147^th Assault Support Helicopter Company - "Hillclimbers" (2nd Design) Vang Tau - The Pocket Patch shown is the second design and was worn from July 1966 to April 1970. The 147^th Aviation Company was activated on 20 June 1965 at Fort Benning, GA. They were assigned to 10^th Aviation Group, 44^th Air Transportation Battalion. The 147^th deployed to South Viet Nam on 8 November 1965 and were assigned to the 222^nd Aviation Battalion and based at Vung Tau AAF. The 147^th was the first CH-47 Chinook Helicopter Unit in Army Aviation. The unit holds the honor of being the first CH-47 Helicopter Unit to fly in South Viet Nam and the first to sling transport a 155mm Howitzer. The 147^th was reassigned to the 1^st Aviation Brigade, 12^th Combat Aviation Group, 11^th Combat Aviation Battalion and begin supporting the 173^rd Airborne and the Royal Australians. In January 1968 the 147^th was reassigned to the 214^th Combat Aviation Battalion. Early in 1970 the 147^th was once again reassigned to the 307^th Combat Aviation Battalion and relocated back to Vung Tau. In 1971 the unit participated in Operation "LAM SON 719" supporting ARVN Units Deployment into Laos. The 147^th Stood-down on 13 February 1972. The 147^th Assault Support Helicopter Company was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.