Ia Drang Scholarship Fund

The Ia Drang Scholarship Fund was founded in 1994 by Lt. General Hal Moore (USA-Ret) and Joseph L. Galloway using earnings from their book.

As of 2024, each applicant can get $2,500 per year up to a total of $10,000. This Scholarship Fund is intended to help educate the descendants of the veterans of dead and/or surviving Ia Drang battles so they might better enjoy the blessings of freedom bought at such a terrible price.

The 1st Cavalry Division Association Foundation, a tax-exempt charitable trust, administers the Ia Drang Scholarship Fund. Contributions should be made to “Ia Drang Scholarship Fund” and sent to the address below. All donations are tax-deductible; donations over $250 will be acknowledged with a receipt from The Foundation.

Eligibility;

Children and grandchildren of the men who participated in the 1st CAV Division battles in the Ia Drang Valley at any time from 3 – 19 November 1965. This includes Army soldiers of all branches, US Air Force Forward Air Controllers, and A1E pilots and War Correspondents who were under fire in designated, qualifying units in the battles of the Ia Drang Valley.

Proof should include (any of these): a copy of the individual’s DD Form 214, extracts of official personnel records, copies of Morning Reports, certified/notarized statements of presence in the battle area signed by the unit commanders, certified/notarized statements from battlefield companions, the veteran’s notarized statement of his unit, duty, and actions in the battles and other documentation as appropriate.

Copies of personnel records, Morning Reports, and similar records can be requested from the:

National Personnel Records Center, ATTN: Organizational Records Section, Army Reference Branch, NCPMA-O, 1 Archives Drive, St Louis, MO 63138

Selection of applicants for the award of the Ia Drang Scholarship grants will be made annually by a board comprised of the Command Sergeants Major of 1st CAV Div units acting in their private capacity as members of the 1st CAV Div Association. Individuals may apply and be selected for subsequent awards up to four. Scholarship grants to individuals under more than one eligibility category will not be approved.

Information/applications can be obtained from and donations sent to:

Executive Director
1st CAV Division Association
302 North Main
Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1799

Full list of eligible units:

1-7th Cav, LZ X-Ray, 14-16 November.
2-7th Cav (-), LZ X-Ray 16-17 November LZ Albany 17-19 November.
3rd Platoon, A Company. 2-7th Cav, LZ X-Ray 15-16 November.
1-5th Cav (-), LZ Columbus 18 November (Note: LZ Columbus and LZ Cavalair are the same location).
A Company 1-5th Cav, LZ Columbus 18 November, LZ X-Ray 16-17 Nov, LZ Albany 17-18 November.
B Company 1-5th Cav, LZ Columbus 18 Nov, LZ Albany 17-18 November.
2-5th Cav, LZ X-Ray 15-17 November.
Elements of 1-7th Cav, 2-7th Cav, 1-5th Cav and 2-5th Cav, LZ Falcon 14-18 November.
A Co. 1-8th Cav, LZ Mary 3-4 November, (1-9th Cav ambush).
Elements of A, C, D Companies, Mortar Section, and Battalion Command Group of 2-8th Cav, vicinity of ZA965055 2-1/2 Km Northwest of LZ Cavalair 4 November.
Elements of 1-9th Cav in ambush vicinity LZ Mary, 3-4 November.
Elements of 1-9th Cav which supported at LZ X-Ray, LZ Albany, LZ Mary, LZ Columbus, LZ Falcon or in the 4 November action of 2-8th Cav Northwest of LZ Cavalair.
Artillery FOs and FSCs, Army Aviation Pathfinder Teams, Battalion Surgeons, Platoon Aidmen, Litter Bearers, Battalion Aid Station Personnel, Chaplains and Chaplains Assistants who were on the ground during the 14-18 November fighting at LZ X-Ray, LZ Albany, LZ Columbus, LZ Falcon, the 3-4 November fighting at LZ Mary or in the 4 November action of 2-8th Cav 2-1/2 km NW of LZ Cavalair.
C Battery 2-17th FA at LZ Columbus 15-17 November.
A Battery 2-19th FA in 2-8th Cav action 2-1/2 km NW of LZ Cavalair.
C Battery 2-20 FA in actions at LZ X-Ray, LZ Albany and LZ Columbus 14-18 November.
Elements of A Battery 2-20 FA in the 2-8 Cav action 2-1/2 km NW of Cavalair 4 November and 1-9 Cav ambush at LZ Mary 3-4 November.
A, B and C Batteries and elements of HHB 1-21st FA at LZ Falcon, LZ Columbus 14-18
November.
3rd Brigade Aviation Section, 228th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion and 229 Assault Helicopter Battalion flight crews who flew support missions into LZ X-Ray, LZ Albany, LZ Falcon and LZ Columbus 14-18 November.
229th Assault Helicopter Battalion flight crews who flew support missions in the 2-8 Cav action 2-1/2 km NW of LZ Cavalair 4 November.
2-8 Cav Command Helicopter flight crew and passengers who landed in the battle area of 2-8 Cav in the action 2-1/2 km NW of LZ Cavalair 4 November.
MEDEVAC flight crews who evacuated wounded and dead during the actual fighting from LZ XRay, LZ Albany, LZ Columbus, LZ Falcon 14-18 November or LZ Mary 3-4 November or the 2-8 Cav action 2-1/2 km NW of LZ Cavalair 4 November.
Elements of the 8th Engineer Battalion that supported Infantry, Cavalry or Artillery units at LZ XRay, LZ Albany, LZ Columbus and LZ Falcon 14-18 November, or 2-8 Cav during the action 2-1/2 km NW of LZ Cavalair 4 November, or 1-9 Cav during the ambush vic LZ Mary 3-4 November.
Army Photo and Movie Teams and War Correspondents who were on the ground during the actual fighting at LZ X-Ray, LZ Albany, LZ Columbus, LZ Falcon 14-18 November or LZ Mary 3-4 November or the 2-8 Cav action 2-1/2 km NW of LZ Cavalair 4 November.
Higher Commanders and Staff personnel of 1st Cavalry Division, 3rd Brigade, Division Artillery,
11th Aviation Group and other higher Headquarters who in the performance of their duties had occasion to be on the ground during the actual fighting at LZ X-Ray, LZ Albany, LZ Columbus, LZ Falcon 14-18 November or LZ Mary 3-4 November or the 2-8 Cav action 2-1/2 km NW of LZ Cavalair 4 November.
U.S. Air Force A-1E pilots of the 1st and 602nd Air commando Squadrons. who flew close air support missions at LZ X-Ray, LZ Albany, LZ Mary, LZ Columbus or the 4 November action of 2-8th Cav Northwest of LZ Cavalair.
U.S. Air Force FAC Teams who participated in the actions at LZ X-Ray, LZ Albany, LZ Mary, LZ Columbus or the 4 November action of 2-8th Cav 2-1/2 km NW of LZ Cavalair.

Ia Drang Scholarship Fund

Check Price

Check Price

Check Price

Site Sponsors