When first constituted on 14 June 1944, the 119th Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter) was designated the 81st Transportation Company. Following activation at Brisbane, Australia on 5 Jully 1944, the 81st was active in the Pacific Theater and distinguished itself by providing key logistical support to ground troops engaged in the bitter inland fighting.

  On 1 March 1945, the unit was redesignated the 81st Transportaion Harbor Craft Company, a desinated position it held until it was temporarily deactivated 15 May 1946. Five days before Christmas 1946, the unit was reactivated in Manila and given the mission of supporting the Phillippine scout personnel, a mission it completed with distinction until 1 June 1949, when the unit was once again deactivated.

  A span of almost eight years elapsed until on 12 September 1957, the activation order was given and the 81st Transportation Company returned to active duty status receiving twenty-one CH-21C helicopters at Fort Riley, Kansas. During the next four years of training at Fort Riley, the unit participated in many activities throughout the midwestern United States gaining recognition for its participation in civil action and emergency relief programs.

  In October of 1961 the company began a westward journey that was to eventually end on the central plateau of South Vietnam. An interim stop was made in Hawaii where the company was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. With pre-deployment training completed, the unit received alert orders for a PCS move on the third of August, 1962. From 31 August to 15 October 1962, the 81st Trans successfully moved men and equipment to its new home in Pleiku, RVN.

  On 14 June 1963, the unit was redesignated the 119th Aviation Company (Air Mobile Light) and the infusion of the UH-1 series aircraft began. It was also in June of 1963 that Camp Holloway was dedicated in honor of LT Holloway, the first 81st Trans Aviator killed in action, December 1962.

  In the period from 1963 to the present the 119th has been in support of units within the Two Corps tactical zone. In January of 1969 a MTOE change redesignated the unit the 119th AVN Company (Assault Helicopter). As the second oldest aviation unit in Vietnam the 119th "Alligators" continue to maintain the highest standards of professionalism crew members and support personnel in the world of aviation.

  On 8 December 1960 the 119th AVN Co. (Assault Helicopter) was deactivated at Camp Holloway, Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam, and its colors retired.