Photo By Staff Sgt. Bob Yarbrough | Col. Kimo Gallahue, left, commander of 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. – Lt. Col. Lee Overby and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Goodwater relinquished command of 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, to Lt. Col. Christopher Auclair and Command Sgt. Maj. Dwalyn Dasher during a ceremony held on Cottrell Field, Fort Stewart, Ga., Jan. 31.
Overby commanded the Patriot Battalion for more than two years and was also selected to serve as the 4th IBCT’s rear-detachment commander during the Vanguard Brigade’s recent combat tour in Afghanistan.
Col. Kimo Gallahue, a Frankfort, Ky., native, and the Vanguard Brigade commander, said the primary reason Overby was selected was due to his leadership ability, maturity, experience and professionalism. “True to form, he stepped up, and with Command Sgt. Maj. Goodwater at his side, he did a masterful job commanding those Soldiers here on Fort Stewart.”
“I can now say, with confidence, that being a battalion commander is the best job in the Army,” said Overby, a Houston native. “I have been extremely fortunate to lead such an awesome group of Soldiers and leaders.”
“Sgt. Maj., you are the epitome of a professional,” said Overby, speaking to Goodwater, a Richmond, Va., native, and his enlisted counterpart with the Patriot Battalion. “I could not have asked for a better battle buddy and friend. Congratulations on your retirement, and on behalf of the battalion and the brigade, thank you for your service to this great nation and to our soldiers.”
“I would also be remiss if didn’t take a moment to thank all the families in the battalion in all the sacrifices they’ve endured,” said Overby. “They have been a rock for our soldiers, and I personally appreciate all they do for us.”
After the click of a saber and the passing of the colors, Gallahue said Auclair and Dasher now led the formation. “I have every confidence they will do so with the competence and professionalism that these Soldiers deserve.”
Auclair, a native of Latham, N.Y., is not new to the 3rd Infantry Division. He has previously served as a division planner, while deployed to Bosnia, the division’s artillery fire control officer, and commander of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, deploying to Iraq. Later he would return to the Marne Division as the division’s assistant fire support coordinator, executive officer for 1-41 FA, and deployed to Afghanistan as the division’s chief of operations and chief of fires.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Dasher, and the Patriot soldiers,” said Auclair, addressing the formation for the first time as their commander, “You look exceptional, and I am honored and privileged to join your team. You have a tremendous reputation both as artillerymen and as Vanguard soldiers.”
Auclair went on to thank his family and friends, as well express how eager he was to begin his new position as Battalion Commander. “I could not wait to make this trip, together with you, command sergeant major and Sarah Dasher, and our Patriot soldiers and families.”
| Date Taken: | 01.31.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.05.2014 11:02 |
| Story ID: | 120123 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY, US |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | JESUP, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | LATHAM, NEW YORK, US |
| Hometown: | RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 661 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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