National Yellow Bat Day is a holiday that is celebrated annually on April 21st. This day commemorates the day in 1967 when the Army activated the 265th Army Security Agency Company along with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

This holiday’s name is an allusion to the official insignia of the 265th—which is a bat with outstretched wings on a rising full moon with the motto “Through the Night” below it. The bat is symbolic of this agency’s secretive nature, as it worked under the cover of night. This insignia would be placed on all pieces of military vehicles and equipment used by the agency to aid with its identification.

The History of National Yellow Bat Day

On April 21, 1967, the 265th Army Security Agency (Airborne) was activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. On November 19, 1967, an advance party of this unit was deployed to serve in Vietnam. The rest of the company followed soon after as a part of Operation Eagle Thrust. This unit would end up participating in 13 named campaigns in Vietnam until it was deactivated on April 1, 1972.

This holiday was created by the President of the Sentinel Chapter of the 101st Airborne Division Association, Doug Bonnot. He created this holiday because he and other chapter members are all members of the 265th RRC. This holiday has been observed since 2016.

Observing National Yellow Bat Day

On this holiday, all interested parties should take the time to not only learn about the 265th but also about all of those who served during the Vietnam War. To spread the word about this holiday, people are also encouraged to use the hashtag #NationalYellowBatDay on their social media accounts.