June 1999
 

     What we know about the 18th Infantry is that it recently returned from a mission in Macedonia and that the training schedule has been intensified and the time table advanced, even the change of command was moved up. LTC Norman reunified the command, made the conversion to LCD XXI (see below), and began intensive training for "possible deployment of ground forces."

     Then he took the battalion to the field at the 7th Army Training Center in Grafenwohr. With gunnery completed, 1-18 IN returned to Schweinfurt with only a few days to clean, repair and refit equipment for a rotation to Hohenfels. During these few days, LTC Murray arrived and the change of command was held on June 11 (see below). LTC Murray then deployed the battalion to CMTC immediately after the change of command ceremonies. These are uncertain times for our soldiers. The chaplain summed it up in an e-mail message, "Pray for our 18th Infantry families. It is rather hard for the younger soldiers who were in Macedonia and now are in the field and who knows where they will be next month."
 
 

Clearly the Brigade was in sustained action longer than any of the other Brigades, and the battalion was engaging the enemy throughout. The Brigade spearheaded the attack into Iraq. Task Force 4-18 secured the Division left flank and maintained contact with 1st Armored Division during the initial movement into Iraq. As the movement increased, we left the 1st Armored Division behind, made contact with the enemy, and started a long night of killing Iraqis and destroying the Iraqi capability to fight. Several difficult and magnificent maneuvers were executed by the Brigade in order to position sufficient killing power on enemy positions. We had one KIA, (minefield), and later three WIAs (another minefield.) The success of the battalion in combat is directly related to the training received prior to deployment. The task force was formed, trained, deployed, specific training continued, then committed to combat. It gets no better than that -- In Omnia Paratus! Thanks for letting me share the accomplishments of these great soldiers with the rest of the Regiment.

[Editor's note: COL Fulcher is currently Chief of Staff for 7th Army Training at Grafenwohr, Germany. Four battalions of the 18th Infantry were engaged in combat during the Gulf War -- 1-18 and 2-18, 197th Infantry Brigade (S) attached to the 24th Infantry Division (the left hook that drove deep into the Euphrates Valley), and 4-18 and 5-18, 3rd Armored Division (who drove straight into the Iraqi Republican Guard).]
 
  

                On May 25, CSM Robert Schofield moved from 1-18 IN to Command Sergeant Major for 2nd "Dagger" Brigade, vice CSM Dwight Anderson. CSM Anderson has been assigned as an instructor at the Command Sergeants Major Academy at Ft. Bliss, TX.

                1SG Kerry K. Kolhof has moved from Company D to become Command Sergeant Major for 1-18 IN. CSM Kolhof joined the Army in 1979. His first unit was the 1st Bn, 75th Ranger Regiment, where MG Grange was his Company Commander. He arrived in Schweinfurt Germany in September 1992 and was assigned to Delta Company, 1st Bn, 15th Infantry Regiment, as a Platoon Sergeant until May of 1995, and then served as the Battalion Operations Sergeant. In April 1997, he was promoted to 1SG and took over Delta company, 1st Bn, 18th Infantry Regiment, where he served until the Delta Company Guidon was cased to come on line with the LCD XXI conversion.

The Murray Family (Back row) Jennie, LTC Mike Murray (front row) Jessica, Jayna, and Jane

LTC Murray is married, with three daughters. The Murray family constitutes a formidable command team. Mike is a native of Ohio and grew up in Kenton. Jane is a native of Pennsylvania and grew up in the Finger Lakes area of upstate New York, moving to Kenton, Ohio for her Junior and Senior years of High School. Jane also attended OSU until Mike's graduation and their marriage. While accompanying Mike to his assignments and raising a family, she also managed to continue her education and completed her nursing

The 18th Infantry Regiment Association, welcomes LTC Murray, his wife and children, to the 18th Infantry Regiment and the First Infantry Division family.
 
 

Just a few weeks ago, I took the Battalion  Officers and Senior Noncommissioned Officers on a staff ride to Normandy. We followed in the footsteps of our Regiment from Omaha Beach, up through the E-1 draw, Formigny, Fonteney, Govile, Vaubadon, Ballerroy, Planquery to Caumont. We remembered in ceremony our honored dead, and we were received in the town of Caumont with tears of joy. We read our Medal of Honor citations on the very same ground where our heroes, under all adversity prevailed.

We recalled, and will not forget, our legacy -- a legacy that binds us emotionally and spiritually together. This linkage with our past helps us focus on the present and what is expected from our Battalion. It makes us proud and builds our Esprit de Corps. Again, the Association helps do this so well.

As we move into the millennium, and more technology replaces our systems and equipment, the one constant will be people! This will never change. People -- our teamwork and our brotherhood -- will win the next fight. We are about people, and our history is proof that people, not equipment, win the battle. Again, our Association is about people and keeps this legacy alive.

1-18th Infantry CSM Schofield's favorite saying, and I believe it is appropriate here, "from this day to the ending of the world, we in it shall be remembered, we band of brothers." (Henry V, Shakespeare). We will never forget those who came before us, and the 18th Infantry Regiment Association helps us do just that.

Again, thank you for all the support while we were deployed in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Hope to see many of you in August.

Vanguards, In Omnia Paratus, Duty First!

LTC Bryan Norman
 
 

The Change of Command Ceremony was a professional event from beginning to end. LTC Bryan Norman has done a superior job with our battalion. He has impressed, not only the soldiers of the battalion, but all who knew him in the Division as well. He was honored to have MG Grange and BG Ric Olson attend the ceremony, especially given the busy state of affairs in the Division as they deploy to Kosovo. LTC Mike Murray made excellent and to the point remarks at the ceremony. As LTC Norman said, "with LTC Murray at the helm our battalion can only improve its already excellent record. We should al be pleased to have such a great soldier as our new battalion commander." LTC Murray hit the ground running. He left that night with the battalion for the training area at Hohenfels.
I wish LTC Bryan Norman all the best as he leaves for the Army War College, and I know the battalion is in good hands as LTC Mike Murray starts his command tour.

During the ceremonies, we also represented the 18th Infantry Regiment Association in presenting certificates to 3 Distinguished Members of the Regiment. They were LTC Norman, COL Robert Fulcher (Commander of the 4/18th in Desert Storm) and CSM Schofield (who has left the 1/18th to become the new Brigade CSM). Assisting us in the DMOR presentations was Walt Ehlers, 18th Infantry Medal of Honor recipient, who was in Europe for the D-Day events at Omaha Beach.

The day we arrived, the 2nd Brigade received orders to begin deployment into Kosovo. However, 1/18th must first go to the Hohenfels training area (CMTC), as they have recently come out of Macedonia and needed the time to train. Keep our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers as they go about their very busy life in training and then as they deploy into Kosovo.

Best regards - Phil Pryor - HCOR
 
 

I arrived in Frankfurt on June 9, where I joined COL Pryor to attend the change of command ceremony. We were met by our escorts, LT Brown and SGT Freeman, and driven to our rooms at the Bradley Inn in Schweinfurt. That evening we had dinner with the soldiers in the mess hall. The next day, we had breakfast in the mess hall and conversation with soldiers in the battalion area. Later in the day we were taken to Wurzburg for a tour of the Division Museum and Victory Park. In the evening we had dinner with LTC Norman, CSM Schofield, CSM Kolhof, LT Brown, SGT Daniels and CPL Mercer. A great time, with great soldiers.

On June 11, as luck would have it, we were greeted by drizzle after 2 very fine days. The day started early for soldiers who had spent most of the night loading vehicles at the railhead. Rehearsals for the ceremony began at 0600 hours. At 1000 hours the change of command occurred. Fortunately, the drizzle had let up by that time. The Commanding General and ADCS were present. The Brigade Commander passed the colors and LTC Murray assumed command. DMOR certificates were presented. A reception followed. All of this in the middle of deployment to a major training area and possible deployment to Kosovo. Afterwards, advanced parties departed for Hohenfels, to be followed by the rest of the battalion on Saturday.

Despite the busy schedule and the hard work they were doing, our soldiers took every opportunity to show us their hospitality, respect, and care for our every need. They took advantage of every minute they could spare to spend time with us, which we appreciate very much.

So, to LTC Murray, LTC Norman, CSM Kolhof, CSM Schofield, the Officers, NCOs, and Soldiers of the 1st Battalion: Thank you and God Bless you! These young soldiers truly represent our Regiment's traditions of pride and excellence in all they do.

Duty First!

Louis H. Johnson, CSM/Ret., HSGMOR
 
 

On June 11, the following three individuals were recognized as Distinguished Members of the Regiment at Change of Command ceremonies held at Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt, Germany:

Robert J. Fulcher, Jr.  COL Fulcher commanded the 4th Battalion, 18th Infantry, during Desert Storm.

William B. Norman.  LTC Norman commanded the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, during deployment on Task Force Able Sentry in Macedonia.

Robert L. Schofield.  CSM Schofield was Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, during deployment on Task Force Able Sentry in Macedonia.
 

Victory Park, near Division headquarters in Wurzburg, commemorates the Big Red One. The First Division Victory Lady stands atop a granite pedestal in the place of honor at the center of the park. Victory Walk continues to grow, as Big Red One units and soldiers are memorialized by bricks purchased for that purpose.

Recently, a new feature has been added -- unit crests for every regiment in the Big Red One. MG Grange has chosen the 18th Infantry to be the first regiment so honored. Our Unit Crest, about 12" x 12", is beautifully displayed, attached to a large rock, in it's place in Victory Park. For information on brick purchase or contributions to Victory Park, please contact George Gentry.

Ceremonies marking the 55th Anniversary of D-Day were held in Weymouth, England and Normandy, France. The 18th Infantry was well represented during these activities.

CSM Kolhof escorted the 18th Infantry colors to Normandy to represent the Regiment in Division ceremonies on June 6, 1999. In addition, he place Flags on 18th Infantry graves at Omaha Cemetery. In the early morning on June 6, he hit the beach in a landing craft and proceeded up to the 1st Infantry Division Monument, 
where there was a wreath laying ceremony in honor of
the great sacrifices made on that day in 1944. Walter D. Ehlers, 18th Infantry, delivered one of the keynote speeches and several other 18th Infantry veterans of the D-Day landing were also present.

A few miles inland, Andy Anderson and Jack Bennett (Company E) were welcomed, and treated as heros and honored guests, in the village of Saleen, liberated by the 18th Infantry on June 12, 1944.
 

We received the sad news that Don Ockerman, our last World War One veteran, passed away peacefully at home on March 29, 1999.

May they rest in peace!