* * EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTED * *

Larry Paul accepts position as Association Executive Director

Your Association Council recently exercised provisions in our Constitution and Bylaws to activate the position of Executive Director.  Larry Paul has accepted the position and will soon assume  day-to-day responsibility for Association business.  This will free George Gentry to undertake a project to write a complete updated history of the 18th Infantry Regiment from 1861 to the present – a task requiring focused effort free from other Association responsibilities.

Larry Paul hails from Ohio and began his association with the 18th Infantry  in June 1968, when he assumed command of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam.  He commanded Company C until he was injured on November 11, 1968 and subsequently medevaced to Japan and the U.S.

Larry  was commissioned as an Infantry 2nd Lieutenant in June 1962 from the Ohio State University ROTC program.  After nearly 12 years on active duty and 18 years in the Army Reserves, he retired in July 1992 with the rank of Colonel.  As a “citizen soldier” he had many unique opportunities to serve both our country and his local community.  During this time, he managed to obtain the military education levels necessary for promotion and command assignment selection, while simultaneously pursuing his civilian teaching profession.  He feels most fortunate to have commanded a Reserve Special Forces Battalion for 3 years and a Training Support Brigade for 46 months.  The latter was activated in January 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm and deployed to Ft. Benning, GA.

In civilian life, Larry taught  American History in Fremont City Schools until he retired from that position in June 1992.  He continues to teach at the Community College level,  teaching classes on the American Civil War, World War II, and Vietnam.  He also enjoys giving “living history” talks on the life of the common soldier during various time periods of our nation’s history, mostly to students at various age levels.  During his living history presentations, he represents a soldier in the 18th Infantry whenever possible.

Larry is an active member and supporter of the 18th Infantry Regiment Association.  He first attended a Division Officer’s dinner in 1972, and began regularly attending BRO Reunions in 1998.  Larry is married to Linda and has 2 children.  His address is:  Larry Paul, 827 Upton Rd, Fremont, Ohio 43420.  Phone: 419-323-5782.  Email: LFP18INF@aol.com.

ANNUAL COMBAT OFFICER’S DINNER

The Annual Dinner of the Combat Officers of the First Division will be held on Saturday, 1 May 2004, at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency Hotel in Arlington, VA.  The 18th Infantry CP, as usual, will be in room 1811, and open to all visitors.  At noon on Saturday, we will honor the service to our Regiment of GEN Gordon Sullivan and others.  Come meet us there and enjoy the camaraderie! 

For information please contact Phil Pryor, ph: 757-564-1616.

E-mail: Ppryor58@aol.com

SOCIETY of the FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION

2004 Annual BRO Reunion

This year the Big Red One Reunion is scheduled in Chicago, Illinois for 28 July to 1 August.   It is a Wednesday to Sunday schedule, with the 18th Infantry Annual meeting held on Friday, and the grand banquet on Saturday night.  Make reservations through the Society.  For information, please contact Jennifer Sanford, 1933 Morris Rd, Blue Bell, PA 19422.  Ph: 1-888-324-4733.

E-mail: soc1ID@aol.com or www.bigredone.org

2004 REUNION +++ 28 JULY - 1 AUGUST +++ CHICAGO, IL

Visit our web site and sign in — www.18inf.org

100  YEARS  AGO

1903  ***  2nd Tour – Philippines Islands  ***  1905

In May 1903, the 18th Infantry Regiment, under command of Colonel James M. J. Sanno, began it’s second tour of duty in the Philippine Islands.  In all, the 18th Infantry Regiment served three tours of duty in the Philippines: 1898-1901, 1903-1905, 1907-1909.  During this tour, the 18th Infantry was stationed on the islands of Leyte and Cebu, which were relatively peaceful.  The 1st Battalion was stationed at Camp Warwick, on the island of Cebu.  The 2nd Battalion was stationed at Camp Bumpus, near Tacloban on the island of Leyte.  The 3rd Battalion was stationed at Camp Downes, near Ormoc on the island of Leyte.  Regimental headquarters was at Camp Bumpus.  From June to August 1903, Company A participated in an expedition to the island of Mindinao, which was a little less peaceful because of the opposition on that island of the Philippine Moros (Muslims).              On 22 September 1903, Colonel Charles B. Hall joined the Regiment and assumed command at Camp Bumpus.  Colonel Hall was a seasoned soldier, a Civil War veteran of Maine Volunteer Infantry regiments, who entered the Regular Army and served most of his career in the 19th US Infantry.  18th Infantry Regiment returns for January 1904 show Headquarters, Field Staff & Band, and 2nd Battalion at Camp Bumpus.  1st Battalion at Camp Warwick. 3d Battalion at Camp Downes.  Colonel Hall, commanding at Camp Bumpus; Lieutenant Colonel Walter S. Scott, commanding at Camp Warwick; Major William Paulding commanding 1st Battalion; Major George Young commanding 2nd Battalion; and Major Henry Kirby commanding 3rd Battalion.  The 18th Infantry had 50 Officers and 806 Enlisted Men assigned, but only 30 Officers and 733 Enlisted Men present for duty. 

The standard infantry arm was the Springfield M1903, .30 caliber, bolt-action rifle, with a 5-round magazine. It weighted 8 lbs.  However, some soldiers were issued the Browning 12 gauge shotgun, a weapon that proved more effective for the close-in guerilla type insurgency experienced in the jungle environment of the Philippine Islands.  Philippine occupation duty could be dangerous and, especially considering the tropical diseases to which soldiers were exposed, life threatening.  Fortunately, other than the usual inspections, retreat parades, target practice, and garrison duties, the regiment had few remarkable events which soldiers could write home about, for this tour of duty in was relatively peaceful and uneventful.

18th Infantry WWII Book Available

“American Iliad”

American Iliad, the first published history of the 18th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Division during World War II, represents an important and significant addition to the saga of the “Big Red One” as it battled the French, Italians, and Germans in both the Mediterranean and European Theater of Operations from 1942 to 1945.  Encompassing engagements ranging from the TORCH landings in North Africa, the defeat of German panzers at El Guettar, the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, crossing the bloody sands of Omaha Beach, the battles over Crucifix Hill and Ravelsberg outside of Aachen on the West Wall of Germany and the final battles of the war, American Iliad provides readers with a detailed look at the operations, personalities, and soldiers of the 18th Infantry Regiment during the 21 months it spent in active combat.  By war’s end, the Regiment was a scant sixty miles from Berlin, completing its proud tradition of service to its country during World War II when it halted its advance in Czechoslovakia following a series of bitter battles in the Harz Mountains. Combing both “big picture” primary source material and Army historical section accounts of small unit actions with never before recorded oral histories by members of the 18th Infantry Regiment Association, American Iliad pays a lasting tribute to the sacrifices made by the officers and men of the 18th Infantry who carried out many difficult combat assignments with brilliance and élan.  The book features numerous maps and photographs that will assist the reader in following the action being described in the text both visually and geographically.

Copies of this book (of approximately 424 pages) will retail for $24.95 plus $4.00 shipping, but the publisher has agreed to make it available to advance purchasers for $18.95 plus $4.00 shipping ($22.95 total). The print run will be limited, so advance orders are a good way to guarantee getting a copy. Orders must be received by the publisher no later than 15 March 2004. By mail, personal checks and money orders should be made out to "The Aberjona Press" and sent directly to the publisher: The Aberjona Press, PO Box 623, Bedford, PA 15522.  Phone orders are also welcome, toll‑free, at (866) 265‑9063, using VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit cards. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book benefits the 18th Infantry Regiment Association.  Order yours now! – and tell your family and friends.

1861  —  18^th INFANTRY REGIMENT  —  2004