18th INFANTRY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
www.18inf.org APRIL 2005 www.18inf.org
WELCOME HOME !
On February 15 the transfer of authority to the 42nd Division officially relieved the 1st Infantry Division from it's mission in Iraq. A few days earlier, the 18th Infantry transferred authority to TF 2-7INF and began rotation to our home station at Conn Barracks in Germany. Happily, this generation of 18th Infantry combat veterans closed on Schweinfurt without incident, completed a series of reintegration debriefings, and joyfully reunited with family and friends as they commenced well deserved block leave (See commander's report on page 3).
The 18th Infantry performed its combat mission in an outstanding manner, serving a year in the heart of the Sunni triangle and leaving Iraq better and more secure than when we arrived. It was a successful combat tour of duty, but during the year six of our soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice and several others were seriously wounded. We remember their courage and their sacrifice (see bottom of Page 2). Duties in the combat zone were mostly those traditional to infantry foot soldiers. Now, the 18th Infantry has to transition back to garrison duty in Germany. A rigorous training schedule lies ahead in order to hone warfighting skills as a mechanized infantry battalion and convert to the Army's new "Unit of Action" force structure. But, as always, 1-18 INF will make these readjustments efficiently and effectively, living up to the Regiment's motto, In Omnia Paratus! In All Things Prepared!
We welcome our soldiers back home! We thank them and their families for their service to our Nation and to the Iraqi people. They have upheld the high standards and continued the tradition of excellence established by the generations of 18th Infantry combat soldiers who have gone before them. They have made us proud!
On May 2nd, the 18th Infantry will host a formal "welcome home" banquet/ball. A number of old warriors are flying over to thank and welcome home these new warriors (see bottom of Page 3). This event will celebrate the accomplishments of the battalion during their tour of duty in Iraq, but it will also serve as a farewell banquet to a superb fighting team. PCS and reassignments will soon change the face of this great team. SGM(R) Mike Binkley will be invested as the new Honorary Sergeant Major of the Regiment, replacing CSM(R) Naman Carter. CSM Doug Pallister is moving on to a new assignment. By the end of June, command of the battalion will change, as will most of the leadership positions in the unit. Change is the way of life in the Army. Yet, the 18th Infantry remains constant as the best of the best.
ANNUAL COMBAT OFFICER'S DINNER
The Annual Division Officers Dinner was held on Saturday, 2 April 2005, at the Hilton Hotel Mark Center on Seminary Road in Alexandria, VA. The newly designated Honorary Colonel, Col(R) Bill Chamberlain was there. MG Batiste, CG 1ID, gave an outstanding briefing on the Division's mission in Iraq. It was good to get a first hand account from a great soldier. Unfortunately, there were only 20 of us from the 18th Infantry in attendance, but we had a great time together. Next year's date is 1 April. Mark your calendars now! It is a very 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 - JULY 20-24 -- WASHINGTON, DC
*** 1955 - 18th INFANTRY RETURNS TO USA - 1965 ***
For ten years following the end of World War II, the 18th Infantry remained on occupation duty with the 1st Division in Germany. Fifty years ago, the 1st Division was finally relieved from occupation duty in Germany by the 10th Infantry Division. In 1955, the 18th Infantry returned with the 1st Division to the United States and their new home at Fort Riley, Kansas.
The Fighting First had been overseas for 13 years. The 18th Infantry was among the first to deploy overseas to Europe in August 1942, at the beginning of World War II, and it was among the last to return to the United States. In 1955, the Army was in a state of flux, trying to adjust to the Cold War Soviet threat and the realities of long-term troop deployments. Operation GYROSCOPE was designed to demonstrate America's deployment capabilities and to rotate large units tasked with guarding the German border. GYROSCOPE was a success. The largest troop movements in peacetime history had been effectively and economically completed. The soldiers of the 18th Infantry were happy to be back in the USA. However, in a few years, the Army abandoned the traditional Regimental system and experimented with a Pentomic arrangement of Battle Groups. In 1959, the 1st Battle Group,18th Infantry, was relieved from assignment to the 1st Division and in another Operation GYROSCOPE returned to Germany to become a part of the 8th Infantry Division, where it achieved fame for its march across East Germany during the Berlin Wall Crisis in 1961. Yet another Operation GYROSCOPE brought the 18th Infantry back to the 1st Division at Fort Riley in 1963. At this time, the Army abandoned the Pentomic experiment and reorganized Battle Groups into Battalions. The 1st and 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry, remained in the 1st Infantry Division and were soon training for deployment to the Republic of Vietnam. A 3rd Battalion served in the Army Reserve, based in Massachusetts, and a 4th Battalion served in the Berlin Brigade, a tribute to the exploits of the 1st Battle Group during the Berlin Wall Crisis. In July 1965, the 1st Division deployed to Vietnam. The 18th Infantry has the distinction of being the first unit of the Division to land in Vietnam, when B-1-18 disembarked from the USNS Gordon onto the sands at Camh Ran Bay.
The 18th Infantry has a long and distinguished history. The years from 1955 to 1965 were considered peacetime service, but that does not mean that they were uneventful or unimportant years. Courage and Sacrifice were always required of our 18th Infantry soldiers, whether serving in peacetime or in combat. Nevertheless, let us pause to remember and to honor those soldiers who, during this past year, gave the full measure of devotion to duty and made the ultimate sacrifice. They have found a soldier's resting place and they live on in our hearts and memories.
In Memoriam
Captain John F. "Hans" Kurth
SPC Jason Ford
SPC Tracy Laramore
SPC Clint Mathews
SPC Edgar P. Daclan, Jr.
SPC Morgen Jacobs
Task Force 1-18 INF
Vanguards
NO MISSION TOO DIFFICULT, NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT, DUTY FIRST!
18th INFANTRY NEWS FROM GERMANY
By LTC Jeffrey A. Sinclair, Commanding 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry.
Greetings to all of our 18th Regiment family! Since my last update we have completed combat operations in Iraq and redeployed our team back to Central Region for re-integration with families followed by a much needed rest. Today all have returned back to work in garrison so we now face the challenge of accounting for and repairing our equipment for the next fight.
Our last two months in Iraq proved very rewarding for Task Force Vanguard. We were able to participate in the security of the first democratic elections in Iraq. The year of hard work and sacrifice paid off when elections in our sector were conducted without a single shot fired, and the local Iraqi's were afforded an opportunity to experience but one component of freedom; an amazing effort by our soldiers and leaders. Additionally, the Vanguards did this without the help of Company B. The Predators were hand selected due to their performance in Samarra to work with Task Force Olympia in the northern city of Mosul to stop an insurgent uprising. Company B performed superbly and tensions were high as rumors were passed that their skills would be needed beyond our Transfer of Authority date. Fortunately every soldier in Task Force Vanguard stood tall and turned over one of the most successful missions in Iraq on 11 Feb 2005. We formed many special relationships with leaders in the Iraqi Security Forces, Soldiers from the 201st Iraqi Army battalion and future political leaders in Iraq. All were sad to see the Vanguards depart, but our friends passed genuine wishes for a safe return and reunions with our families.
In typical Vanguard fashion, redeployment back to Schweinfurt, Germany was conducted flawlessly. A small section of the Vanguards deployed to Kuwait to ensure accountability of all unit equipment and that it was prepared to be loaded on to ships. B/1-18 linked back up with the Vanguard team in Tikrit and headed our redeployment home. All Vanguards departed Iraq by 12 FEB 05 and returned to home station, except for Vanguard 5 and his team who returned a week later. The Rear Detachment and Family Readiness Group worked extremely hard to provide a professional, honorable, and happy welcome home ceremony for all soldiers and their families. As all the soldiers redeployed, everyone went through a detailed reintegration program to introduce them back to home station and normal daily living. Once this was completed, the Vanguards took some well awaited block leave. All in all, the Vanguards enjoyed their time off and had a wonderful time with friends and family we had missed for the last year.
As the Vanguards return from leave, our focus is reconstitution. We have achieved success by sticking to basic fundamentals and standards and by taking care of each other. The transition the Vanguards make during this next quarter will challenge us as we attempt to achieve balance. Our garrison systems are rusty. The Vanguards have many combat veteran leaders who have never served in their current positions in garrison. Leaders at all levels are putting systems in place. This quarter we will focus on getting the right soldiers and leaders into position to meet the challenges of retraining the battalion. We will take time to celebrate and reflect on our successes. We will take time to honor our fallen who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Ultimately, our success will continue because we will stick to the basics, maintain accountability of soldiers and equipment, and ensure every task or action has a leader in charge. We know we share a proud heritage, and we will ensure we continue that legacy.
I'd like to close with my personal thanks to our fellow veterans, soldiers and families that enabled us to excel during the last fourteen months. This is a very special team and many will continue to lead our Army in other positions during these challenging times. CSM Doug Pallister will depart the Vanguards on 3 May to take the CSM helm in 2nd Ranger Battalion. He has served our soldiers and our Army at a level unprecedented by any other NCO in the division. We will also farewell many other great Vanguard leaders, soldiers and their families. Other great soldiers will take their place, but it will truly be the end of another chapter in the great legacy of the 18th Regiment. Rebecca and I will depart with our family on 21 June. I thank God for the strength and wisdom he has given me, my family for giving me purpose in life and the soldiers of this battalion who give me immense pride. I also personally thank all the members and friends of the 18th Regimental Association who have supported this battalion over the years. You honor us and we are humbled by your commitment to the active duty soldiers.
"In Omnia Paratus!" Vanguard 6
1st BATTALION, 18th INFANTRY, WELCOME HOME BANQUET/BALL IN GERMANY
The 18th Infantry is having a Welcome Home Banquet/Ball on 2 May 2005. They have invited veterans of the 18th Infantry to attend (at your own expense). There are currently 18 of us flying over on 28 April. If you are interested in going, contact: George Gentry, 562-596-8097. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to welcome this new generation of combat vets.
18th INFANTRY REGIMENT REUNION - JULY 20-24 -- WASHINGTON, DC
Honorary Colonel and Honorary Sergeant Major
The 18th Infantry has been most fortunate during the past four years to have COL(R) George M. Tronsrue, Jr. and CSM(R) Naman Carter serve as the Honorary Colonel and Honorary Sergeant Major of the Regiment. Under provisions of AR 600-82, the term of office is a 3 year tour of duty. However, their tour of duty was extended one year in order to keep the team in place during the combat assignment of our active duty battalion. As the end of the combat mission neared, replacement candidates were selected and nominated. We are pleased to announce that COL(R) E. W. "Bill" Chamberlain, III and SGM(R) Michael L. Binkley have been approved by the Chief of Infantry to become the next Honorary Colonel and Honorary Sergeant Major of the Regiment.
Colonel Chamberlain commanded TF 1-18 IN during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and following a distinguished career recently retired from active duty. Colonel Chamberlain was also an active force in forming the 18th Infantry Regiment Association in 1992. Sergeant Major Binkley served in 1967-68 in Vietnam with C-2-18, was honorably discharged, joined the reserves and served over 20 years while raising his family and working for Ford Motor Company.
SGM Binkley is scheduled to be invested on 2 May at ceremonies in Germany and COL Chamberlain is scheduled to assume his responsibilities on 21 June at the battalion change of command in Schweinfurt. Mike Binkley's resume appears on Page 5 of this newsletter. Bill Chamberlain's will appear in the July newsletter. Congratulations! and welcome to these distinguished leaders as they assume their duties, continuing to serve our soldiers and to promote the history and traditions of the 18th Infantry Regiment.
Donations Needed
The Annual Meeting of the 18th Infantry Regiment Association is scheduled for Friday morning, 22 July 2005. Normally, we bring a representative from 1-18 IN to report on the activities and morale of our active duty battalion. The battalion cooperates by assigning TDY orders. However, we are responsible for his transport, food and lodging. We would like to bring both the 18th Infantry Soldier and NCO of the Year to Washington DC for our Annual Meeting and the BRO reunion. Unfortunately, we currently have funds to bring only one soldier. Hence, this request. As is our policy, we do not expend funds we do not have. Therefore, we are asking for designated donations to cover the expenses for both soldiers. Please make your donation check payable to the 18th Inf Regt Assn and mail to: Jim Stone, Treasurer, 258 Pells Rd, Rhinebeck, NY 12572. Tel: 845-876-7676. Write "Reunion" on the check memo line. We thank you for your generosity.
TAPS
It is my sad duty to report the passing of a number of 18th Infantry soldiers:
Tess McGregor (wife of Mac McGregor, WWII)
Joseph Ainsworth (WWII - Company A)
Harold Carey (WWII - Company C)
Richard Lindo (WWII - Company C)
Sheldon Ellowitch (WWII - Company D)
Jim (Ma) Green - (WWII - Company E)
Albert "Bill" Frink (WWII - 2nd Batl)
Courtney Brown (WWII - 3rd Batl)
Stephen Carroll (WWII - HQ)
Terry Carlson (RVN - Company C)
May they rest in peace!
2nd Battalion RVN forming Reunion Group
A group of Vietnam veterans of the 2nd Battalion have been actively pursuing the formation of a reunion group. They held their first reunion in April 2004 and are planning a second reunion in conjunction with the 18th Infantry Annual Meeting and BRO Reunion in Washington DC in July 2005. Contact persons are: Roger Lyons (A-2-18), 320 David Circle, Sandy, Utah 84070. Tel: 801-523-8465. Email: <utlyonsden@aol.com> And, Brian "Smitty" Smith (A-2-18). Tel: 541-863-956. Email: <bsmith@pioneer-net.com>
C-1-18 RVN Reunion scheduled for September 2005. Contact: Stan Hill. Tel: 303-750-4140. Email: <shill3972@aol.com>
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.
NO MISSION TOO DIFFICULT, NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT, DUTY FIRST!
Honorary Sergeant Major of the Regiment Invested on 2 May 2005
I am honored to have been chosen to become the Honorary Sergeant Major of the
18th Regiment. To follow CSM Naman Carter and the others before him is very special.
The 1st Division and the 18th Regiment have been a part of my life since serving with the Division in Vietnam in 1967. You can look at the back of my RV going down the highway where you'll see "BIG RED ONE "C" 2/18TH" painted on the back only to know how much it means to me.
I'm looking forward to meeting the active duty men and women of the Regiment in May. I want to congratulate the soldiers of our Regiment and their families for your outstanding service in Iraq over the past year. You have upheld the proud traditions of the Big Red One and the 18th Infantry.
Mike Binkley, Sergeant Major, Army Retired
Resume: SGM (R) Michael L. Binkley
I was born on 1 January 1947 in Lima, OH. I grew up in Ohio, graduated from high school in 1966, and married my high school sweetheart, Rebecca Miller, on 13 January 1968. We have four children, three daughters and one son. We also have seven grandchildren. I enlisted on 6 August 1966, just two months after graduating from High School. Basic training was at Ft. Benning, GA and AIT at Ft. Polk, LA. MOS 11B. I arrived in Viet Nam on 2 January 1967 and was assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, located then at Di An, Republic of Vietnam (RVN).
I was point man for about two months; RTO for about two months, carried the M-60 MG for about three months and then took over the weapons squad as squad leader for the remainder of my tour. I was promoted Sergeant E-5 while in Viet Nam. I came home on 4 January 1968. Following a leave I was assigned to Ft. Knox, KY where I was honorably discharged in August 1968.
A couple of years later I joined the Army Reserve. I went into the 983rd Combat Heavy Engineer unit of the 83rd ARCOM. I became the First Sergeant of this company for eight years. In 1990, I passed the E-9 board and was promoted SGM and was transferred to the 2077th USAR School in Cleveland, Ohio. This also was in the 83rd ARCOM. In January 1991, we were mobilized and sent to Ft. Gordon, GA. to train soldiers and prepare them to be sent to Iraq in support of Operation Desert Storm. We were there for about five months. In 1992, I was assigned to training with the 83rd ARCOM in Columbus, Ohio. I served in this position for about two years and then decided to retire. I had a total of 26 years for pay when I retired. Some of my decorations and awards are; CIB.; RVN service medal; RVN campaign medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal two awards; Humanitarian Medal; over seas Service Medal; NCO Professional Development Medal; Army Reserve Service Medal.
In civilian life, after returning home from Viet Nam, I went back to college and received my Associate Degree in Market Management. I went to work for Ford Motor Company, where I worked for 30 years as a Manufacturing Planning Specialist, raising my family and serving in the Reserves. I retired from Ford in 1999. I enjoy travel in my RV - honk if you see me on the road. I am active in the 18th Infantry Regiment Association and I enjoy attending the reunions. I look forward to a great tour of duty as your Honorary Sergeant Major. Please feel free to email, write or to call me. Mike Binkley, 8190 W State Rd, Elida, OH 45807. Tel: 419-339-0978. Email: mibe87@wcoil.com
FORT RILEY CEREMONY
The 1st Infantry Division is hosting a 1965 DEPLOYMENT TO VIETNAM commemoration event at Fort Riley, Kansas. The event is scheduled for 9 JUNE 2005. It will consist of static displays and meetings with soldiers, lunch in the DFAC, tours of Post and museum, and an evening social/beer call at the conference center on post. It is, of course, at your own expense, but hosted by the active duty 1st Division soldiers. If you wish to attend, please contact: CPT Eric Counsil at (785) 239-4058.
Email: <eric.council@us.army.mil> For more details, visit the web site: <www.riley.army.mil/units/1BCT1ID>
2005 Reunion - 20-24 July - Washington, DC
HONORARY COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT
Beginning soon, COL Bill Chamberlain and SGM Mike Binkley will replace CSM Naman Carter and me as "windows on the past" for our Vanguards of today. These four years have zipped by, leaving both of us with rich memories of people and times. Some of those times, I could never have even imagined five or six years ago. On the people side, you, as Vanguards of yesteryear have made a lasting impression on our soldiers, their families, and us with your strong support of them and their needs during the Battalion's difficult and dangerous mission in Iraq. Today's Vanguards have followed your path in living up to those words burned in our minds: "No mission too difficult; no sacrifice too great; duty first."
As a "last official act," let me challenge you with the idea of still another support mission. Our soldiers have returned from combat experiences which were different from those of many of us. They are professionals, justly proud of their record. Some of them, however, have returned only in our hearts, and we sadly honor their memories. Several more of them have returned with battle wounds and injuries that will affect the rest of their lives. Some of those wounds and injuries are visible, some are not. And therein lies the challenge. Some of our wounded are still in our Army; some have returned to civilian life. As an Association, I suggest that we need to put together a tracking system that will regularly tell our members where our wounded and injured of Iraq combat service now are. As individuals, I suggest that we should respond to that tracking system by personally and frequently visiting our wounded and injured soldiers, both those in and out of the Army, who now live near our homes, letting them know how much we honor their service and sacrifices.
Finally, the honor and privilege of serving as Honorary Colonel of this Regiment will stay with me forever. I'd like to share something else with you:
"Heard While Walking in the Woods"
You have been the sapling; you will become the stump.
In My own good time, you will return to the forest floor.
Do the best you can with My gifts to you; share them generously.
Walk humbly in My world, and know that I am God.
God bless. Duty First! George M. Tronsrue, Jr., Colonel, USA Retired, Honorary Colonel, 18th Infantry Regiment
