Photo By Lauren Harrah | Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal, the 2nd Infantry Division commanding general, and Lt. Col....... read more read more
CAMP HOVEY, South Korea – The 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division received the Valorous Unit Award during a ceremony at Camp Hovey, South Korea, Jan. 14.
Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal, the 2nd Infantry Division commanding general, presented the award, recognizing the courageous actions of 4-7th Cavalry Regiment troopers during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
“Today we add another page to our history books and to this proud battalion, this proud squadron,” said Vandal. “With the addition of the Valorous Unit Award, 4-7th Cavalry Regiment has earned recognition for its extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy, at the time fighting against the Iraqi army, the fourth-largest army in the world.”
Established in 1966, the Valorous Unit Award is the second-highest unit award following the Presidential Unit Award and is equivalent to the Silver Star presented to a unit. The award commends the heroic acts and sacrifice of units engaged in combat against an armed enemy of the U.S. or while fighting alongside friendly foreign forces during an armed conflict against an armed force not declared an enemy of the U.S.
“Today we will receive a 43rd streamer from the hand of our division commander, the Valorous Unit Award for the squadron’s actions during Operation Desert Storm,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey P. Gottlieb, commander of 4-7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ABCT, 2nd Infantry Division.
Charging forward into southern Iraq, Soldiers of 4-7th Cavalry Regiment continuously engaged Iraqis’ first line of defense and ultimately helped cripple the 9th Armored Brigade, Tawakalna Mechanized Division of the Republican Guard in the Battle of Phase Line Bullet.
“Their actions in combat almost 24 years ago during Operation Desert Storm demonstrates individual courage and sacrifice in the face of conflict,” said Vandal. “This honor recognizes a unit who lived, trained and fought together. A unit who moved to the sound of the guns in the Middle East on short notice, and Soldiers who sacrificed in the interest of our nation to liberate Kuwait and destroy in less than 100 hours what was considered to be a seasoned army of veterans that had fought for over 10 years in the Iran-Iraq War.”
The troopers of 4-7th Cavalry Regiment demonstrated selfless service and made a significant contribution within the Kuwait theater of operations, setting an example for future Soldiers to follow.
“If we could talk to the troopers of 1991, we would thank them for their hard work, bravery, sweat, the blood they shed to liberate Kuwait and the great example they have set for us over the last 24 years,” said Gottlieb.
The gallant efforts of those who served during Operation Desert Storm will not be taken for granted. It stands as reminder of the strength Soldiers derive from those who have come before, explained Vandal.
“Every streamer on our colors represents troopers who have gone before us who have sacrificed for our nation,” said Gottlieb. “We will do everything we can to uphold their great legacy and to be worthy of the example they have set for us.”
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.19.2015 23:48 |
| Story ID: | 152259 |
| Location: | CAMP HOVEY, KR |
| Web Views: | 1,488 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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