December 1999

     "Following my last visit to the 18th Infantry in Germany in June, I was struck with the seriousness of the lack of strength in the Battalion. This is commonly called 'percentage fill.' Our Battalion at that time was authorized a fill of 85%. By the time the support and extra duty folks are taken out, and considering those on leave, sick, & Etc., on any normal day the fill is about 75%. Take this and add to it the lack of proper rank structure (E-4's doing E-5 and E-6 jobs) and you have a serious situation. Our Battalion is strung out all over the place. We have folks in training in a number of locations, both in Germany and in the United States. This means that we have less troops doing more, while at the same time they do not have the rank/experience structure to lead them.

     "This also means our soldiers are not at home for any length of time with their families. Now I know the old Army maxim, 'If the Army wanted you to have a family, they'd have issued you one.' But we do have a higher percentage of soldiers today with families than we did 10-15 years ago. So the situation is not going away. Our soldiers are doing a great job for this nation. A lot is being asked of them every day. I know that we all applaud their total commitment. 

     "Upon my return in June I sent a personal message to the Army Chief of Staff and asked him to please leave a note in his top desk drawer for his successor to look into this problem. He sent me a reply which said that I had hit on the most serious and difficult to solve issue in the Army today. Take all of this and add to it the recent admissions of the Army that the 1st Infantry Division and other Divisions are not at the proper level of readiness and I rest my case.

     ''The inability to reach a C-1 rating in readiness is due to many factors, but one of the most critical is the strength (or fill) of the unit. The new Division CG, MG Abizaid, recently sent out a letter to address this readiness issue. He talked of the large number of missions that the Division has and the up-beat spirit of the Division. I met the Division Commander before he assumed this duty. I can say that in these critical times, the Division is in great hands. It was reassuring that MG Abizaid took the time to address this readiness issue head on. I am certain he is doing all in his power to keep the Division in as high a state of readiness as he can. Perhaps we can help, by communicating with our Congressional representatives and urging a greater fill for the 1st Infantry Division. This would go a long way in lightening the load our great soldiers carry every day. 

     "Duty First!  Phil Pryor, HCOR, 18th Infantry Regiment"
 

     Phil's personal message seems to have gotten through. The first thing the new Army Chief of Staff, General Shinseki, announced concerning his new vision for the Army was his priority commitment to bring all Divisions and Armored Cavalry Regiments to full strength - 100% fill. However, that has not happened yet. Just note the beginning comment of LTC Murray's update on page 3. The 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, is still accomplishing the mission with only an 85% fill. Therefore, the current readiness rating does not mean our soldiers are not disciplined and trained professionals, willing and able to fight and win, with high morale and a strong Esprit de Corps. In large part it means that there are just not enough of them, and just moving some rear echelon troops into Division slots won't solve the problem. Congress needs to give attention to this problem, take appropriate action, and fund adequate remedies. We need to educate the public, those we know and associate with every day, and we need to inform our representatives in Congress that we will accept no less than enough soldiers to do the job. In addition, it might be beneficial to communicate with the Commander-in-Chief, and those aspiring to become Commander-in-Chief, and let them know your views on the subject. No mission too difficult. No sacrifice too great. Duty First!
 

1.  Battalion is now operating at about 85% of its authorized strength (in the aggregate). Keep writing your congressmen and women .. the stress of operating at the pace we do - at this strength - takes a toll.

2.  Company A was in Vilsek this week working on a new simulator called CCTT (Close Combat Tactical Trainer). All 14 Bradley Crews operate in mock-ups of the Bradley Crew Compartment and "fight" utilizing computer simulations. Proved to be a great training event. Without rolling any vehicles out of the motor pool they got a chance to work on Company/Team level Movement to Contact and Hasty Attack. Makes clean up real easy!

3.  Companies B & C were busy with local training. Each got some good work on dismounted battle drills and squad/platoon level collective tasks. Training focused on night movements, squad/platoon ambush, squad/platoon hasty attack, operating in an Urban Environment IMOUT training), and clearing a trenchline.

4.  We will roll into Gunnery right after Thanksgiving Weekend.

5.  Battalion is on line for Thanksgiving Dinner in the Dining Facility and for our Holiday Food Basket Program. My wife, Jane, will organize delivery of Food Baskets. Names have already been turned in by the First Sergeants to CSM Forest. Really a shame that we have to do this but, I can guarantee you, we have families that really need this help to make it a good holiday for them. We all recognize and appreciate the support the Association provides to this program.
 
 

    Mid-November

1.  The Battalion Battle Staff conducted a four day CPX (Command Post Exercise) using the newest computer simulation available. We set the Operations Center and Admin/Logistics Center up (tents) and planned / fought a Task Force Level Delay and Defense in Kosovo. Utilized this terrain to familiarize the staff with the area of operations that the rest of the Brigade is currently operating in. Great exercise and we even brought in some civilian observer / controllers to point out our mistakes and help us get better. My staff is very young (all LT's) so it was a great learning experience for them.

2.  The Mortar and Scout Platoons were out in the local training areas conducting platoon level training. Mortars worked on displacement techniques, laying in the guns, local security, and gunner's exams. Scouts worked on area and zone reconnaissance. Scouts were apparently successful, as when I went out to check on them I could not find them!

3.  Last week we began serious preparation for the upcoming gunnery density. Also conducted a field sanitation course for about 30 of our soldiers to got them ready for the field.

4.  Currently have 97 soldiers about 7 hours South of Schweinfurt to support the International Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LLRP) School. They are "playing the enemy" and are focused on patrolling to catch the students who are trying to escape and evade. Soldiers are having a great time as they get lots of time on helicopters and out in the woods.

5.  That's it for now. Soldiers continue to do great things and let me assure you that they represent you well.
 
 

    End of November

1.  Great two weeks of training for the Vanguards. We got a chance to use the newest in simulation .. the Precision Gunnery System (PGS). Although no live "rounds' are flying down range the crew actually sees and hears them while in the turret. Also gives us the opportunity to use full scale targets and actually "kill" them when you score a hit. Adds a lot to the realism of the basic Bradley tables. The Bradley Gunnery Skills Test also went very well. It is a "gate" of 14 stations that each gunner and Bradley commander must pass before going into live fire gunnery.

2.  Got our first snow fall of the year .. about 1.5 inches Friday night. Highs have remained at about 35 degrees through-out the weekend. Keep your fingers crossed for cold weather during our gunnery density - should help to keep the fog down and keep us on schedule to have everyone back for Christmas. Most of the soldiers have been deployed during 3 of the last 4 Christmas Holiday block periods so it is one of my top goals.

3.  As I write this your Vanguards are loading the Bradley's onto railcars to ship them to Vilsek. 2-2 IN graciously agreed to let us stage them in their motor pool so I would not have to have soldiers railing them out over Thanksgiving. We will depart from Schweinfurt on Monday, 29 NOV and to be back NLT Tuesday, 21 DEC. 

4.  Had the first ever "Vanguard Dinner" a week ago last Wednesday, a nice formal, sit-down dinner in Wurzburg. Started the evening by presenting toasts and had select reading of the Regiment's History throughout the dinner. Capped it off with a dance. Watching the young Lieutenants and their ladies on the dance floor made me feel older than I have felt in a long time!

5.  Had to say goodbye to four great officers and several great NCO'S. 1 SG Campbell (HHC) gave up the company to 1 SG Smith this past week. 1 SG Campbell has been a Vanguard for over 4 years now and will be sorely missed. Always hard to say goodbye but always refreshing to see equally great soldiers step forward to fill some mighty big shoes.

6.  Lastly, a deep and sincere thank-you for the assistance you have provided the soldiers over the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. We conducted a 'food drive' over the last two weeks and, along with your generous donation, were able to put together 26 Holiday Baskets for our most needy soldiers and their families. Absolutely amazing when you look at the demographics .. E3's (Pvts) with wife and 4 kids. Each will receive at least a Turkey, stuffing, vegetable, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls, and frozen pie. Did not have to "force" any of our soldiers to donate food .. just explained to them what it was for and the donations came rolling in!  Best of all - only had to use about $300 to purchase the Turkeys. This will allow us to use the remainder of the Association's donation at Christmas (won't have time to conduct a food raiser then). Should be able to help an equal number of families, plus Vanguard 6W (Jane - my wife) intends to get all the ladies together and fix some baked goods for the single soldiers. Should make for a great Christmas for all.
 
 

    Mid-December

1.  Things are going very well at GRAF .. weather is cooperating and no injuries to date (knock on wood). Roll up includes:

- 44 Bradley Crews all qualified 
- Scout Platoon qualified 
- Conducted 9 iterations of the CSS Livefire. Neat concept where our 5 ton drivers (mostly supply clerks) and drivers/fuel handlers get to fire the MK-19 and 50 Cal MG from the ring mounts on their trucks.
- Every rifle squad got a chance to work through lanes we set up - included: knock out a bunker, movement to contact, and initial breach of a wire obstacle.
- Fill complete the Squad Live Fire Attack. Challenging scenario that includes dismounted movement to contact, knock out an observation post, breach a wire obstacle, and knock out a squad/ bunker. For the night iteration they will set a hasty defense and defend against a squad sized attack.
- Qualified everyone on just about every weapon we own. Mortars have fired more rounds than I can count.

     In general, the war was not going well for the Union. In October, the Army of the Ohio was ordered to find and engage Braxton Bragg's Confederate Army of the Tennessee, which it did undecisively at Perryville, Ky. However, Bragg quickly disengaged and retreated from Kentucky with his Army intact. By December 1862, reorganization put the 18th Infantry into the newly created Army of the Cumberland, commanded by MG William Rosecrans, which was assembling near Nashville. Intelligence reported that Bragg was gathering his forces near Murfreesboro, just south of Nashville. During the reorganization, Rosecrans decided to bring his Regular Army regiments together where he could utilize them more effectively. It must be remembered that the vast majority of Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War were in State Volunteer Regiments, not Regular Army organizations. On December 18, Rosecrans issued the order to create a separate brigade containing the 15th, 16th, 18th and 19th Infantry Regiments, and Company H, 5th Artillery (these were all the Regular Army Infantry regiments he had). He intended to use the "Regular Brigade" as his special reserve force. It was attached to MG Rousseau's 3rd Division, of MG George Thomas's Centre Corps, which was redesignated the First Division of the XIVth Corps. On December 23, the 18th Infantry detached from it's old brigade and marched south to join it's new brigade. On December 25, Christmas Day, the 18th Infantry crossed the Cumberland River northeast of Nashville and joined the Regular Brigade. The Regulars were happy to be together and they developed an especially strong Esprit de Corps. LTC Oliver Shepherd, 18th Infantry, assumed command of the Brigade. At this point in the war, the 15th, 16th and 19th Infantry had only their 1st Battalions organized and in the field. The 18th Infantry had both it's 1st Battalion and 2nd Battalion in the field, with elements of it's 3rd Battalion attached, making it the equivalent of two regiments. Regimental strengths (officers and enlisted present for duty): 15th Infantry (320), 16th Infantry (308), 1-18 Infantry (288), 2-18 Infantry (314), 19th Infantry (208), and Company H, 5th Artillery (123).

     By December 30, Rosecrans had his Army in place opposite Bragg's Army at Stone River on the outskirts of Murfreesboro. The Regular Brigade was in reserve with the First Division at the center of the Union line. Independently, the two Generals determined to attack their opponents Right Wing at daybreak. The advantage would fall to the one who attacked first, and that happened to be Bragg. About 7:00 am, Hardee's Corps attacked the unsuspecting Federal Right Wing. Regiments, then Brigades, then Divisions were driven back. Sheridan's Division of McCook's Corps offered more determined resistance, but the Federal right was collapsing back upon the center. By 9:00 am the situation was desperate and Rosecrans committed his reserve, Rousseau's First Division, to support Sheridan's right flank. The Regular Brigade, on the extreme right, formed line of battle on the Nashville Pike, then marched 500 yards across a cotton field and into a cedar thicket. The trees were so thick that command and control was impossible to maintain, but there they met and managed to severely blunt the initial Confederate advance. As Sheridan's Division ran out of ammunition and withdrew, the position of the Regular Brigade became untenable. The 15th Infantry, on the Brigade's extreme right, was soon being flanked by the Confederate attack and was forced to give ground. The 16th Infantry, next in line of battle, had better results from defensive positions among rocks in the thicket, but was becoming isolated. Finally, the order was given to withdraw. The 18th Infantry received the order first and complied. The 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, followed. The 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry, received a confused order. The 16th Infantry did not receive the order at all. Fortunately, the 15th Infantry was already retiring on it's own. Because of the dense trees, the 16th Infantry had become separated from 2-18 Infantry to it's left. When Maj. Townsend, commanding 2-18 Infantry, received the garbled message, he sent his adjutant, 1st Lieutenant Phisterer, to confirm. 1Lt Phisterer rode directly into Confederate soldiers who were about to envelop the 16th Infantry. He somehow avoided being shot or captured and reached Maj. Slemmer, commanding the 16th Infantry, who immediately initiated an orderly retreat. Otherwise, the 16th Infantry would have been surrounded and destroyed by the advancing Confederate forces. 1Lt Phisterer then returned again through enemy fire to inform his commander of the situation so that the 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry, could safely retire. Years later, Phisterer was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this action, the first Medal of Honor awarded to a soldier of the 18th Infantry.

     In little more than an hour, McCown's Division had driven Rousseau's First Division from the cedars and back to their line of departure at the Nashville Pike. Unfortunately for them, the Confederate forces attempted to carry their momentum on across the cotton field, only to be repulsed by the deadly canon fire of Company H, 5th Artillery. At last, the energy of the initial attack was expended. McCown's Division retired to regroup. A temporary lull fell upon this portion of the battlefield, as the attack passed to the center and a small patch of timber known as the Round Forest, where Col. William Hazen's Division anchored the Federal line. Rosecrans had to form a new line of battle along the Nashville Pike, and he had to do it quickly. If Bragg renewed the attack and cut the Nashville Pike, not only would the Federal supply line be cut, but any hope of an orderly retreat to save what was left of the Army of the Cumberland would be lost. It would take time to move and properly position his troops. Bragg's inevitable attack upon the Nashville Pike had to be delayed. This was just the sort of situation for which Rosecrans had created his Brigade of Regulars. Therefore, he ordered Thomas to send them back into the cedars. Thomas is reported to have ordered Rousseau, "Put the regulars in the cedars and drive those devils back." About noon, Shepherd marched the Regular Brigade across the cotton field and back into the cedar forest. Penetrating less than 50 yards, retreating elements of Federal units told them that Bragg had renewed the attack and contact with the enemy was immanent. The Regulars lay down, took the best available positions, and waited. Shepherd let the Confederate line advance to within 100 yards of his position before giving the order to fire. Volley after disciplined volley devastated the advancing enemy over a quarter mile front, but soon return fire was devastating the Regular Brigade. The carnage was terrible on both sides, and the Regular Brigade was vastly outnumbered. Soon after the fight began, the color bearer for the 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry, was killed and the colors lay upon the forest floor. 1st Lieutenant Phisterer ordered Corporal Paul Fisher to retrieve the colors, which he did, but the colors then became entangled in the trees. As Phisterer assisted Fisher, his horse was shot from beneath him. He called to 2nd Lieutenant Bisbee for assistance. Bisbee then took the colors and carried them for the remainder of the fight. (Note: there is a similar story of the valor of the 1st Battalion color guard. However, I have not been able to confirm and document the 1st Battalion story and, therefore, have not reported it in detail). After about 20 minutes it became apparent that the Regular Brigade must give ground. Shepherd ordered the retreat. Each battalion retreated as best it could.

     The 500 yards across the cotton field was a killing zone. Mounted officers were prime targets. Maj. John King, commanding 15th Infantry, was struck 3 times in his left arm as soon as his battalion left the cedars. Maj. Adam Slemmer, commanding 16th Infantry, was severely wounded in the left leg just below the knee. Capt. Henry Douglass, commanding 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, went down shortly after his battalion entered the cotton field. Maj. Frederick Townsend, commanding 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry, crossed unhurt. However, Maj. S.D. Carpenter, commanding 19th Infantry, was shot six times and fell from his horse dead upon the field. There were many instances of heroism that day. 2nd Lieutenant Henry Freeman dismounted, picked up the wounded Capt. Douglass and carried him on his back through a hail of bullets across the open field to the safety of our lines. For this brave act he was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the second 18th Infantry soldier to be so honored.

     The unexpected and determined stand of the Regular Brigade caused the advancing Confederate forces to pause to regroup. By the time they debauched from the cedars, the Federal battle line was ready and waiting. Four times the Confederate battle line formed and bravely charged. Four times they were cut to pieces and forced to seek cover back among the cedars. The Federal line resolutely held at the Nashville Pike. Finally, as dusk fell at about 4:00 pm, Bragg called off the attack and pulled back to the safety of his prepared rifle pits. The battle would continue into the new year, but not with quite the same desperate intensity, and the night of January 3rd would see Bragg's Army quietly retreat, leaving the bloodied Army of the Cumberland to claim an immensely important and much needed Union victory. The cost was over 13,000 Union casualties (and as many Confederate).

     The Battle of Stone's River tested the 18th Infantry Regiment as a fighting unit. The 18th Infantry entered the cedars with approximately 30 officers and 600 enlisted men. Of this number, only two officers and 58 enlisted men were killed during the battle. However, a total of 284 casualties from the 18th Infantry (about 45% casualty rate) were reported in the official records, and many later died of their wounds. The fight at Murfreesboro in December 1862 was our baptism by fire, the first terrible battle in the long and proud tradition of the 18th Infantry Regiment. Today, our Colors bear a blue and gray battle streamer inscribed "Murfreesboro" in honor of our heroic stand among the cedars. Today, soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, stand ready to do the same. In Omnia Paratus! Vanguards!
 

     With your help, several options might become available at the same cost. One option is a pocket. Another option is white or black color shirts. 3XL may be obtained, but at a slight additional cost. Women's shirts also, if enough interest is shown. Let us know if you want caps embroidered as above. Baseball caps, one size fits all: Cotton cloth = $10. All wool (six panel) = $15.

     Our plan is to make a production run early in April based on prepaid orders received by the end of March. With enough prepaid orders, certain options could be included in this run. Otherwise, the Association will make only a standard order, including an amount of shirts it expects to sell at the Philadelphia reunion.

     Make checks payable to 18th Inf Reg't Assoc, copy and complete the order form below and send to:
 

 (Jim: You might consider putting this on its own page, make it easier to print?)

Enclosed is a donation to the 18th Infantry Regiment Association. Please send me a light blue 18th Infantry Golf shirt embroidered with our distinctive unit crest on the left breast, the words 18th INFANTRY REGIMENT above the crest and IN OMNIA PARATUS below. PLEASE SHIP TO:
 

NAME: ________________________________________________________ 

ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________

CITY: _________________________________________________________

STATE: ________   ZIP: ________

TELEPHONE: ( _____ ) ________________   E-MAIL: __________________
 

SIZE: (circle one)    M     L     XL     XXL

with pocket_____     3XL size_____        white color_____      black color_____

Make donation checks payable to: 18th Infantry Regiment Association. Copy or cut out order form and send to:

 

George Gentry 1331 Hackett Ave Long Beach, CA  90815

At present, we still have about 200 paid members and about 200 delinquent members. Get the word out!  Encourage others to join up. There are so many out there who don't even know we exist. Our membership goal is still to reach 500 paid members. We can do it!
 

Louis Johnson, our Honorary Sergeant Major, is having a serious problem with a detached retina. Therefore, he did not submit a column for this issue. However, I am sure that he would want to extend his usual Christmas greetings and best wishes to all of you.

Good wishes may be sent to him at the following address, or just give him a call:

Louis Johnson
3664 Wallfield Road
Houlka, MS 38850
Phone: 601-568-7726
 
 
 
 

The Big Red One Reunion is scheduled for September 1-5, 2000 at the Adams Mark Hotel, Philadelphia, PA. Note that is over the Labor Day week end!  Plan now to attend!  For information, contact Rosemary Wirs at the Society Office: 1933 Morris Rd, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Phone; 1-888-324-4733 or E-mail: soc1ID@aol.com
 

The 1965 Class of Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Vietnam vets is holding a reunion at Pigeon Forge, TN between 22-24 September, 2000. Contact person is CP Pedersen, phone: 715-462-4125.
 

Our Treasurer, Jim Stone, has changed his address to:

258 Pells Rd
Rhinebeck, NY 12572-2113

Phone: 914-876-7676
E-Mail: ston093@attglobal.net

Mark your calendars. The 81st Annual Dinner of the Officers of the First Division will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2000 at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency Hotel in Arlington, Va. Contact Phil Pryor via E-mail at: PPryor58
 

Tony Glavan would like to contact someone that was with his uncle before he was killed in Germany during WWII. If you knew him, contact George Gentry.

Sgt. Louis J. Glavan, 
serial #37327912
Company A, 18th Infantry
KIA 30 March 1945

E-mail: Ggentry@aol.com or jerynaus@juno.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

DUTY FIRST - FIRST TO BATTLE - VANGUARDS!

Sincerely, LTC Murray Vanguard 6