April 2002

    Robert Baumer has been selected as our primary author, ably assisted by co-author LTC Mark Reardon. George Gentry will coordinate the writing project for the 18th Infantry Regiment Association, and Steven Weingartner will serve as Editor for the Cantigny First Division Foundation.

    Much research and effort have already gone into the writing of this historical work, with many 18th Infantrymen already making contributions of information and personal recollections. However, it is still very much "a work in progress", and we continue to encourage you to provide information, pictures and personal histories for inclusion in this book about the Regiment's distinguished combat record during World War II. We expect this to be the definitive work on the l8th Infantry in the Second World War, containing perhaps 350 pages or more of the story of the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers.

    Of special note: We need personal recollections of the Organization Day ceremonies at Fort Devens on May 3, 1941. If you were there, please contact George Gentry or Bob Baumer (addresses below). We would also like to recognize as many as we can identify of the men who were there on May 3,1941 and who survived with the Regiment until May 8,1945 - the men who went all the way through WWII in the 18th Infantry. Can you help us with that endeavor? We still need more material from men who were there, especially at the major battles.

    We anticipate the book will contain about 12 chapters, approximately as follows: Chapter One - Organization Day to Oran (3 May 41 - 10 Nov 42). Chapter Two - the period under British control (Dec 42 - Mar 43). Chapter Three -  El Guettar (March43). Chapter Four - the Final Push to end the North African Campaign (Apr-May 43). Chapter Five - Sicily (Jul - Aug 43). Chapter Six - England and the beginning of the Invasion (Nov 43-Jun 44). Chapter Seven - Omaha Beach to Caumont (6 Jun - 12 Jun 44). Chapter Seven - St Lo breakout to the Siegfried Line (Jul - Sep 44). Chapter Eight - Aachen (Oct 44). Chapter Nine - the Huertgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge (Nov-Dec 44). Chapter Ten - the conquest of Germany to the Harz Mountains (Jan - Apr 45). Chapter Eleven - the end of the War (May 45). Chapter Twelve will contain our conclusions and a look to the future. Chapter coverage may change a little as we seek to balance our presentation and depending on the material you provide us about what happened during these periods. If you have not already sent your history to the author, especially about the landing on D-Day in Europe, or any other period, we urge you to do so.

    Given deadlines and other issues that affect getting the book out on time, our authors have asked to receive your written "histories" as soon as possible, but no later than September 30th of this year. Please note Bob Baumer's new address: Robert Baumer, 1033 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475. His email address is: rbaumer@snet.net. His telephone number is: (860) 395-0228.
 
 

    Operation Shenandoah, during Fall 1967, found l-18 IN heavily involved. Commencing on September 29, 1-181N,now operating under the call-sign Dogface, was ordered north along Highway l3 toward Loc Ninh in War Zone D (an area near the Cambodian border). On October 6, 1-18 IN engaged the enemy near the hamlet of Da Yeu, suffering 2 KIA (SP4 Earl Dingle and SP4 Paul Oestreicher) and disposing of approximately 60 enemy soldiers. Toward the end of October, 1-18 IN again encountered the enemy near the village of Srok Silalite in a two-day engagement that resulted in 5 KIA (SFC James Tomlinson, PSGT Joe Amos, SGT Kenneth Hanson, SGT Michael Kanter, and PFC Charles Gentry) and accounted for about 100 enemy dead. LTC Cavazos received the Distinguished Service Cross for his personal actions during these engagements. Meanwhile, 2-18 IN, call-sign Darkness, was ordered to establish firebase Normandy near the village of Chann Luu (East of Lai Khe and south of the Operation Shenandoah AO). It was given the mission of keeping the supply road between Lai Khe and Phouc Vinh open (mostly routine road security). However, during these routine standard operations, on October 25, an ambush patrol from B-2-18 was attacked during the night by a numerically superior VC force (believed to be a platoon sized element of the VC Phu Loi Battalion) resulting in 3 KIA (PSGT Cad Oliver, SP4 Gary Grissom, and Medic SP4 Charles Chriscoe) and 9 WIA.

    The significant engagements at Srok Silalite seem small when compared to the battle that 1-18 IN was to experience on November 2, 1967. Elements of the 273rd VC Regiment attempted to overrun the Dogface battalion at a location about 2 miles west of Loc Ninh, while 1-18 IN was in defense in superb NDP fortifications (the DePuy fighting positions). At a loss of one KIA (SSGT John May) and 8 WIA, 1-18 IN accounted for more than 260 enemy dead that day. As a result of Operation  Shenandoah, the VC/NVA drive on Loc Ninh was defeated and Highway 13 was opened. For this action, the 1st Battalion was awarded a Valorous Unit streamer, embroidered BINH LONG PROVINCE (see citation below).

VALOROUS UNIT CITATION: BINH LONG PROVINCE, Republic of South Vietnam

CRITERIA: The Valorous Unit Award is for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force on or after 3 August 1963. The unit must have performed with marked distinction under difficult and hazardous conditions in accomplishing its mission so as to set it apart from other units participating in the same conflict The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant the award of the Silver Star to an individual.

CITATION: The 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry and its assigned units distinguished themselves by extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 6 October 1967 to 10 December 1967. During this period the Battalion engaged in eight significant battles and several smaller skirmishes with hostile forces in the Binh Long Province. Because of the determined fighting spirit of the Battalion and its superior tactical capabilities, these engagements resulted in severe losses of both men and equipment by the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces while the friendly forces suffered only minor losses. Operation Shenandoah II, designed to clear the northern area of hostile operations resulted in approximately 60 days and nights of almost continuous action and daily contacts. At the conclusion of the period, Highway 13 south of Quan Loi was opened and secured. The Battalion's excellence in both offensive and defensive operations was undeniably proven during this period. Its expert leadership and extraordinary combat effectiveness were responsible for gaining unquestionable superiority over enemy forces in the area, resulting in over 700 enemy killed in action and the capture of numerous weapons and much equipment. The men of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, displayed extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty which are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon themselves, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
 
 
 

     In May, the 2nd Dagger Brigade, including 1-18 IN, will return to Task Force Falcon by deploying to Kosovo. The Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRE) was conducted at the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC), Hohenfels, Germany. A replica of Camp McGrath (in Kosovo) was constructed at CMTC, along with several villages that simulated Vitina, Mogila, and other Kosovar villages in the
vicinity of Camp McGrath. The MRE was designed to prepare our soldiers for what they will face during this deployment. We were fortunate that the Honorary Colonel and Honorary Sergeant Major were able to join our soldiers in the field during this exercise (see their reports below).
 
 

     1-18 IN soldiers will set up traffic control checkpoints, inspect vehicles, walk "presence" patrols through the villages, run reconnaissance out of the checkpoints, attempt to thwart smuggling activity, locate and confiscate weapons caches, and perform several other tasks that will challenge them individually and as a unit. An increase in smuggling and other crimes is expected to occur as spring and summer approach - usual times for an increase in these traditional activities. In addition, the soldiers will have to be wary of the constant racial tensions that exist between Kosovar Serbs and Kosovar Albanians, and, of course, between all of them and our armed soldiers. All of these tasks were rehearsed in various training scenarios during the MRE - six months worth packed into a couple of weeks training.

     Umpires graded and critiqued our soldiers, and much valuable experience was gained, as well as many valuable lessons learned. VIPs, from the USAREUR commander on down, visited and observed the MRE.

     Training was very realistic, with groups of civilian actors role-playing the various scenarios that our soldiers will face down range.
 
 

     Our soldiers have been well trained for this "Peace Keeping" mission. However, with the world climate of hatred for the United States and the war on terrorism, our soldiers are going in Harms way. They are confident in their abilities and eager to do the job - after all, this is what they signed up to do. And we are confident that they will successfully complete this mission and uphold the traditions and standards that have been set for them by those who came before. They are In Omnia Paratus! - In all things prepared!

     Yet, while we are proud of our soldiers and confident of their skills and training, we must also remember our soldier families. Today, the Army has in place family support programs known as "Family Readiness Groups". Families are kept informed and soldiers are provided with the means to stay in touch.

     Training has been hard and separations have been difficult. We salute the great families of our soldiers and stand ready to assist in any way we can during this deployment. To join our assistance program, please contact CSM(R) Naman Carter, 8502 Quail Tree Rd, San Antonio, TX 78250-6517. Tel: (210) 680-0264.
 
 

SFC Farrow       C co
SFC Varner        B co
SFC Harris         B co
SFC Bailey         HHC
SFC Gill              HHC

1SG Farrow is in charge of C Co.

1SG Varner is taking over A Co from 1SG Davis, who is leaving for the Sergeants Major Academy in June.

SFC(P) Harris is en route to ACRC at Ft. Lewis, WA.

SFC(P) Bailey will be with the unit until November when he will PCS to Ft. Benning, GA.
 
 
 

This year the Big Red One Reunion is scheduled in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 14-18 August. This is a Wednesday to Sunday schedule. The 18th Infantry Annual Meeting is on Friday (August 16), between 0930 and 1100 hours. There is a banquet on Saturday night. Ed Fedricks, Association Vice President, is in charge of CP arrangements. His address is: 8885 Shirley Francis Rd, Shreveport, LA 71129. Ph: 318-938-0546. e-mail: fedrick@earthlink.net. Please contact him with suggestions and offers of assistance. Make reservations for the hotel through the Society. Reservations can now be made on-line at: www.bigredone.org. For more information, please contact Jennifer Sanford, 1933 Morris Rd, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Ph: 1-888-3244733. E-mail: soc1ID@aol.com

We are in the process of compiling a roster to post on our web site. Our roster will contain the name, service dates, and unit served with of anyone with which we have had contact -- Member or not. Therefore, it should be easy to identify buddies you served with. We will not post contact information, but if anyone wishes to contact someone on our roster, we will attempt to facilitate that contact, being careful to protect your privacy. If you know someone who served in the 18th Infantry, but is not a member of the 18th Infantry Regiment Association, please let us know so that we may list them. You can email the information we need (name, dates of service, unit served with, contact information) to: ROSTER18INF@aol.com. Thanks.
 
 
 

We are honored to announce selections for commanding generals recently posted in the Army Times. They will assume command this summer. Congratulations!

BG(P) John R. Batiste, Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Washington DC, to commanding General, 1st Infantry Division, Germany.

BG(P) Eric T. Olson (2-18 Gulf), Commandant of Cadets, USMA to Commanding General, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

We have received a new shipment of black Golf shirts, in assorted sizes, and black baseball caps, one size fits all. They have the unit crest embroidered on the left breast, with "18th Infantry Regiment" and our motto "In Omnia Paratus!" in Gold surrounding the crest. They look great! The cost is $30 for a shirt and $10 for a hat ($15 if ordered without a shirt). If you want one, please contact Larry Van Kuran as soon as possible. See pictures on our photo gallery page (www.18inf.org/photos.html). We also have unit crests and miniature unit crests. Make your orders (checks payable to "18th Inf Regt Assn") by mail with Larry Van Kuran, 6378 Jamieson Ave, Encino, CA 91316. You can email Larry with questions about size availability at: vankuran@ix.netcom.com.
 
  

go to SFC Cloyd, ISG of Company D). I must add here that the Battalion had previously, in January and early February, completed a full-scale record firing session at Grafenwoehr, to include Table VIII firing with their Bradleys, as well as live-fire exercises up through Company Team level. In short, a fighting course. And, they had shot well.      In mid-February at Hohenfels, the emphasis had changed entirely. The Battalion underwent an intensive training period

(l to r) LTC Botters, CSM Calpena, CSM(R) Carter, COL(R) Tronsrue Picture taken at Hohenfels in March

      A little tired, but enthusiastic about our unique chance to be in the field again with the Battalion, the CSM and I came home on March 13. My report to you is, again, very positive: Good soldiers, in a first-rate, combat-ready AND special-mission-ready unit. Clear-eyed, straight-spoken, dedicated and soldierly, from privates on up. You would have been PROUD to see how well they did!

Duty First!  George Tronsrue, Honorary Colonel, 18th Infantry Regiment
  

     The encampment, built to simulate the base camp in Kosovo, was more than I could ever have expected. And the reception that we received from the officers and men of the Battalion was absolutely awesome. We were treated like visiting royalty rather than a couple of old soldiers on "bus men's" holidays!

     During the time we were there, I cannot over stress the impression I had of our soldiers. Each and every one of them, down to and including the newest private, is motivated to perform this duty with professional dedication and attention to the most minute details that are a credit to the Regiment and the First Infantry Division. None of our soldiers have ever been more impressive in their attitudes and "can do" spirit. We can all feel extremely proud of our soldiers.

     Many people have said that peace-keeping is not a soldier's job. That is basically true, but someone has also said, "It isn't a soldier's job, but a soldier is the only one who can do it!" That is also true. Our soldiers are prepared to perform that very difficult, challenging, and confusing duty in a manner which will make us all proud.

     In Omnia Paratus!  Naman R. Carter, Honorary Sergeant Major, 18th Infantry Regiment