traffic Control unit (Assigned to U.S. Army Pacific, under MTOE 29-500DP07, Level 1 with authorized strength of 3 officers, 2 warrant officers and 18 enlisted - General Orders 107, U.S. Army Pacific, 6 Feb 1969). Which means, as far a lineage, the 23d has no relationship to the 73d, BUT, in history it does. Confused yet???

This whole thing on lineage and history had me confused until it was all completely explained to me. It took a while to get it thru my thick skull, but I understand it now. To get real basic, lineage is a straight line function only. History is a multi-line function. So it comes down to the 23d, 4th ASTA and all the other units contributed their men and equipment to the 73d only as far as lineage is concerned. But the history is made up of the men, equipment and the units.

I started outlining what I was going to write and I realized that I have to start with an explanation of what I was doing. Because otherwise, it sounds like I'm trying to re-write history and also calling the unit historians liars.

After reading the histories we have assembled here, including supporting text, you will be truly enlightened as to what the REAL history of the 73d was/is. So, settle back, and enjoy an adventure back through time... a journey into the history of the "73d Aviation Company."

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John E. Akers

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