Vol. 2, Issue 15 August 2011Est. 1919

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THE END IS NEAR36th infantry division completes mission with honor

12 hours with the Roughnecks

“Lone Star” Soldiers make history in U.S. Div. - South

Arrowhead Division’s role in New Dawn comes to an end

This month...

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Three Texas units worked together to close the door on the last chapter of U.S. military involvement in Iraq.

With a unique mission and a complicated handoff to multiple organizations, the 36th Infantry Division headquarters gets ready to pack up and head home, marking the end to an historic deployment.

While many of the thousands of Soldiers and civilians on Contingency Operating Site Kalsu are hiding from the heat in air-conditioned buildings, one platoon of Soldiers is getting ready for a 12-hour mission aimed at preventing an attack on the base.

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The ARROWHEAD is a monthly magazine distributed in electronic and print formats. It is authorized for publication by the 36th Infantry Division Public Affairs. The contents of The ARROWHEAD are unofficial and are not to be considered official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, including the Department of Defense. The ARROWHEAD is a command information publication in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1. The Public Affairs address is: 36th Infantry Division Public Affairs, APO AE 09374. Contact Sgt. 1st Class Merrion LaSonde via e-mail at merrion.lasonde@iraq.centcom.mil, 1st Lt. Adam Musil via e-mail at adam.musil@iraq.centcom.mil or Sgt. Jeremy Spires via email at jeremy.spires@iraq.centcom.mil.

Public Affairs Lt. Col. Eric Atkisson w Editors 1st Lt. Adam Musil, Sgt. 1st Class Merrion LaSonde w Command Information Officer Capt. Donald Larsen w Command Information NCOIC Staff Sgt. Deane Barnhardt w Layout and Design Sgt. Jeremy Spires w Staff Writers Sgt. David Bryant, Spc. Brittany Gardner, Spc. Lisa Soule, Spc. Anthony Zane, Pvt. Andrew Slovensky w Contributing Writers/Photographers Lt. Col. Enrique Villarreal, David, CH (Capt.) Benjamin Bender, Maj. Steven Keihl

Division Commanding GeneralMaj. Gen. Eddy M. Spurgin

Division Command Sergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj. Wilson Early

Photo by 1st Lt. Richard Vogt3rd Bn., 8th Cav. Regt., 3rd AAB, 1st Cav. Div.Cover graphic by Sgt. Jeremy Spires

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Soldiers, service members, and civilians of U.S. Division-South, I want to take this opportunity in the

last issue of the Arrowhead Magazine to thank you for your service and sacrifices over the past nine months and to congratulate you on a job well done. Because of your efforts, Iraq is well on its way to becoming a stable and self-reliant nation, as well as a valuable strategic partner in the Middle East. Don’t underestimate the importance of what you did here. Future generations will look back on your work with pride and thanks, and so should you. You earned it.

It was not that long ago that the 36th Infantry Division headquarters went to Egypt for Operation Bright Star to prepare for this deployment. In the months that followed we picked up a few new members and by September 2010 we had assembled one of the greatest teams to ever deploy from the Texas Military Forces. They were ready to train, ready to learn, and excited about the historic mission on which they were about to embark, as they proved during our rigorous mobilization training at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The new service members, civilians, and units we gained after arriving in Iraq made our team even stronger, and we forged new bonds of friendship and

camaraderie that will last the rest of our lives.There was a unique Texas flavor to our team and I feel

we greatly benefited from it. It is not uncommon for Texas National Guard Soldiers to train with our active-duty counterparts at Fort Hood, so it should be no surprise that our units were able to mesh so well in a combat zone. We are deeply indebted to the unwavering professionalism of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment; 3rd and 1st Brigades, 1st Cavalry Division; 4th Sustainment Brigade; and all of the other units we worked with here to help make the nine southern provinces of Iraq a safer place. Together we proved the value and importance of reserve- and active-component service members working shoulder to shoulder with other agencies like the State Department in common cause: One Team, One Fight.

These efforts did not come without sacrifice. Over the course of 2011 we lost 15 Soldiers to enemy attacks—15 young men who were sons, brothers, and fathers, who had dreams and aspirations of their own that will never be realized. They died as warriors serving in the greatest military of modern times and will deservedly be remembered as heroes. It is up to us to keep their memory alive and to support our Wounded Warriors who returned

home early to begin the long, hard process of physical and emotional recovery. We must not fail them.

Over the past eight months in southern Iraq, a new chapter of history was written—not by historians, but by each and every one of you, the service members and civilians of U.S. Division – South. I have always said that we would return home with success and honor, and you proved me right. Be proud of what you accomplished here and, more importantly, be prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually for the long-awaited reunions with your families back home. For their love and support, and for everything they do for us in so many ways, we owe them more than they can ever know.

Good luck and Godspeed in your future endeavors.

In Spite of Hell!

Parting words from the United States Division - South CommanderMaj. Gen. Eddy M. Spurgin

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TALLIL, Iraq — As the sun sets on the desert horizon, the highways

of southern Iraq empty of civilian traffic. Although the local population begins to go home for the night, a new type of traffic emerges on Iraq’s highways. Long rows of headlights are exiting forward operating bases all across Iraq trucks full of goods going to the Soldiers further north or loaded with equipment heading for Kuwait.

As combat logistic patrols begin their hauls into the dark of night, a small group of vehicles separates from them; vehicles brightly lit but moving slowly and deliberately. These are the improvised explosive device hunters of United States Division-South looking for their next find. The combat engineers of Company C, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, are out in full force to provide critical assured mobility across the GREYWOLF operational environment.

As the only organic combat

engineer company in the brigade, the “Ghostriders” have conducted over 1,000 route clearance missions to date. They have covered over 50,000 kilometers of highways and secondary roads in southern Iraq, searching for IEDs and explosively- formed penetrators. As IED hunters, their task is to put their own safety in jeopardy to ensure it for others. Their missions are anything but short.

They are sometimes on the road for ten continuous hours, scanning every disturbance for deadly IEDs, enduring the 120-degree heat and yet courteous to Iraqi traffic patterns. Because of this, they have enabled the brigade to safely conduct hundreds of combat sustainment and resupply missions, which have supported over 15,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and civilians in southern Iraq.

“Our company conducts 24-hour operations, seven days a week, so we are constantly gathering intelligence from the battlefield to provide our platoons with the best operating

picture for their missions,” said Spc. Christopher Fuentes a native of West Chester, N.Y.

As one of Charlie Company’s Intelligence Support Teams (COIST) lead analysts, Fuentes is responsible for battle-tracking and coordinating assets for seven route clearance teams across 150,000 square kilometers.

Company C recently finished its fifth month of a 12-month deployment to Iraq. As units and equipment begin to move south to Kuwait, the combat engineers of Company C will spearhead their movement.

“It’s a large responsibility to undertake, to actively search for IEDs and clear the roads for the Soldiers behind us, but it’s one that I’m proud to fulfill,” said Pvt. Sean Lee a native of White Plains, N.Y. “I want to be here with my unit, making a difference in the lives of others. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Story and photo by 1st Lt. Peter Thompson3rd BSTB, 3rd AAB, 1st Cav. Div.

soldiers clear the way for operations

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TALLIL, Iraq — It was approaching mid-day, dust had

picked up, and conditions were not the best, but Lt. Col. Robert Wright, commander of Task Force Steel Dragon, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, was determined to help a local sheikh support his tribe when they needed it the most.

A few weeks earlier, Task Force Steel Dragon had downloaded six trucks worth of humanitarian aid in Dhi Qar province. Tons of sugar, beans, flour and tea were lugged through the Steel Dragon assembly line and set up in rows six feet high. The site was impressive and the feat enormous.

The first aid drop was through Sheikh Mahmoud’s tribe and was to be delivered to 30 different families. In one aid packet was a 50-kilogram bag of flour, a bag of beans, sugar, lentils, milk formula,

tea, cans of tomatoes and cooking oil. While United States Forces-Iraq used their resources to make it possible, it was the insistence and leadership of the Iraqi sheikhs and government which helped the idea come to fruition.

Those were the tangibles, but the intangible value was priceless. Children smiled from ear to ear. Families who were struggling through the summer months with little water and food supply were now going to be able to endure the heat of July and August.

As Wright and his Soldiers lifted the packets off the stacks, helped carry the bags of aid to the homes, and smiled as pictures were taken, they offered the softer side of USF-I to people that may otherwise fall victim to the negative propaganda of insurgents.

“This is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate to the local populace our genuine concern for

their well being. We hope that this opportunity will provide the local families the ability to view the U.S. Forces as their friends and partners as we continue to further develop the security situation in Iraq,” said Wright.

Humanitarian aid is not a permanent fix , but the humanitarian aid mission offered proof to the underprivileged in Iraq that the sheikhs and government do care and have their best interests in mind.

The Steel Dragons left a positive footprint on a land which had little hope just eight years earlier under an oppressive regime. In their last few months in Iraq, as their final contribution, they can help place the cornerstones for a brighter future, one bag of sugar at a time.

Steel Dragons partner with local sheikh to support Iraqi familiesStory and photo by 2nd Lt. Christopher Molaro 2nd Bn., 82nd FA Regt., 3d AAB, 1st Cav. Div.

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Soldiers HealthWith the birth and now

growth of Comprehensive Soldier Fitness in the Army, the word resilience continues to take on more meaning and more significance. Resilience is neither a super-human strength nor a soft emotional skill. Rather, it can be defined simply as having the skill to thrive in the midst of challenges and to bounce back from adversity.

I specifically chose the word skill in order to contradict the mistaken belief that resilience is either something you are born with or not. While we cannot discount the influence of genetics, serious research demonstrates that the skills associated with resilience can be trained. In other words, if we struggle with resilience, we can learn, we can grow, we can develop, we can mature, and we can train to become more resilient!

Do some quick research and you will see what I mean. In fact, the Department of Defense believes this research to be valid because we are training the material to our Soldiers in all phases of military education (I earned the additional skill identifier as a Master Resilience Trainer, and we are even kicking off the development of Resilience Trainer Assistance down to the platoon level in the Army). Resilience can not only be trained, but it is critical to the overall development and health of our personnel.

The second word I selected to highlight is thrive. I recently

had the wonderful opportunity to listen to Dr. Martin Seligman lecture on this very topic. In fact, I strongly recommend his new book, Flourish, which highlights the principles of optimism, happiness, well being, and the ability to thrive in spite of the challenges this world throws at us.

During his lecture, Dr. Seligman used the term “post-traumatic growth” and highlighted the reality that we too often assume that trauma or crisis is going to lead to brokenness, failure, disorders, and struggles no matter what.

Dr. Seligman further asserts that not only can we survive trauma and crisis, we can learn, grow, mature, and become stronger, healthier people as we work through these challenges.

So the final word is really two... bounce back. The reality is that we all face adversity and even if we don’t like to admit it, we all fail. If you have access to YouTube, search for a video called “Famous Failures.” The video points out some amazing moments of complete failure for some of the most recognizable success stories in our time.

People like Lucille Ball, Michael Jordan, and even Abraham Lincoln share stories of incredible adversity and painful criticism. The key to their success was learning to “be the ball” and not the egg! When we drop an egg, it breaks... that’s not what we want. When we drop a ball, it bounces! That’s what we

By Maj. Steven Keihl Texas Military Forces Resiliency Team

want... the ability to bounce right back off the floor when tough times find us.

Develop the skill and the ability to bounce back from failure, learn from mistakes, return to the battlefield after a painful loss and attack with renewed energy and fresh strategies. Instead of wallowing in self-pity and accepting defeat, resist the temptation to surrender and found the inner strength to give it another go.

The real issue is not whether we will face adversity but how we will deal with adversity when it comes our way.

Cpl. (Ret.) Donny Daughenbaugh, a resi-dent of Houston, Texas, who was injured in 2004, takes a few moments to talk with Col. Gina Seiler, the 36th Inf. Div. sur-geon, at the U.S. Div. - South Resiliency Center located on Contingency Operating Base Basra. The center provided opportu-nities to focus on comprehensive Soldier fitness. (Photo by Sgt. Jeremy Spires, 36th Inf. Div., USD-S Public Affairs)

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Soldiers Health Every silver lining has a storm cloud

Chaplain’s CornerBy CH (Capt.) Benjamin Bender36th Inf. Div., Deputy Division Chaplain

I learned this one summer afternoon on a road trip from Kansas to Texas. After traveling across Kansas

for several lonely hours in a car with no radio, I began to suffer from a case of severe boredom. That was all about to change, as off in the distance, across the wide-open plains, I saw clouds of the darkest kind gathering on the horizon.

The white tips of those ominous, billowing storm clouds reflected the sun’s rays in such blinding splendor that I could not bear to keep my gaze upon them. I chuckled as I said out loud, “Every silver lining has a storm cloud.” This storm, however, was not nearly as potentially treacherous as the foolish actions I next undertook. Insert disclaimer here: DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ATTEMPT WHAT I AM ABOUT TO DESCRIBE. THIS STUNT WAS PERFORMED BY A TRAINED, PROFESSIONAL IDIOT!

You know the moment when it begins to rain and those first few raindrops fall on your windshield in just enough quantity to smear a film of dust and dirt all over the glass, but not in enough quantity to turn on the windshield wipers because doing so would only spread this opaque mixture of dust and water across the entire windshield, making it completely impossible to see?

At this point, most people would simply wash off the muck with windshield-wiper fluid and then turn on the wipers. My car didn’t have a radio. Do you really think my car had windshield-wiper fluid? It was in this moment of windshield-wiper purgatory that I was struck with a flash of brilliance.

I decided it would be fun to see how long I could drive through this storm without turning on the wipers. I ask you to refer once again to the aforementioned disclaimer! At first, it was not too challenging, but as the storm intensified, I found it increasingly difficult to see. The more the glass on my windshield was covered with raindrops, the greater effort it took for me to look beyond the raindrops to keep my focus on the bigger picture.

I discovered that therein lay the key to making it

through the storm—looking beyond the raindrops. I found that it was easier to concentrate on the drops of water pouring down on my windshield than it was to concentrate on the bigger picture. As I focused on the raindrops my vision would become completely obscured. All I could see were raindrops. I would lose sight of the signs, my surroundings, the very road itself. If there had been any cars on the road at the time, I would have lost sight of them as well.

I was at very great risk of losing my way, getting off track, and yes, losing my very life, all by focusing solely upon the raindrops. When I felt this risk rising to levels I could no longer tolerate (a form of solitaire chicken), I would blink, refocus my eyes, look past the raindrops and, once again, regain sight of the bigger picture.

In an instant, though blurry, I could see the road, the signs, and my surroundings. In short, I rediscovered my way. It was all a matter of perspective. The raindrops were nothing more than what I made them out to be. I could make them all consuming, overwhelming, and vision blocking, or I could make them out to be what they really were, small drops of water against the backdrop of the bigger picture. I could make them so simply by adjusting my focus.

This is what Paul meant when he wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

The secret to not losing heart in the struggle, the key to not quitting the mission, the principal means of daily, inward renewal, is to fix your eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. Fix your eyes not on your temporary problems but on what your problems are achieving for you, an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Keep your eyes on the prize.

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12 hours with the Roughnecks

BABIL PROVINCE, Iraq – It is noon on a day when the

high temperature in southern Iraq is forecast to reach 124 degrees. Searing winds carry fine dust that stings the eyes.

When many of the thousands of Soldiers and civilians on Contingency Operating Site Kalsu are hiding from the heat in air-conditioned buildings,

one platoon of Soldiers is getting ready for a 12-hour mission aimed at preventing an attack on the base.

Troopers of 1st Platoon “Roughnecks,” Troop C, 1st Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, are preparing to spend their day patrolling areas around Kalsu where improvised rocket-assisted munitions could be fired.

While an IRAM can be a significant threat to U.S. bases in Iraq, the platoon faces other dangers during the day’s mission.

“We have to focus on the counter-IRAM mission out here, but we also have a major concern with improvised explosive devices on the roads we travel,” said Capt. Elijah B. Stamps, the platoon leader, who hails from Hot Springs, Ark. “An IED is still the main threat for us during our travels. Myself and the rest of the platoon look for ways to mitigate that threat every time we roll out.”

The platoon executes their patrols and also conducts observance missions from inside the base, scanning local areas for threats. While out on rural roads surrounding

Kalsu, the platoon checks routes that weave in and out of a maze of scattered farmland, with irrigation ditches that zigzag across miles of open fields.

With consent from local farmers who support the American presence, cable barriers have been set across certain access areas that could provide opportunity to would-be attackers. Soldiers spent the first few hot hours of the day checking them.

“We set these barriers up to prevent certain vehicles from traveling these roads,” Stamps said. “Some local Iraqis have keys to the locks so that they are not hindered from handling normal business during the day.”

Long hours pass during the mission as the Soldiers watch for suspicious vehicles or activity. While some Soldiers engage in light conversation or an occasional joke about one another, there are always several sets of eyes scanning incessantly for anything that looks out of place.

Stamps said they look at the areas they are in and examine ways that they can improve their visibility.

Every Soldier in the platoon plays

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Garrett Ralston3rd ACR Public Affairs

Capt. Elijah B. Stamps, a platoon leader with C Troop, 1st Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment observes as a cable is securely locked to a barrier on a road near Contingency Operating Site Kalsu.

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a vital role each day in ensuring the mission’s total success.

Each of the humvees the platoon takes out on the road has a crew, and each member must know his specific responsibilities. Pfc. Aaron Medina, a vehicle driver, originally from Greely Colo., talked about his daily duties.

“As I drive around from one place to another, I have to look out for anything that poses a hazard to the truck or my crew,” he said. “I also have to make sure the vehicle is ready before each mission. Every part of the truck has to be in good shape because a breakdown during the day means someone has to come out to recover us, putting additional Soldiers in harm’s way.”

As the platoon made its way around to check the barriers, they were greeted by local passersby and talked with them about recent activity in the area. Most said they hadn’t seen anything of interest and went on their way. Soldiers spoke with a few of the men and reminded them that the cables must stay locked unless it is to let someone they know get through.

“We have a great rapport with the local people,” Stamps said. “A lot of these guys know me and my Soldiers by name and we’ve come to have a really positive working relationship.”

More hours passed and more barriers were checked. One barrier appeared to be damaged and some of the men were employed to fix the broken end. After the cable was reconnected a Soldier sat on the wire rope to ensure its strength.

Suddenly, laughter broke out among the platoon as Stamps, attempting to photograph the repaired cable, fell over a dirt mound and tumbled onto his side.

“Okay everyone, there you go,” Stamps said as he brushed himself off. “That’s the one bit of comedy

you get from me today.”As the sun faded the Soldiers

moved on and drove a few miles to pay a visit to a local farmer. Once at the farmer’s residence, Soldiers discussed some of his daily issues, offered assistance where it could be helpful and inquired about suspicious activity on his land. The farmer said a fisherman he did not know was seen recently, but seemed harmless to him.

While the short meeting carried on, the farmer’s generator repeatedly failed, so the conversation continued, first by lantern light, then a flashlight. Once the generator restored power, life came back into the fluorescent ceiling lights, and the meeting drew to a close.

Soldiers quietly made their way back to the trucks and moved away into the darkness, followed only by the sound of a barking dog in the distance.

“We rely on many of the local farmers to keep us informed on what goes on in the area when we aren’t around,” said Sgt. Lance Bradford, a section sergeant in the platoon and a native of Carrollton, Texas. “The farmers know almost everyone in the area and also get extensive information on the men they hire to work on their land.”

With the full moon overhead, a tired platoon stopped off to see another man whose property was damaged in a previous attack on Kalsu. A single terrorist rocket that overshot the base struck the man’s water tank, emptying its contents and disturbing the family’s peace. Some food and drinks were given to the Soldiers and, after another meeting with friendly residents, the platoon was finally nearing the end of the 12-hour patrol.

Despite the extreme environment, inherent danger and monotony of the daily missions, the Roughnecks operate without missing a beat. Not a single Soldier complains of the tiring conditions, and many simply pass the day with conversation about the first thing they want to do upon returning to Texas.

“Our platoon is so strong because of our camaraderie,” said Stamps. “Many of my Soldiers are new and have come out here straight from basic training. We haven’t had the luxury of training for this mission as one consistent group long before the deployment, but we have come together and we keep each other going for every mission, every day.”

Spc. Cody Kluthe, a machine gunner with Troop C, 1st Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment scans a section of farmland for potential threats to Contingency Operating Site Kalsu July, 17. Kluthe and the rest of the 1st platoon “Roughnecks” spend 12 hours every other day traveling roads near the base to prevent indirect fire attacks from enemy forces.

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BASRAH, Iraq – Sept. 7, 2011 will mark the end of a unique

chapter in U.S. military history in which three historic Texas-based units—the 36th Infantry Division, the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, and two brigades of the 1st Cavalry Division—played a leading role.

The Fighting 36th, a National Guard division from Camp Mabry, in Austin, deployed its headquarters to Iraq in December and assumed command of U.S. Division – South on Jan. 2, 2011, making it responsible for more than 7,000 active-duty Soldiers from the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment of Fort Hood and the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division of Fort Carson, Colo. operating in the nine southern provinces of Iraq. When the 3rd Bde., 1st Cav. Div. from Fort Hood replaced their counterparts from the 4th Inf. Div. in February, it became part of one of the largest concentrations of Texas-based Guardsmen and Soldiers deployed overseas since

World War II. The 36th “Panther” Division, as

it was originally called, was first activated in 1917 from elements of the Texas and Oklahoma National Guards, with the T in the division patch representing the State of Texas and the flint arrowhead representing Oklahoma and its Native American heritage. That heritage provided a critical advantage during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I, when the 36th became the first unit to ever employ Native American

“code talkers” thanks to the Choctaw Indians from Oklahoma serving in its ranks. The unit was discharged in 1919, only to be reactivated for World War II, where the 36th became the first American unit to land on mainland Europe during the invasion of Salerno, Italy in September 1943.

The Soldiers of the 36th saw heavy fighting throughout Italy, from Salerno to San Pietro, the Rapido River, Cassino, Anzio and finally Velletri, where it won a signal victory that opened the door to Rome for Allied forces. The

division then landed in southern France and advanced up to Germany itself, seeing action at Haguenau, Oberhofen and Wissembourg before helping

liberate the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau. After the war

ended, the division returned to Texas and was eventually replaced

by the 49th Armored Division, reflecting the military’s new

emphasis on heavy forces to counter a potential Soviet threat to Germany. Soldiers of the 49th

served throughout the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf

“Lone Star” Soldiers make history in U.S. Div. - South

By Sgt. David A. Bryant36th Inf. Div., USD-S Public AffairsContributing writer Sgt. Thomas KappusPhoto illustrations by Sgt. Jeremy Spires

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War, and the Global War on Terror until May 1, 2004, when the division was deactivated and the 36th Inf. Div. reborn; the Arrowhead Colors would once again fly over the division headquarters at Camp Mabry, in the state capitol, after more than half a century.

Elements of the division immediately deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, and in 2009 the division headquarters was chosen to become only the third Army National Guard unit to command U.S. Forces in Iraq.

“The Texas National Guard and the 36th ID sought this mission,” said Lt. Col. Enrique Villarreal, the division command historian and a seventh-generation Texan from

Falfurrias, Texas, “which is reflected in the professionalism of the men and women who comprise the division.”

“It means the guard as a whole has shifted from a strategic reserve to an operational reserve, able to ‘plug and play’ in the modular system of fielding units for any mission the Army needs to accomplish.”

Serving with active-duty units like the 3d ACR and 1st Cav. is nothing new for Texas citizen-soldiers, added Villarreal, a 48-year-old historian

working on his degree in American military history. Texas Rangers, he points out, fought beside members of the 3d Cavalry Regiment during the U.S. war with Mexico in 1846. The regiment, which became “armored” after WWII, later served under the 49th

AD in 2000 during operations in Bosnia—the first time a National Guard unit had command authority over active-component units and a multinational force since 1945. Coincidentally, one of the 49th’s battalions – 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment – served under the 1st Cav. during the 1980s and again in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

The 3d ACR already had a long and distinguished history before

“”

Maj. Gen. Eddy Spurgin, the 36th Inf. Div. commander, speaks with a senior Iraqi Army officer before the start of a training exercise in U.S. Div. - South. (U.S. Army photo)

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moving to Fort Hood in July 2006. Organized by Congress in 1846, the regiment became the first unit in the U.S. Army to utilize mounted riflemen; they provided the Army longer range and more powerful weapons than the smoothbore muskets used by the infantry and cavalry of the time.

Originally tasked to establish military stations on the route to Oregon, the Mexican-American War broke out and the regiment was rushed south to begin a long-term association with Texas Military Forces. Their legendary exploits prompted General Winfield Scott to proclaim, “Brave Rifles! Veterans! You have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel.” Henceforth the regiment would be known as the “Brave Rifles,” and their motto would be

“Blood and Steel.”They fought at the battle of

Little Big Horn and accepted the surrender of Geronimo. They were one of the first units to deploy overseas to the “Great War” and provided the cavalry escort for the burial of the Unknown Soldier at

Arlington Cemetery, standing guard over the tomb until World War II. Re-designated the 3d Cavalry Group (Mechanized), they were among the first Allied units to enter Germany and became the first troops to cross the Alps since Hannibal’s in 215 B.C. Once they returned to the U.S., the group was organized into an armored cavalry regiment – a designation the unit bears with pride to this day.

The 3d ACR engaged in the first ground combat in Iraq on Jan. 22, 1991. The next month, the regiment moved over 300 kilometers in 100 hours, leaving the remnants of three Iraqi Republican Guard Divisions in its wake. After Sept. 11, 2001, the regiment returned to Iraq for two separate tours before deploying for Operation New Dawn in 2010.

“Those serving today are making history; both overseas and at home. They are writing the next chapters in the story of the Texas

Military Forces.”Lt. Col. Enrique Villarreal,

Division Command Historian

Sgt. Christopher Mendez, 1st Cavalry Division, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, secures a M-915 A3 line haul tractor to the bed of a wreck-er during a training exercise at Contingency Operating Basra, Aug. 6. (Photo by Pvt. Andrew Slovensky, 362nd MPAD, USD-S Public Affairs)

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The 3rd Bde., 1st Cav. Div. was created at the same time as the 36th Division and saw action in many of the same places as the Panther Division during the two world wars. Like many units, it was deactivated after World War II, and the brigade colors would not fly again until 1963 when the 1st Cav. Div. was sent to the Demilitarized Zone in Korea.

During the conflict in Vietnam they fought ferociously at Quo Nhon, the Ia Drang Valley, and the An Lap Basin and did not return to the U.S. until 1972, when they rejoined the 1st Cav. at Fort Hood and became officially known as the “Greywolf” Brigade.

The unit was once again deactivated in 1980 and remained on the inactive roles until 1991 for Desert Storm. They gained distinction in 1996 when the unit redeployed to Kuwait for Operation Desert Strike as the first brigade-sized deployment to the small nation since the Gulf War.

The brigade returned to Iraq on three tours of duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom. During their third deployment, the Greywolf Brigade began transitioning security primacy within Mosul and Tal Afar to the Iraqi Security Forces, gaining valuable experience for their mission in Operation New Dawn.

Together, these Texas units brought more than 350 years of combined experience to U.S. Div.-South during the final year of U.S. military involvement in Iraq. As the Dec. 31, 2011 deadline for withdrawal drew near, in accordance with the 2008 security agreement between the United States and Iraq, the division’s Soldiers

worked hard to advise and assist the Iraqi Security Forces; account for and move billions of dollars worth of military material back to the States; and transfer bases, buildings and hundreds of millions of dollars worth

of equipment to their counterparts in the ISF.

“One of the

things those in uniform today often overlook is that the story of the Texas Military Forces is not locked in the past,” said Jeff Hunt, director the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry. “It isn’t just the story of the Texas Revolution, the War Between the States, World War I, World War II, Korea or Vietnam. Those serving today are making

history; both overseas and at home. They are writing the next chapters in the story of the Texas Military Forces.”

The Fighting 36th, Brave Rifles and Greywolf Brigade once again helped write that history. As Jefferson Davis once

proclaimed, “The troops of other states have their reputation

to gain. The sons of the Alamo have theirs to maintain.”

Maj. Gen. Eddy Spurgin (left) and 3d ACR commander, Col. Reginald E. Allen (right), speak with a member of the Iraqi Army (center) before the opening ceremony of the resiliency center on Contingency Operating Site Kalsu, February 2011. (Photo by Sgt. James Benjamin, 305th MPAD, USD-S Public Affairs)

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Six years of success in southern Iraq

BABIL PROVINCE, Iraq — In August, the Babil Provincial

Reconstruction Team, closed its doors on Contingency Operating Site Kalsu, leaving behind a trail of success that spans six years.

Throughout the years, the Babil PRT witnessed the completion of 3,678 projects for the economic infrastructure, governance, heritage, public diplomacy, essential services and the rule of law, bringing greater stability and growth to the province.

With over $544 million spent in Babil, much has been improved and accomplished. Members of the PRT stated that economic growth has been particularly strong as a result.

Agriculture and tourism are strong and have great potential to grow, said Dr. Rick Roberts, the Babil PRT leader.

From the efforts of the PRT, Babil has become the land of fish and honey. The province is the leading producer of these items, supporting more than

70 percent of total production across the country.

We see operations both big and small for beekeeping, said Roberts. From widows with young children caring for a single hive to farms with multiple hives, there are many who benefit from this.

With the Euphrates River lower than many have seen in years, fish farmers are now using methods to grow their fish without removing water from this main source. Instead, they are building cages to grow them right in the river itself.

The PRT also helped citizens of Babil realize the vast tourism possibilities in the area. Thanks to funds they provided for improving many of Babil historic sites, the sites can now begin to draw local visitors as well as people from outside the province and, quite possibly, outside Iraq.

Roberts and his team provided instruction to those responsible for

the now completed historic Babylon Ruins site to help them develop their tourism program.

We designed sample guides that showed what people in the area could see inside the museum and on the grounds of the ruins, said Roberts. They can capitalize on bringing in the many thousands of religious pilgrims passing through each year and have the ruins be another resting point along the route.

Along with agriculture and tourism, rule of law development was a focal point for the PRT, as seen in the recently completed Hillah courthouse project.

The project broke ground in 2006 and was first completed in 2010, but upon inspection, the original construction had some flaws. Iraqi engineers were unable to identify the whereabouts of the original contractor, and the building sat for over a year, unoccupied.

The PRT and Iraqi engineers

The newly unveiled Hillah Courthouse, with brightly painted walls and large columns, June 18. Members of the Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team and Iraqi engineers worked diligently over several years to complete the $7 million structure that will serve as a hub for the rule of law in Babil.

Mission complete for U.S. reconstruction teamStory and photos by Staff Sgt. Garrett Ralston3d ACR, USD-S Public Affairs

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dedicated many months to identifying the projects‚ shortcomings, trying to attain additional funding, and looking for a new contractor to finish the building.

The PRT received a lot of support from the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment in Babil province. The 3d ACR arrived in 2010, and Col. Reginald E. Allen, the regimental commander, met with the PRT to discuss the completion of the courthouse and other projects.

Colonel Allen told me that the courthouse was a priority and was crucial to the progression of Iraqi rule of law in Babil, said Lou Simonetti, a PRT engineering team leader from Baltimore. I was able to get the regiment to allocate the funds, and we started once again to finish the building.

A new contracting team was assembled and work began to finish the project that many once considered a lost cause. Some of the Iraqi contractors believed the courthouse would take years to complete, but with teams working days and sometimes nights, the loose ends began falling together.

Almost a year after work began a second time on the practically

abandoned building, it now stands high on the horizon with decorative tile fountains spraying water into the air, brightly painted walls and columns supporting a crowned roofline and a large dome in the center.

Working here in Iraq with the PRT you got to see change in real time, said Roberts. Typically projects within the diplomacy arena can run 10 years before they bear fruit. In two years here I saw industries take off and

thrive as a result of our efforts and that kind of positive reinforcement is what made this worthwhile.

Roberts also cited one special ingredient that made all of these things possible.

The support we got from the Soldiers of the 3d ACR is amazing, he said. They have always done the impossible to make sure we have transportation and security and our job couldn’t have been done without their enthusiastic support.

Framed and backlit photo illustrations hang on a wall in the newly renovated Babil Museum during an opening ceremony held July 3. The newly renovated museum features these and other attractions such as a brick wall emblazoned with the Lion of Babylon, a large-scale model of the old city, and lighted panels with ancient writings from the city.

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New DawN

Photo by Spc. Eve Ililau305th MPAD, USD-S Public Affairs

Story by Sgt. David A. Bryant36th Inf. Div., USD-S Public Affairs

comes to an end

operatioNarrowhead division,

For the

17

BASRAH, Iraq – Probably the three most longed-for words a

Soldier deployed overseas wants to hear are, “Let’s go home.”

For the average Soldier, this means choosing which of the many items bought over the course of the deployment should get packed, deciding how much to sell the 220-volt electronics for, and squeezing the rest into duffel bags and backpacks.

Unfortunately, it’s not quite that easy to move entire units back to the United States; particularly a headquarters like the 36th Infantry Division’s, from Austin, Texas, which took command of U.S. Division-South January 2, 2011.

With a unique mission and a complicated handoff to multiple organizations – including the Department of State – a lot of hard work takes place behind the scenes that many Soldiers probably don’t see or appreciate.

The process of returning to the States begins at the division level early on in the deployment, when the division staff is briefed on what needs to occur at what time, said Sgt. Maj. Lori Garcia, division transportation office sergeant major. Those guidelines are then given to the battalion for implementation.

“The division transportation office provides oversight of the redeployment; the dates and timelines of when the units are going to move,” Garcia, of San Antonio, said. “We give the (division special troops battalion) the guidance and they execute the plans by getting all the equipment staying in country turned in and packing up everything that is going back with us.”

“We at the division level do all the staff planning and pre-planning,” added the 30-year military veteran, “and the DSTB Soldiers execute all

the hard labor of getting everything loaded and getting us home.”

One of the most important parts of the process of getting Soldiers home is properly accounting for and clearing the property books, the lists of organizational equipment organic to a unit and theater-provided equipment signed for by units when they arrived at their deployment location. Everything from hand-held radios to high-dollar military vehicles and aircraft is listed on the property books and must be accounted for prior to a unit redeploying, said Michael Konor, U.S. Div.-South Logistics Support Element.

“My office here assists units with recovery by helping setting up, giving (rehearsal of concept) drills and providing materiel support to programs such as the mobile recovery team,” said Konor, a Department of the Army civilian with the 402nd Army Field S u p p o r t B r i g a d e , a unit run by Army M a t e r i e l Command. “They can turn in almost any kind of excess equipment that isn’t signed for on someone’s property book (to the MRT) so it can be properly disposed of or reutilized. Instead of units dumping that stuff in a dumpster somewhere, it gets processed and sent out to different locations and sorted.”

“I’ve turned in six very good metal filing cabinets myself; I’m sure someone somewhere can use those,” added Konor, who is from Killeen, Texas. “My guys clean the stuff up, pack it and get it shipped to where it needs to go.”

Logistics Support Element makes sure all paperwork has been properly filled out to transfer theater equipment between units leaving Iraq and those that are staying until the final withdrawal of military forces December 31, Konor said. Those units, and the Department of State, choose the equipment they will need to assist them with their mission and the LSE ensures a smooth transfer.

“This process also allows the 36th ID to retain any items of TPE they may wish to take back with them by transferring it to their organizational equipment property books, which really helps out back at home station,” said Konor. “This helps reutilize excess equipment not needed in theater that can best be used back home.”

The DSTB supply and logistics section assumes a large portion of the responsibility for the redeployment.

The S-4 shop, as Soldiers commonly call it, accounts for and turns in the personal property – chemical masks, weapons and personal protective equipment – of all 36th Division Soldiers deployed to Iraq, said Sgt. 1st Class Amanda Roberts, supply and logistics non-commissioned officer-in-charge.

“Other than that, we take care of the accountability of all the organizational property and the TPE books; packing them up, organizing them and making sure the paperwork is done and then transferring it back

“They are the ones that organize it, they’re the ones slaving away in the

connex containers loading and packing … they come in early and they stay late.”

Sgt. 1st Class Amanda Roberts,speaking about the supply sergeants of the division special troops battalion.

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to the States,” said Roberts, a native of Pflugerville, Texas. “We clear all of our accounts; contracting, DHL (shipping) and clothing. We also clear the accounts for everything in Basrah, (Contingency Operating Base) Adder and in Kuwait where we have Soldiers. That’s every (account) from ordering, receiving, Class Eight medical supplies and all contracts.”

When it comes to putting the plan to redeploy into action, however, it is the company supply sergeants that make everything work, said

Roberts.“They are the ones that organize

it, they’re the ones slaving away in the connex containers loading and packing … they come in early and they stay late,” she added. “They make the appointment deadlines, so the supply sergeants are definitely the ones driving the train.”

As one of the Soldiers performing the difficult labor of packing, Staff Sgt. Aaron Jackson, a geospatial engineer serving as the assistant unit movement officer for Bravo Company, said the loading process

is a team effort between the companies.

“Each of the companies helps the other out by making sure everyone has all the equipment on their unit property books,” Jackson, a native of Washington, D.C, explained. “With all the various missions we perform, we tend to borrow equipment from each other a lot, so we help ensure everything gets back to where it belongs.”

The company movement officers and supply sergeants separate organic equipment that needs to be upgraded or sent in for maintenance from equipment that can return directly to Camp Mabry, in Austin, before loading it into the

connex shipping containers, he said. They also ensure TPE equipment is set aside for redistribution; once TPE items are designated to transfer to the companies and placed on the unit organizational property books, they pack it for shipment as well.

“Everything goes through inspections by customs before the seals are placed on the connex containers and shipped out,” said Jackson. “That way no contraband is sent back and it makes sure we don’t misuse government funds by shipping unauthorized personal items at government expense.”

Clearing customs is an integral part of redeployment; no one goes home until the inspectors have given the stamp of approval, said Sgt. 1st Class Erasmo Esteves, U.S. Div.-South customs program manager. The customs process is not only required to ensure historic local artifacts don’t leave the country, but also to protect the native ecosystem back in the states.

“We go through organizational equipment, TPE, individual Soldier’s personal gear – everything. We’re just trying to make sure you don’t take anything you’re not supposed to,” Esteves, a military policeman from Diboll, Texas, said. “We’re also looking for an accumulation of dirt and dust so it doesn’t bring back contaminates to the States. We understand we can’t get everything, but we try to minimize it because we don’t know what kinds of viruses or bugs may be contained in that dirt that could cause environmental damage to our native fauna and wildlife back home.”

Many items purchased at local markets cannot be shipped back to the States either, he added. They are often made with horsehair, bone or plant life – such as hats made out of palm fronds – and may contain

Sgt. Chad Neuman, C Company supply sergeant, 36th Division Special Troops Battalion, separates biological/chemical suit parts for inventory as part of the process of packing up his company’s equipment for redeployment to Texas. The Round Rock, Texas native is a former active-duty Army truck driver who transferred to supply when he joined the National Guard. Operation New Dawn was his first opportunity to perform his new job in a combat environment. (Photo by Sgt. David A. Bryant, 36th Inf. Div., USD-S Public Affairs)

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contaminates harmful to a foreign environment.

“We don’t know what critters are in the sand or these products, so the best policy is to not let them into the U.S.,” said Esteves. “If it gets there, we start spending millions of dollars to eradicate whatever new species or bug is introduced into our ecology that could overtake our native system.”

Once the equipment and Soldiers are packed, approved by customs and ready to go, the final piece of the redeployment puzzle is the transfer of the physical property and land on COB Basra to the Department of State and the Government of Iraq. The base is a conglomeration of multiple life support areas, each comprised of living units for personnel, recreational areas, shower and restroom trailers, and the generators and water containers required to run them.

The mayor cell, operated by 36th DSTB personnel, is in charge of readying the base for transfer, said Cpt. Erik Sateren, the division mayor cell environmental compliance officer.

“It’s mainly a huge coordination aspect of getting all personnel out, their (Combat Housing Units) cleared, all vehicles moved and connex containers staged in accordance with the plan for transition of the COB and its eventual transfer to Department of State and GOI,” said Sateren, a native of Fargo, N.D. “When we leave, it will be a huge change from a division headquarters to

pretty much just base operations and creating additional space for incoming Department of State personnel.”

Mayor cell Soldiers created the plan for living conditions on the base through the end of the year, both for incoming personnel and the Soldiers who will remain until

the end of 2011 to ensure the land is returned pristine to the Government of Iraq, he added.

“We know every detail of the post. We know what areas are accounted for and what is prepared for other’s use,” said Sateren. “(The

mayor cell) personnel are the subject matter experts on everything going on. They are doing (a) great job. They deal with everyone – Army, Department of State, contractors, the British Consulate – and try to make everyone happy. And they still have a good attitude doing it.”

It’s a large job, but when it comes to getting everything put together so the Soldiers of the 36th can redeploy to Texas, Roberts said it is smooth sailing.

“We’ve had some rough moments, but we’ve already shipped 14 containers home and are working on the next

30 or 40 of them,” she said. “Things are on schedule as far as packing and the paperwork is getting scrubbed. We’re well on our way to getting out of here.”

Connex containers stand ready for final inspection and eventual shipment to Texas at the ‘Longhorn Corral’ on Contingency Operating Base Basra. The containers are filled with organizational equipment belonging to the 36th Division Special Troops Battalion, which is scheduled to return to Camp Mabry, Austin, after serving as the headquarters element for U.S. Division-South during Operation New Dawn. (Photo by Sgt. David A. Bryant, 36th Inf. Div., USD-S Public Affairs)

“We know every detail of the post. We know what areas are accounted for and what is prepared for other’s use.”

— Capt. Erik Satereen

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One World

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are considered one of the seven

wonders of the ancient world as both a marvel of construction and hydro-engineering. They were built in the ancient city-state of Babylon near the contemporary city of Al Hillah in Babil Province, Iraq.

The garden was commissioned by Nebuchadnezzar II, built between the years of 604-562 B.C. He wished to please his homesick Median wife, Amyitis, whom he had married to make an alliance between Media (located in Iran) and Babylonia. Amyitis longed for the meadows and mountains of her homeland, and she found Mesopotamia depressing, as it is a

flat and sun-baked environment.According to ancient Greeks

the Hanging Gardens had plants cultivated above ground level, and the roots of the trees were embedded in an upper terrace rather than in the earth. The whole mass was supported on stone columns with streams of water emerging from elevated sources flowing down sloping channels.

These waters irrigate the whole garden, saturating the roots of plants and keeping the whole area moist. For this reason the grass was permanently green and the leaves of trees grew firmly attached to supple branches. The gardens were around 400 feet wide by 400 feet long and

were an estimated 80 feet high. Although the hanging Gardens

did not really “hang” in the exact sense of being suspended from cables or ropes, the origin of the name is an inexact translation of the Greek word “kremastos,” which means “overhanging,” such as a terrace or balcony.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon lasted through the time of Alexander the Great. This great masterpiece, with its keen architectural style, cleverness in hydro-engineering, lush, flourishing plants and well-constructed landscape holds its place in history among the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Story and photos courtesy of “David”36th Inf. Div. Interpreter, USD-S Public Affairs

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

http://wondersoftheworld.freevar.com/Gallery/Image/Babylon

One People

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Al-Faw peninsula Story and photos courtesy of “ David”36th Inf. Div. Interpreter, USD-S Public Affairs

Al-Faw peninsula is a marshy region adjoining the Gulf and

is part of the Basrah province, in the extreme southeast of Iraq. The peninsula is lightly populated and has been famous for planting date palm, henna or camphire trees. Its principal importance is its strategic location, controlling access to the Shatt Al-Arab waterway and thus access to the ports of Basrah. Al-Faw peninsula was the scene of several military operations during World War I, the Iraq-Iran War and Gulf War.

The most important town on the peninsula is Umm Qasr, a fishing town that also has a commercial port and an Iraqi Navy base. In addition, Al-Faw is the site of major oil installations, such as Iraq’s two

main oil tanker terminals: Khor Al-Amaya and Basrah Oil Terminal.

Al-Faw Grand Port is supposed to be built soon on the coast of Al-Faw in the area called Ras Al-Bayshah. The government of Iraq decided to build the port to be one of the largest in the Gulf and Middle East. It is believed that when that port is completed, it will reduce transport and shipping costs between Europe and Asia. It will also activate trade and economic activity in Iraq and will raise trade exchange activities for the world. The estimated cost of the

project is about (U.S. $6.31 billion) 7.38 trillion Iraqi dinars, and it is expected to take about four years to complete.

Economists think that due to the strategic position of Al-Faw Grand Port, there is a great possibility that it would be the main rival or even the preeminent substitute for Egypt’s Suez Canal, which is a principal

route for transportation between the East and the West.

Recently, Kuwait started building the Mubarak Port on Bubiyan Island, next to Al-Faw peninsula. Basrawis and most Iraqis in general consider Mubarak Port controversial because they think it would block Iraqi access to shipping lanes from the southern ports in Basrah.

The project of Al-Faw Grand Port might face even more challenges and competitions in the future from other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, and even South Africa.

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On May 9, 1916, the Texas National Guard was called into federal service by proclamation of the president

and served on the Mexican Border until March 25, 1917, when it was mustered out. Five days later, however, the Texas Guard was recalled to service and again sent to the border in reaction to the Zimmerman telegram enticing Mexico to join the Germans by invading the United States. On April 6, 1917, the United States would entered the Great War on the side of the Allies.

To organize the National Guard divisions, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson had to gain the cooperation of state governors who controlled the Guard units until federalized. Captain Moseley devised a system to divide the nation into twelve geographic districts, each with an infantry division. To organize the divisions, the Army Staff adopted the Militia Bureau’s scheme developed following after passage of the National Defense Act.

Between Aug. 22, 1917 and Jan. 5, 1918, the Army Staff authorized one cavalry and three additional infantry divisions, for a total of forty-three divisions. Initially, Texas was to be part of the 15th Division along with Arkansas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Louisiana. As the summer of 1917 advanced, the War Department announced additional details.

The War College Division and the adjutant general created yet another system for designating divisions and brigades and their assigned elements. Divisions were to be numbered 1 through 25 in the Regular Army, 26 through 75 in the National Guard, and 76 and above in the National Army.

In July it identified specific states to support the first 16 National Guard and the first 16 National Army divisions and designated the camps where they would train. At that time the department announced that the designations of the National Guard’s 5th through 20th divisions were to be

changed to the 26th through the 41st to conform to the new numbering system.

As a result, on July 18, 1917 these units were entered into the Army rolls with the new numbering system with Texas and Oklahoma National Guard regiments designated to form the 36th Division. The two States’ Guards had been drafted into the army of the United States by proclamation of the president on Aug. 5, 1917, and were mobilized at Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, Texas, between August 25 and October 15 of that year. The consolidation and rearrangement of the units of the National Guard organization into the new divisional organization prescribed by the Tables of Organization of Aug. 1917 was finally completed on Oct. 15, 1917.

At the time of its mobilization, the National Guard of Texas had a total strength of approximately 18,000 officers and men, and was composed of two Infantry brigades and a number of separate organizations. The 1st Infantry Brigade consisted of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Regiments of Texas Infantry. The 2nd Infantry Brigade was composed of the 1st, 5th, and 6th Regiments of Texas Infantry. The National Guard of Oklahoma consisted of the 1st Oklahoma Infantry, 1st Battalion of Engineers, the 1st Squadron (four troops) Oklahoma Cavalry, and the Field Hospital Company No. 1.

The first troops began to arrive at Camp Bowie, located on the hills about two and a half miles to the west of Forth Worth in the Arlington Heights suburbs on the road from Fort Worth to Weatherford, Texas. However, as the soldiers arrived they still considered themselves members of their individual state regiments. It would not be until the arrival of Maj. Gen. Edwin St John Greble, on Aug. 25, 1917 with orders assigning him in command of the 36th Division, dated August 23, 1917 that the division was finally formed.

By Lt. Col. Enrique Villarreal36th Inf. Div. Command Historian

Hall of Heroes36th Inf. Div.

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For fighting gallantly at Mittelwihr, France. On the morning of December 18, 1944, he led a squad against a school

house held by enemy troops. While his men covered him, he dashed toward the building, surprised two guards at the door and took them prisoner without firing a shot. He found that other Germans were in the cellar. These he threatened with hand grenades, forcing 26 in all to emerge and surrender. His squad then occupied the building and prepared to defend it against powerful enemy action.

The next day, the enemy poured artillery and mortar barrages into the position, disrupting communications which T/Sgt. Bell repeatedly repaired under heavy small-arms fire as he crossed dangerous terrain to keep his company commander informed of the squad’s situation. During the day, several prisoners were taken and other Germans killed when hostile forces were attracted to the school house by the sound of captured German weapons fired by the Americans.

At dawn the next day the enemy prepared to assault the building. A German tank fired round after round into the structure, partially demolishing the upper stories. Despite this heavy fire, T/Sgt. Bell climbed to the second floor and directed artillery fire, which forced the hostile tank to withdraw. He then adjusted mortar fire on large forces of enemy foot soldiers attempting to reach the American position and, when this force broke and attempted to retreat, he directed deadly machine gun and rifle fire into their disorganized ranks.

Calling for armored support to blast out the German troops hidden behind a wall, he unhesitatingly exposed himself to heavy small-arms fire to stand beside a friendly tank and tell its occupants where to rip holes in walls protecting approaches to the school building. He then trained machine guns on the gaps and mowed down all hostile troops attempting to cross the openings to get closer to the school building. By his intrepidity and bold, aggressive leadership, T/Sgt. Bell enabled his eight-man squad to drive back approximately 150 of the enemy, killing at least 87 and capturing 42. Personally, he killed more than 20 and captured 33 prisoners.

Technical Sergeant Bernard P. Bell Company I, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division

ABOVE - Maj. Gen. John E. Dahlquist presents the Medal of Honor to T/Sgt. Bernard P. Bell. (U.S. Army photo) BELOW - Born at Grantsville, West Virginia, on December 29, 1911,Bell was laid to rest in Section 25 of Arlington Cemetery on January 11, 1971. (Photo courtesy of Russell Jacobs)

Photo by Master Sgt. Ken Walker36th Inf. Div., USD-S