Photo By Bernhard Lashleyleidner | Capt. Samuel Malone, commander, FSC, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st ABCT, 1st Infantry...... read more read more
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FORT RILEY, Kan. - The 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division returned to their roots by putting on the Big Red One shoulder insignia during a re-patch ceremony Jan. 10 at Fort Riley.
The battalion was first assigned to the Big Red One during World War I and fought as part of the BRO until they were reassigned to the 555th Engineer Brigade December 2007.
Lt. Col. Thomas Hairgrove Jr., commander of 1st Eng. Bn., 1st ABCT, 1st Inf. Div., told the formation about when the battalion first joined the BRO in 1917, and all the conflicts and wars the battalion has fought in while assigned to the division.
“This is a proud and exciting day for the Diehard Battalion,” Hairgrove said. “Keep in mind, each of the names on our Wall of Honor, fell wearing the Big Red One.”
The 1st Eng. Bn. is the oldest and most decorated engineer battalion in the United States Army. The battalion's history can be traced back to May 15, 1846 when a company of Miners, Sappers, and Pontoniers was formed at West Point, New York. Company A, 1st Eng. Bn. is that company's direct descendant per the www.diehardengineer.com.
During its long history, the battalion has received more than 67 decorations, campaign streamers and eight foreign awards.
“We are no longer different, standing out on post without the BRO patch on,” Spc. Rick Wilson, executive officer driver, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Eng. Bn, 1st ABCT, 1st Inf. Div. “I’m proud of the legacy of the 36th Eng. Bde, but also excited to live up to the legacy of the Big Red One.”
The battalion added another streamer to their collection, when Hairgrove attached the Meritorious Unit Citation streamer to the battalion’s guideon. The unit was awarded the MUC for their actions during Operation Enduring Freedom.
“We go out and do our job not expecting praise, and it’s great to get recognized for it,” Staff Sgt. Joshua Lichtensteiger, digital training management system, HHC, 1st Eng. Bn. said.
The MUC is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service per Army Regulation 600-8-22 chap 7-15.
“Today after 2132 days, we re-establish our link to the BRO, welcome home Diehard,” Hairgrove said.
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2014 12:49 |
| Story ID: | 121486 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 691 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 'Diehard' return back to Big Red One, by Bernhard Lashleyleidner, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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