The 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) was a subordinate unit of the 113th Cavalry Group (Mechanized) and sister squadron to the 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) that served in Northwest and Central Europe during World War II. Its primary mission was to conduct mounted/dismounted reconnaissance, security operations, screening/protecting friendly units from enemy interference, and economy of force operations as part of a Corps. It was equipped with Armed Jeeps, M-8 Armored Cars, Halftracks, and 75mm self-propelled Assault Guns to conduct combat operations.
The 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) was activated on 6 February 1944, while in the United Kingdom through a redesignation of 2nd Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment (Mechanized). It entered France over Omaha Beach on 1 July 1944, and it was initially committed to combat operations on 7 July 1944 in the vicinity of St. Jean de Daye, France. It participated in the Normandy Breakout as part of the 113th Cavalry Group (Mechanized); the 113th served as the XIX Corps Reconnaissance element throughout much of the campaign across France, and into Belgium and Germany during the fall of 1944.It crossed the Rhine River back into Germany for the last time on 30 March 1945. The 125th Cavalry Squadron conducted combat operations during the final days of fighting until link-up with Soviet Forces on the Elbe River on 30 April 1945.
The 125th Cavalry Squadron conducted occupation duties in Germany following the cessation of hostilities from 2 May to 19 September 1945.
The 125th Cav Sqdn was credited with four campaign stars for the European-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal; those were Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. The 125th was also cited twice in the Belgian order of the Day (5-8 Sep 1944 and 11 Sep 1944, which entitled it to award of the Belgian Fourragere Two Citation Award in the colors of the Belgian Croix de Guerre.
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