Raiders commemorate D-DAY; spirit of the American Soldier
By Staff Sgt. Brent Williams, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B
Jun 9, 2008 - 12:11:40 PM
Blackanthem Military News
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| On June 4, 1944, U.S. Soldiers embarked upon amphibious landing crafts and assaulted a series of objectives: five sectors in four beachheads, approximately 50 miles of shoreline along the Normandy Coast in France. Units from the 4th Infantry Division were amongst the first American Forces charged to break the fortified German defenses and open a gateway to an occupied Europe. (Courtesy photo) | FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - Sixty-four years ago, Allied Forces from the United States, Great Britain, Canada and Poland came together along the shorelines of France to liberate a continent from a dictator and a Nazi Germany.On June 4, 1944, U.S. Soldiers embarked on amphibious landing craft and assaulted a series of objectives, five sectors in four beachheads, along approximately 50 miles of shoreline of the Normandy Coast in France. Units from the 4th Infantry Division were among the first American Forces charged to break the fortified German defenses and open a gateway to occupied Europe.
Approximately 130,000 Allied Soldiers would land at the fortified beaches of Normandy in what would become the turning point for the Allied Forces Campaign in World War II. Their actions during the Normandy Invasion would leave behind a legacy for future generations of Soldiers in the Armed Forces to emulate.
The entire 4th Division, under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the assistant commander of the 4th Div., landed at Utah beach within the first 15 hours of the assault on Normandy. By the night of June 6, 20,000 men and 1,700 vehicles were on shore.
According to the United States Army's Center of Military History, the most difficult of the 4th Division's missions belonged to the 22nd Infantry Regiment, led by Col. Harvey Tribolet, as it assaulted along the division's right flank.
The three battalions of the 22nd Infantry Regiment began their landings around 10 a.m., moving through the flooded fields and marshlands to rally at their objectives in the Northwest, moving toward St. Germain de Varreville.
In the fighting that ensued, the 22nd Infantry comprised the right flank for the 4th Division during its attack north, facing pointed fighting to take its objectives and removing fortified enemy positions along the way.
The Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, "Regulars, by God!" continues in Baghdad, said Col. Ted Martin, commander, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., Multi-National Division - Baghdad.
"In the 1st BCT, that same regiment, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., is currently in Baghdad taking the fight to the enemy, much the same way they did in 1944," said Martin, a native of Jacksonville Beach, Fla. "As part of the world's premier fighting force, the Raider Brigade is working to assist the Iraqi people in securing Baghdad. The eyes of the World are also upon these brave Soldiers."
Like the veterans of WWII, today's Soldiers are led by a capable, trained and experienced corps of officers and noncommissioned officers, said Martin.
"Their service to our nation continues to serve as a shining example to everyone around the world due in part to the enduring efforts and sacrifices of America's veterans, especially on that day, on those beaches off the coast of France, where our fathers and grandfathers broke through the lines of the Axis," Martin said.
Although technically and tactically advanced from yesteryear's Army, the level of discipline and leadership are a reflection of the behavior that today's most trained and well equipped Soldiers possess, said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Bobb, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B.
"I think the concept is pretty much the same," Bobb said. "The ‘Backbone of the Army' must still be capable, confident leaders with the ability to pass all necessary information to their Soldiers."
From the massive M1A2 Abrams tank to the recently employed unmanned aerial vehicles, the technical expertise required to effectively manipulate the operating systems has grown exponentially, said Bobb, who hails from Trinidad.
"Soldiering still requires a degree of skill, but there were less technological skills required by Soldiers during WWII," Bobb explained.
During basic rifle marksmanship training, today's standard M4 carbine rifle can be equipped with advanced optics, leading to more target hits, said Bobb.
"Back then, a Soldier had to trust his life on his ability to shoot with iron sights," he added. "The United States has given our Soldiers the best equipment that money can buy - and our morale is high because of that."
Both eras of Soldiers completed their mission, answering the call of duty by recognizing there is something far greater to fight for than individual wants or needs - fighting for freedom from the tyranny of oppression, explained Bobb.
"I am sure that the values our Soldiers serve under today are very similar to those who landed on Utah Beach," Bobb said. "The bravery revealed by the Soldiers landing on Normandy Beach in June of 1944 is comparable to the Warriors of today; just like the two pressed metal identification tags worn around the neck."
Soldiers like Spc. Ross Andrew McGinnis, said Bobb, about the Soldier recently nominated for a Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions with Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, out of Schweinfurt, Germany, when he sacrificed his life, throwing himself onto a hand grenade in late 2007 to save the lives of four of his comrades - friends - brothers-in-arms.
The manuals may change from generation to generation, but the Army Values - Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage - remain the same, even under enemy fire, said Bobb.
The Allied ground force of the Normandy Invasion, proved to be the largest landing force ever to assemble on an objective, and even in the face of more than 10,000 casualties on what would be known as the "longest day in history," the operation would prove to be a significant victory for American Soldiers in the name of freedom and democracy.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Approximately 130,000 Allied Soldiers would land at the fortified beaches of Normandy in what would become the turning point for the Allied Forces Campaign in World War II. Sixty-four years ago, Allied Forces from the United States and Britain came together along the shorelines of France to defend a nation and liberate a continent from a dictator and a Nazi Germany. (Courtesy illustration) | |
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| The Allied ground force of the Normandy Invasion proved to be the largest landing force ever to assemble on an objective, and even in the face of more than 10,000 casualties on what would be known as the "longest day in history," the operation would prove to be a significant victory for American Soldiers in the name of freedom and democracy. (Courtesy photo) |
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