By Sgt.1st Class Steven Petibone, 138th MPAD
TAL AFAR, Iraq – Colonel Steven Townsend, commander, 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and his staff visited Soldiers in the Tal Afar, Iraq area to award 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment the 3rd SBCT, combat patch. While visiting, Townsend also awarded selected individuals the brigade coin.
Townsend and his staff made three stops in the Tal Afar area. Their first stop was FOB Sykes where Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., 37th Ar. Regt. Soldiers gathered in the auditorium.
After reading the history and orders, Lt. Col. Ralph Tien, commander, 2nd Bn., 37th Ar. Rgt. and his Cmd. Sgt. Maj. were first awarded the patch and then Tien gave the order for all platoon leaders to award the patch to their Soldiers.
“There are very few things that a commander can give to his Soldiers,” said Townsend, speaking to HHC Soldiers after all the patches and coins were awarded. “All I can give you are the patches and coins. I am proud to give these to ‘Iron Duke’ Soldiers of the 37th Armor Regiment.”
After the HHC ceremony, Townsend, and his staff, accompanied by Tien and Williams, flew a short distance to the ‘Grainery’ to award Company B, 2nd Bn., 37th Ar. Rgt. Soldiers the patches and coins.
The origins of the 3rd Bde., 2nd ID began during WW I when the 2nd ID (Regular) was formed. The infantry division consisted of the 3rd and 4th Bde., and a field artillery unit.
During WW I, 4th Bde., consisted of the 5th and 6th Marines. The only Army-Marine Division ever fielded by the United States.
The star and Indian head insignia of the 2nd ID was a tactical insignia used to differentiate U.S. Soldiers from the French. Stars were placed on vehicles and Soldiers wore the Indian head.
Prior to a WW I divisional battle, Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, then commander of the 2nd ID, approved the embroidering of the star background and Indian head in-lay.
The last stop was Fort Tal Afar, the site were the 2nd Bn., 37th Ar. Rgt. recently handed over the last battle space in the Ninewa province to the 3rd Iraqi Army Division for command and control. The ceremony was repeated for Soldiers of Co. A. 2nd Bn., 37th Ar. Rgt.
I believe it's Lt. Col. John Tien, not Ralph!
Great Site!
Posted by: Col's Brother | 15 November 2006 at 21:20