Brigade Becomes First to Receive Indianhead Combat Patch since Korean War [SBCT]

CJTF-7 ^ | March 16, 2004

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Brigade Becomes First to Receive Indianhead Combat PatchSsince Korean War

MOSUL, Iraq - All across northern Iraq, Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) stepped forward to be recognized for their service to Operation Iraqi Freedom in ceremonies held over the past two weeks. The men and women of the Arrowhead Brigade received their combat patches, and infantrymen and medics in the unit were awarded with Combat Infantrymen Badges and Combat Medic Badges. Everyone who served in the brigade or attached to the brigade since they entered Iraq is eligible for the patch, according Maj. Keith Markham, the brigade adjutant. "This ceremony is to recognize the Soldiers' accomplishments here in Iraq," said Command Sgt.

Major Jeffrey Du, the brigade command sergeant major. Du received his first combat patch and combat infantryman badge after more than 25 years of military service. "It's a great honor to be able to participate in one ceremony where I'm also a member of the company," said Col. Michael Rounds, the 3rd Brigade commander. The brigade, deployed since November, served with the 4th Infantry Division in Samarra during its first month in Iraq and helped clear the region of insurgents. The unit serves as part of Task Force Olympia here in northern Iraq.

During each ceremony, the announcer explained the significance of the patch. Units first wore patches during World War I that denoted which command unit each Soldier served under, said Markham. According to the unit's history, the distinctive star and Indianhead patch came as a result of a contest to determine the logo for supply trains that supported the division. The two pieces of the logo came from the first- and second-place winners. For those who see members of the brigade, the familiar Indianhead patch will greet them with the Indian that faces forward on both shoulders.

"We have forward facing patches because you don't face back toward the enemy -- you are always advancing," said Markham. The Arrowhead Brigade tour in Iraq marks the first time the unit has fought in combat since World War I and the first major conflict for a division element since the Korean War. "Congratulations to you all," said Rounds. "Wear it proudly.

It is a great honor from a grateful nation." Markham said since the turnover of troops across Iraq, the brigade is now one of the most experienced in the region. Rounds said the patch serves as an indicator of all the hard work the Soldiers of the first Stryker Brigade Combat Team have done in the past four months, but it has come at a price and should be worn as a reminder of that cost. "Wear this in honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country," said Rounds. "We've been baptized by fire and this is a symbol of it," said Markham, who earned his first combat patch with the 1st Infantry Division during Desert Storm.

Release #040315f

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Related:

 

8 2d ID soldiers pin on combat badges in Iraq ~ Stars & Stripes | 3/16/04 | Seth Robson

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

MOSUL, Iraq - All across northern Iraq, Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) stepped forward to be recognized for their service to Operation Iraqi Freedom in ceremonies held over the past two weeks. The men and women of the Arrowhead Brigade received their combat patches, and infantrymen and medics in the unit were awarded with Combat Infantrymen Badges and Combat Medic Badges.

 

It is a great honor from a grateful nation." Markham said since the turnover of troops across Iraq, the brigade is now one of the most experienced in the region.

 

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Second Infantry Division (Indianhead) patch

 

 

~* Combat Infantryman Badge *~

 

~ Combat Medical Badge ~

   

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~*  Stryker Brigade *~   

 

Ping!

[A Simple Soldier]

Not to be a wet blanket, but 2ID soldiers were also eligible for the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service (bka the combat patch) and CIBs and CMBs in Korea from 1966 to 1974. Rare, to say the least, and quite possibly the most stringent requirements ever for earning a combat patch and CIB, but true nonetheless.

[blackie]

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[verity]

To be precise, the star on the CIB denotes 2d award.

[Bob]

Second Division's Motto: "Second to None".

My dad served in the 2nd in WWII.

[NYFriend]

Why? I don't mean why do they deserve them, I'm not trying to be a pain. I'm just not sure how Korea go rolled into what I assume was combat in Vietnam.

[blackie]

"Second to None."

Great moto ~ Thanks!

[A Simple Soldier]

Korea hotted up something fierce in that time period because we were so focused on Vietnam.

My dates are for the eligibility of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. CIB and Combat Patch eligibility may have been a bit tighter.

The author of this was selected for Brigadier General last year.

http://cgsc.leavenworth.army.mil/carl/resources/csi/Bolger/bolger.asp

[BykrBayb]

Thanks for posting this. I only had time to skim the article now, but this will make for deep reading and much research later. Thanks again.

[Infantry Grunt 1968-69]

Great to see guys getting their CIB's. I wear my lapel size CIB on my employee badge every day here at MDACC.

[Bob]

Why? I don't mean why do they deserve them, I'm not trying to be a pain. I'm just not sure how Korea go rolled into what I assume was combat in Vietnam.

I don't believe that the 2nd was involved in any Viet Nam combat operations.

They definitely fought in Korea and were (are?) positioned along the 38th parallel (Korean DMZ) since the end of the war.

[Bob]

Further info on 2nd Division history:

2nd Infantry Division Links

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[PhilDragoo]

"We have forward facing patches because you don't face back toward the enemy -- you are always advancing,"

God bless these people--they are priceless.

[BykrBayb]

Did you know the Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) is finally authorized to be worn?

http://medals.safeshopper.com/9/825.htm?412

More info available at http://www.kdvamerica.org/MornReport.htm

This is a big deal, as there's been virtually no recognition for soldiers serving in Korea. Their service has been swept under the rug so effectively, most people think we have a handful of troops over there, just for show.

[A Simple Soldier]

Yes. I was aware of this and might add this medal was not without some controversy but you are correct that most people outside the military have little sense of how long we have been in Korea and in what numbers.

You may know that the ROK Govt sanctioned and DOD authorized for wear a medal about 2-3 years ago for those who fought from 50-53. Of course I don't think there is a single Korean War vet still on active or reserve duty, but a retiree could wear it on his uniform at an official function.

[BykrBayb]

I didn't know the DOD had authorized that medal. Am I right in assuming it was the DOD that limited the years of service it's authorized for? Didn't the ROK issue it for all the years our troops have been in service there?

[A Simple Soldier]

http://korea50.army.mil/medal/index.shtml

[ASA Vet]

I wear my lapel size CIB on my employee badge

Thank you for your service.

Sadly the freedom you fought for doesn't exist everwhere here in the US.
You'd not be allowed to wear your CIB at my work place, as it depicts an evil gun.