George Gentry, President

18th Infantry Regiment Association

1331 Hackett Avenue

Long Beach, California 90815

Phone: 562-596-8097

Fax: 562-596-0150

18^th INFANTRY REGIMENT

ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Soldier Project Report

As has become our custom, we again this year supplied funds for Thanksgiving/Christmas Gift Food Baskets. In addition, we sponsored an 18th Infantry Day at the Movies - 92 kids brought 74 parents to see the movie "Shark Tale". CPT Blank wrote at the time, "I think the families were surprised about how much fun they had at the movie day. Some of the other battalions are now trying to do the same thing, so once again, the Vanguards have set the standard. We could not have done it without the support of the Association." The Association and our soldiers thank you for the generous donations that made this project possible. The rest of this report comes to us from the Rear Detachment Executive Officer [see Rear Detachment Report].

"The family's participation in this event [Day at the Movies] led to 1-18 owning over 75% of the total seating capacity at the theater. As you may know, the theater recently completed renovations and one of its new additions was a sound-proof room, which was used frequently during the movie as wives and families took care of all the newborns in the Battalion. This was a great event that got the families and children out of the house and brought all the children together to watch a movie. CPT Blank bought what was left of the theater tickets and ended up giving them to 1-18 families that had heard about the event but did not have the opportunity to come to Battalion Headquarters to sign up in advance.

The holiday gift baskets were also a huge success. I went with CPT Blank to the commissary and we purchased enough food to fill the bed of my F-150 truck! The FRG's put in extra time to make sure that the baskets were assembled and ready for pick up or delivery. Once the baskets were assembled, we began making phone calls to the families to let them know they had a Thanksgiving Basket from the 18th Infantry Regimental Association waiting to be picked up. All of the families were extremely grateful for this wonderful generosity during the holidays."

The Association wishes to thank CPT Blank, 1LT Cala and the FRGs for assisting us with these projects, giving so much of their time and energy to help make it such a great success. PX Gift Certificates were also sent to Iraq. We do not have a complete report yet, but Chaplain George reports that many arrived just before Christmas and were received with joy and enthusiasm (see pictures). Everyone in the 18th Infantry Regiment Association can be assured that funds provided were well used, and much appreciated by our soldiers and their families. Thank you!

ANNUAL COMBAT OFFICER'S DINNER

(Please Note: New Place and Date)

The Annual Dinner of the Combat Officers of the First Division will be held on Saturday, 2 April 2005, at the Hilton Hotel Mark Center on Seminary Road in Alexandria, VA. We are making a special effort to have some of our new Iraq combat officers attend. The new Honorary Colonel will be there. WWII and Vietnam anniversaries will be celebrated. Mark your calendars now! Call a foxhole buddy and remind him to meet you at the dinner. Come meet us there and enjoy the special camaraderie!

For information please contact Phil Pryor, ph: 757-564-1616. E-mail: Ppryor58@aol.com

SOCIETY of the FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION

2005 Annual BRO Reunion

This year the BRO Reunion is scheduled at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott, in the Washington DC area, for July 20-24. As usual, the 18th Infantry Annual Meeting will be held on Friday morning, and the grand banquet on Saturday night. The new Honorary Colonel and Honorary Sergeant Major will be there and we hope to have the 1-18 INF Soldier and NCO of the year present. Many special 18th Infantry small group events are being planned. Don't miss it.

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

18th INFANTRY REGIMENT REUNION -- WASHINGTON, DC

*** 1945 - WINTER WARFARE - 2005 ***

The 18th Infantry was relieved from the line for a well deserved rest and refitting in early December 1944. The tough battles for Aachen in October and the Huertgen Forest in November had taken a severe toll on the Regiment. The rest area was in Belgium, in the Ardennes Forest, which was a relatively quiet area near the front. Our soldiers initially enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of the local people, but Hitler had a surprise for them. On December 16, the German Wehrmacht launched a major counter-attack, with the objective of pushing through the Ardennes to Antwerp, dividing the British and American forces, and disrupting Allied communications and supply lines. This became known as the Battle of the Bulge, because of the bulge created in American lines by the initial attack. The defense of St Vith and Bastogne are well known and often told stories, as is the feat of Patton's 3rd Army in coming to the relief of Bastogne. Little is written about the valiant defense of the "North Shoulder" by the green 99th Division and the veteran 2nd Division, quickly reinforced by the Fighting First. The fight for the northern road system through the Ardennes was as fierce and as important as any during the Battle of the Bulge. Abruptly, the First Division rest ended and it was hastily committed to the battle. The 26th Infantry was sent immediately to Butgenbach, on the right flank of the 2nd Division at Elsenborn Ridge, there to meet the elite SS Panzer Divisions that spearheaded the German advance. They were soon joined by the 18th Infantry and 16th Infantry. The Germans got more than they expected. The First Division denied this vital road junction to the Germans. The fighting was fierce and terrible, but the North Shoulder held and the German plan was doomed.

By January 1945, the Germans were stopped and it was time to reduce the bulge and recover lost ground. The stories of these winter battles are amazing tales of courage and sacrifice by 18th Infantry soldiers. The Winter of 1944-45 was one of the worst ever recorded in Europe. There was always 2 or 3 feet of snow on the ground, and temperatures were well below freezing, even during the day. To open the American offensive, the 3rd Battalion had been ordered to attack at dawn across an open field. They did not know the exact location or strength of the German lines in front for them. Companies I and L began the attack, with Company K in reserve. Sergeant Brannen remembered that fateful day, January 15, 1945. James Brannen was a squad leader in the 3rd platoon of Company I. His squad was in the lead on the far right flank of the attacking force. "Our squads were well dispersed." Sergeant Brannen recalled. " As usual, I was in front of my squad and a little behind my lead scouts. The Germans let them get within about 100 yards of the pine trees and when they cut loose the first machine-gun burst killed both of my scouts." Brannen instinctively dove to the ground and got as low in the snow as he could. Within minutes every soldier in the open field was either dead or wounded or, like Brannen, feigning death. When the devastating German fire ceased, Brannen continued to lie still and listen. All he could hear were the occasional moans and cries of the wounded. After a while, the Germans quietly retreated. Brannen remembered. "I thought I could hear noises of the Germans pulling out, but I wasn't sure. After a time, I began to crawl slowly, inching my way back across the field. I soon came upon my platoon leader, Lieutenant Anthony J. Monz. He was covered with snow and wounded in the chest, but still alive and calling out for aid. I reassured him I would get help and immediately got up and dashed for the safety of the tree line back near the company command post. I found two or three men, sent one for a medic and took the others back to the lieutenant. We dragged him through the snow to where a Jeep had arrived to take him back to the battalion aid station." Later it was reported to Sergeant Brannen that the lieutenant had died. "I was the only man in my squad to come out of that fire fight. Sadly, I don't remember any of the other men, since they were replacements and I didn't have them long enough to even learn their names." Captain Robert E. Hess, commanding Company I, lost 50% of his leading platoon on that day. Casualties were also heavy in Companies L and K. Jim Brannen told me this story at one of our reunions, with tears in his eyes. It is only one of countless stories of the deeds of valor done by our 18th Infantry soldiers during the Winter of 1944-45. I highly recommend reading the details of this and other battles in American Iliad, our WWII history book.

American Iliad: The 18th Infantry Regiment in World War II. Written by Robert W. Baumer, with Mark J. Reardon. We have a few copies available from Larry Paul, phone 419-332-5782 or email: LFP18INF@aol.com. Orders may be placed directly with the publisher, Aberjona Press, on-line via the link on our web site, or directly by telephone at 866-265-9063 (Toll free).

In Memoriam

SPC Morgen Jacobs

B-1-18 INF, KIA October 7, 2004

NO MISSION TOO DIFFICULT, NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT, DUTY FIRST!

18th INFANTRY NEWS - DIRECT FROM IRAQ

Fellow Veterans,

Happy holidays to our 18th Regiment brothers and all who support our team from the home front. 13 January marked the completion of eleven months conducting combat and stability operations in Tikrit, Iraq. Although every soldier would rather have spent the holidays with their family at home, take comfort in knowing they celebrated it with their extended family. The morale of every soldier continues to be very high. This can be attributed to a very high success rate on our combat mission in Iraq, the best family support network I have observed in over eighteen years of service and support from Mothers, Fathers, families and Association members throughout the United States who understand that their sons and soldiers are the heroes of this decade and they carry family names that will be etched forever in the recorded history of our proud Country.

Since my last letter, the Vanguards have been extremely busy. Our activity ran the gamut from stability and support operations to high intensity conflict and back again, sometimes in the span of a single patrol. The enemy cast his vote with increased activity due to the United States Presidential election and Ramadan. As usual, the Vanguards tamped down the activity without the loss of a Soldier. Throughout the last few months, we stuck to our tenets of capturing insurgents and denying them sanctuary, increasing economic viability for the Iraqi people in our area of operations, improving the Iraqi Security Forces, and taking care of our Soldiers.

In support of combat operations, the Vanguards aggressively pursued the insurgents both in our area of operations and in Samarra. In Samarra, they conducted Operation Baton Rouge: a brigade operation and the Danger main effort during early October. The intent of Operation Baton Rouge was to destroy insurgents in Samarra, deny them sanctuary, and to provide a viable platform so that TF 1-26 and ISF could reestablish security and prosperity in the city of Samarra. The end state of Operation Baton Rouge was a much more secure and economically viable city of Samarra. Insurgents were destroyed and safe haven was denied. This operation was conducted without a loss of momentum in the Vanguard area of operations.

The Soldiers of Task Force 1-18 continued their relentless pursuit of insurgent forces in Vanguard area of operations as well. However, the Vanguards were not alone in their fight; they worked side by side with their counterparts in the 201st Iraqi National Guard (ING) Battalion, Iraqi National Police (INP), Tikrit Emergency Services Unit (ESU), and Tikrit Joint Communications Center (JCC). Every major operation that the Vanguards conducted, from Operation Mandarin Squeeze to Operation South Side Hammer to Operation Caltrop Bastion to Operation Skyline Drive, was conducted jointly with Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). In less than five months, the Vanguards conducted six Task Force-level operations, countless company-level operations, thirty-three raids, detaining seventy-six insurgents, and capturing an infinite number of weapons and bomb material. The irreversible momentum of the Vanguards and their ISF brothers just kept on rolling.

Vanguards continued their focus on training the Iraqi National Guard. Because of their efforts, the 201st is a well-trained battalion capable of independent operations. The Vanguards seriously increased their focus on the development of the local Iraqi National Police (INP). They felt that the INP had not achieved the higher levels of competence and professionalism associated with the 201st ING and Tikrit ESU. Efforts were redoubled with the INP led by International Police Advisor members such as Tom Yenchik. With the valuable aid of these American policemen, the Vanguards established a training program in which every Iraqi policeman would gain proficiency. Because of their efforts, the INP has drastically improved and looks to have a promising future. The Iraqi Security Forces have begun to take control and responsibility of their country.

Although the Vanguard area remains very dangerous, your sons, husbands and fathers work hard to continue the progress forward. As of 1 January, the Task Force has the Commander's Emergency Relief Program (CERP) spending on schools and water projects in rural areas. Current initiatives focus on improving six Iraqi police stations. These projects will fully re-model six existing stations and build two new stations. The single largest benefactor of CERP money in this sector is the University of Tikrit. Altogether, there are fifty-one projects totaling over $12 million. So far, the team has completed twenty-eight projects worth more than $1.64 million. In addition, they have thirty-four on-going projects valued at more than $11.8 million dollars. Finally, there are thirty projects valued at $1.8 million that they are developing proposals for that are based off of the Tikrit city council's priorities. These projects range from schools and clinics to water improvement and empower the city council amongst the community. The plan is to time several of these projects to allow either ground breaking or completion shortly following the relief in place with TF 2-7 in order to provide them credibility. In addition, over 1000 back packs were distributed, and over thirteen local schools received school supplies tied to Iraqi children going back to school. The Vanguards also conducted several radio shows in order to address local concerns and to promote the upcoming elections. Task Force and local leaders will conduct these weekly. They are working with the local newspaper to advertise elections.

(Continued on Page 4 - Commander's update from Iraq)

Active Duty Battalion Web site - www.1ID.army.mil/118

(Commander's Update from Iraq - Continued from Page 3)

The Vanguards executed the holidays in true Vanguard style. Realizing that the holiday period would be especially difficult for our soldiers, we decided that Thanksgiving in Tikrit should be especially memorable. Thanksgiving, Vanguard Style, kicked off on Wednesday, 24 November, with a turkey shoot and stress shoot competition at the FOB Omaha range. The stress shoot pitted ten soldiers from each company against each other in an individual shooting competition in the IDPA style. The resounding winner of the competition was SGT Josh Richards of C/1-18. Already known as a crack shot, SGT Richards proved it in spades with his accurate shooting and blistering pace. Following the shooting competition, the Vanguards enjoyed a huge bonfire while munching on some great holiday food provided by their dining facility soldiers. For Thanksgiving, the Vanguard leaders were able to arrange their busy patrolling and fixed site security schedules so that all of their soldiers were able to enjoy a great Thanksgiving meal at either the FOB Remagen DFAC or the FOB Danger DFAC. For Christmas, a second bonfire was conducted again with delicious food provided by the dining facility right down to the eggnog. After the bonfire, we conducted a Christmas Eve candlelight service where we sang Christmas carols. Later that night, soldiers were greeted by the TAC Santa and several deranged elves. You can see photos of both Thanksgiving and Christmas on our Task Force Website.

The focus of the Vanguards for the last month has been final preparation for the Iraqi elections. They helped prepare each polling site and trained the Iraqi Security Forces to secure them. The Task Force will help ensure the elections are conducted with reasonable security, allowing the people to vote their conscience. All forms of media were used to advertise the elections and make the process easy for the people.

Additionally, we took time out to recognize the great achievements of our soldiers. Vanguard 7 [CSM Pallister] conducted a board to select the soldier and non-commissioned officer of the year in Task Force Vanguard. Every company selected a representative in each category and all performed at a level that is above any average soldier. The best of the best were selected from A Company 1-18, Specialist Boots, Soldier of the Year, and Headquarters and Headquarters Company Scout Platoon, Sergeant Santee, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. Congratulations to these great warriors!

Task Force 1-18 is already deep into preparation for redeployment. TF 2-7, the replacement unit, is in Kuwait now preparing to move north into our area of operations. The Vanguards have already shipped several pieces of equipment back to Germany. In addition, selected personnel went back in December and January to assist the Rear Detachment for redeployment. The majority of the Task Force will begin redeploying in less than a month, flying directly back to Germany. The remainder will move to Kuwait to clean and load our equipment on ships. They will fly back from Kuwait in late February. Task Force Vanguard is and will always be called upon to execute the difficult missions anywhere in Iraq. As the Task Force nears the end of this mission, it is important soldiers maintain their focus until the mission is over. During the final stages of this mission and through redeployment, the Vanguards will continue to carry the proud motto "In Omnia Paratus", "In All Things Prepared". I want to close by personally thanking every member of the 18th Regiment Association that contribute so much support and allows us to stand together and defeat the insurgency here in Iraq.

Jeffrey A. Sinclair, Commander, Task Force Vanguard

Rear Detachment

We as a rear-detachment participated in the Thanksgiving Day Activities in the Dining Facility. All of the soldiers wore Dress Blues, and the dining facility put on a great meal for all of the soldiers and families that came in. There was a lot of participation (including LTC Sinclair, who was home on R&R from Iraq). The dining facility quickly reached capacity, but thanks to the Regimental baskets everyone had a great Thanksgiving dinner.

We've been doing a lot of work in preparation for the Battalion's redeployment. Several soldiers have already returned home as part of the ADVON/advance party. They completed reintegration training late last week and made it home in time to be with their families during the holidays. In the battalion area, we completed several days of beautification. As there is no snow on the ground as of yet, having green grass to look at is much nicer than a pile of leaves. SFC Youman also cleaned up our Battalion Area in Askren Manor. He personally took several soldiers to Askren to help clean up leaves and debris that had accumulated and also picked up litter as well. I'm very proud to say that Askren is better because of their work.

The renovations on the barracks and rooms are nearly complete. We are currently in the middle of a painting project that will be complete in January. I'm glad to say that the buildings will have a little more of an Infantry look to them. We are working with local services to try and develop some type of care bag for them as well. I think it is a German custom to have two beers for them, which have already been taken care of! CPT Blank and I have also been working hard on planning a ball for the Task Force once they return.

Very Respectfully, 1LT Phil Cala [Rear Det XO - injured in Iraq last November]

Active Duty Battalion Web site - www.1ID.army.mil/118

2005 Reunion - 20-24 July - Washington, DC

HONORARY COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT

COL George M. Tronsrue, USA/Retired

The situation in Iraq, as you recall from the last Association Newsletter, looks very much better to our Tikrit-area soldiers than the picture we read about in most overall media descriptions. Now, we have another set of similarly conflicting views. In a personal e-mail, a former commander of our Active Army Battalion -- then LTC Mike Murray -- describes the current situation "smack dab in the center of Baghdad," as he puts it. Mike, a straight-talking soldier many of you will remember, is now a COL commanding a large brigade (some 5,500 soldiers) of the 1st Cavalry Division. He describes the picture in his Baghdad area of responsibility as dangerous and difficult, at times, but still largely positive. As before, it seems we must continue to read media accounts, including those about Fallujah, with a skeptical eye.

News sources here in CONUS identified, some time ago, the replacement division in Iraq duty for our Big Red One. It will be the 42nd Infantry Division, known to our WWII vets as the "Rainbow Division." It is today a National Guard division in New York State, still carrying proud traditions going back as far as WWI in France. The division's advance party has reached Iraq and all Big Red One units are working hard to see that the hand-off of responsibility goes smoothly. As of now, the transfer is scheduled for the February-March time period. You'll notice elsewhere in this Newsletter that advance elements of our own Battalion have also begun phasing back into Schweinfurt.

For all that, please remember that most of our soldiers are still very much in harm's way and doing us proud. If you haven't already used the Exchange Gift Certificate arrangement described in our last Newsletter, give it a try. It works! And the troops like it. They have been quick to tell us how much they appreciate our solid support, both for them in Iraq and for their families in Schweinfurt. Keep well! God bless! Duty First!

George M. Tronsrue, Jr., Colonel, USA Retired, Honorary Colonel, 18th Infantry Regiment