The unit was organized in the USA and activated in the Republic of Vietnam in November 1965.  First assigned to Vung Tau and within a year moved to Bien Hoa AB where it remained until Dec. 31, 1970.  The 68^th Assault Helicopter Company (68^th AHC) flew the UH-1 Huey in various models during its existence.  The units flight unit was comprised of two lift platoons (slicks) call sign Top Tigers and one gun ship platoon (gunships) call sign the Mustangs.  The unit was supported by the 391^st Maintenance Detachment, 282^nd Signal Detachment, and the 430^th Medical Detachment.  All unit members in the flight platoons and detachments were know as Top Tigers, the unit like other units used the call signs of Top Tigers and Mustangs to denote the type of ship when flying.

  The unit was part of the 1^st Aviation Brigade "Golden Hawks", under the 12^th Combat Aviation Group (12^th CAG) Saigon & Long Binh III Corps, further assigned to the 145^th Combat Aviation Battalion (Old Warriors) First in Vietnam. 
 

  This is a large 2 inch, heavy coin that was designed to reflect the pride of all Top Tiger Detachments and air crews who flew in the Vietnam War.  The coin has raised images on both sides with color.  The front side shows an image of the unit’s colorful patch with the Vietnam Service Ribbon above.  The lettering highlights the units name at the top and the bottom indicating the years served "In Country".

click on coin for a larger image

  The back of the coin shows two UH-1 helicopters flying over a hot Landing Zone (LZ) with the UH-1D/H about to land US or ARVN troops into the LZ and the units gunships above protecting the ships and troops during the incursion.  The palm trees and nipple palm plants are in green.  The lettering at the top indicates the call signs of the unit’s ships, Top Tigers for the troop carrying slicks and Mustangs for the gun ships.  The bottom lettering pays honor to the men in the detachments that supported the unit and kept the Huey’s flying, the 391^st Maintenance Detachment, 282^nd Signal Detachment, and the 430^th Medical Detachment.