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4ID Centennial 2017 Dec. 8, 2017 — MOUNTAINEER 4ID 1 Steadfast and Loyal A special insert celebrating the 4th Infantry Division’s centennial year ‘Iron Horse’ Division celebrates 100 years of READY THEN excellence Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army Center of Military History By Staff Sgt. Diandra J. Harrell The 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions jumped into the areas behind Utah Beach early in the morning June 6, 1944, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office with the mission of disrupting the German defenses in advance of the invasion. The Airborne Soldiers were completely surrounded until the 4th Infantry managed to fight its way inland from the beaches. The 4th Infantry Division celebrates its centennial Sunday, marking 100 years of excellence to continuously grow and its focus on consistent defend the nation’s interests remains the same. and dedication to the nation and its allies. improve ment,” he said. “Every organization in this “The courage and heart of our individual The “Iron Horse” Division’s history began as formation strives to get better every day. We are Soldiers is the biggest constant,” George said. America entered World War I in 1917. The 4th fortunate to have dedicated Soldiers and leaders who “Our history is full of the actions of junior Division was founded Dec. 10, 1917, at Camp embrace the uncertainty and strive to be ready to meet Soldiers who go above and beyond, risking their lives Greene, North Carolina. Following the battles of the the evolving challenges that our nation needs from us.” for their comrades. Those Soldiers made the differ- Great War, the division participated in World War II, Remaining ready is a staple within the division. ence in every conflict that this division has under- the Vietnam War and in Afghanistan and Iraq. “Our Soldiers work tirelessly on whatever taken. They will continue to make the difference in “Our history binds us together and gives us a mission we are assigned, that has never changed,” the missions that we will be called on to undertake.” shared understanding that is essential to combat he said. “Whether it is fighting a counterinsurgency, The 4th Inf. Div.’s roots began with developing formations,” said Maj. Gen. Randy A. George, com- preparing for a near-peer threat, testing concepts for well-trained warriors, and that focus has carried over manding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson. “We the Army, deploying in support of natural disasters, throughout decades of conflicts and an ever-changing will always strive to maintain the outstanding reputa- deploying to demonstrate our resolve to our allies mission set that has helped Iron Horse Soldiers remain tion this division has earned through its exceptional or deploying to established theaters, Ivy Soldiers “Steadfast and Loyal” against any crisis or threat. performance in combat over the past 100 years.” continue to prove that they are the best trained and “Our Soldiers need to be experts at their trade And that exceptional performance over the last ready force for any mission,” George said. and this starts with the basics of soldiering,” said 100 years has epitomized the 4th Inf. Div. Soldier. Soldiers of the “Iron Horse” Division have Metheny. “The goal should be 100 percent. “I feel like I’m walking on the shoulders of always served with distinction. Despite equipment Soldiers should strive for a 300 on their Army giants when you look at the sacrifices that our shortfalls and constant change in mission set, Physical Fitness and a 40 out of 40 on their Soldiers have made,” said Division Command Soldiers persevered and fought bravely, and the marksmanship. We’re a blue collar division. We’re Sgt. Maj. Timothy L. Metheny. “During Vietnam same is expected today. not here to look fancy, we’re here to do a job when for example, when despite having a draft and not “The requirements haven’t really changed since called upon — to fight and win.” having a professional noncommissioned officer 1917; we still must be experts in our craft, athletes to corps, the 4th Infantry Division was a very well meet the challenges of the combat and disciplined trained and professional organization. Today, in our execution of our mission,” said the 62nd we remain well disciplined, well trained, and commanding general of the 4th Inf. Div. “It’s the professional. And there’s nobody in the Army that environment that has changed. The battlefield has has the capabilities that we have.” become significantly more complex, operating at a The 4th Inf. Div. is the only balanced division more rapid pace for extended periods of time. The in the Army, comprised of an armored, an infantry, effects of cyberwarfare … precision long-range and a Stryker brigade combat teams, along with a fires have significantly increased the complexity combat aviation brigade, sustainment brigade and of our fight and the tools required to fight it. We division artillery. will continue to focus on being ready … we will George, a former “Ivy” Division company and continue to succeed when our nation calls on us.” brigade commander, has witnessed the organization’s Although technology has changed how the growth during his time assigned to the unit. division operates, the mindset of the brave men “I have been impressed by the division’s desire and women who continue to train and fight to Left: Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct squad movements for the combined arms live-fire exercise portion of Getica Saber, July 14 in Cincu, Romania. Getica Saber 17 is a U.S.-led fire support coordination exercise and combined arms live-fire exercise that incorporates six allied and partner nations with more than 4,000 Soldiers and runs concurrent with Saber Guardian 17, a multinational exercise that spans across Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania with over READY NOW 25,000 service members from 22 Allied and partner nations. Photo by Spc. Antonio Lewis 4ID 2 MOUNTAINEER — Dec. 8, 2017 Dec. 8, 2017 — MOUNTAINEER 4ID 3 WORLD WAR I WORLD WAR II VIETNAM IRAQ Battle streamers During its 100-year history, the 4th Infantry Division earned 26 battle streamers over four major conflicts: World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War and overseas contingency operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. 1917 2 0 1 7 Photos courtesy of the 4th Infantry Division Museum Artifacts These artifacts are displayed in the 4th Infantry Division Museum, located at 6013 Nelson Blvd., 1918 1958-1980 2003 directly outside This U.S. Army gas mask was used to protect The Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI) combat ration, popularly Minutes before Saddam Hussein’s bunker would be cleared with Gate 1. The Soldiers from inhaling airborne pollutants and referred to by Soldiers as C-Rations during the Vietnam War, grenades, the weary former president of Iraq emerged from his hideout and toxic gases by forming a sealed cover over the 1918 weighed about two pounds each — making the weight burden 2003 surrendered. The capture was a coordinated effort between the Soldiers mission of the 4th nose and mouth. Poison gas was used to force The Vickers machine gun is a water-cooled .303 British for a whole day’s ration six pounds. Each meal furnished 1,200 Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno commanded the of the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade and special operations forces. Infantry Division Soldiers out of their trenches. A German gas machine gun that was used by U.S. forces during World War I. calories and contained one meat, one canned fruit or cake; 4th Infantry Division from Oct. 24, 2001, to On Dec. 13, 2003, the 4th Inf. Div. conducted Operation Red Dawn. More attack hit the 4th Division in August 1918 The machine gun typically required a six- to eight-man team one B-unit can containing crackers, cocoa beverage powder or June 18, 2004, during which time Saddam than 600 Soldiers sealed off more than 1.5 square miles south of Tikrit, Museum is to 1918 as the unit attempted to push the Germans to operate: one fired, one fed the ammunition and the rest candy; one canned spread (peanut butter, jam or cheese); and Hussein was captured during Operation Red Iraq. Under this foam plug, 4th Inf. Div. Soldiers found Hussein cowering collect, preserve, These leggings were worn back from their position on the Vesle River, helped carry the weapon, its ammunition and spare parts, one accessory pack to include instant coffee, chewing gum Dawn, Dec. 13, 2003. Odierno went on to serve in an underground “spider hole.” He was sentenced to death and executed by Maurice Croft, Battery 60 miles north of Paris, France. which weighed upward of 50 pounds. and cigarettes. The MCI was eventually phased out in favor of as the 38th chief of staff of the Army. by his own countrymen. exhibit and inter- F, 13th Field Artillery, the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE). pret historically 4th Infantry Division. 1944 2009 Leather leggings The General-Purpose (GP) vehicle, or This M4 carbine was issued to and carried significant were issued to field jeep, was a workhorse during World by Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha when he artifacts related artillerymen during War II, performing transportation, earned the Medal of Honor while serving as World War I instead of reconnaissance and evacuation a section leader with Troop B, 3rd Squadron, to the history of spiral puttees because functions. Several 4th Infantry Division 61st Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, the 4th Inf. Div. field artillery personnel commanders were so satisfied with 4th Infantry Division, at Combat Outpost worked with horse-drawn the performance and versatility of Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, and to support equipment.
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