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By Spc. Wes Landrum
Desert Voice staff writer
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait — June 6, 1944, dawned early for the men of the 116th Infantry Regiment as they led the first wave ashore on Omaha Beach in the largest seaborne landing ever – D-Day. According to the unit's history, the regiment was the only National Guard regiment to participate in the first wave during that historic day. The 116th, a subordinate unit of the 29th Infantry Division, was responsible for a section 3,000 yards long that contained two passages inland. Their job was to open the routes for other units to drive inland.
More than 60 years later, the past met the present at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 28, as Soldiers of the battalion received a departing gift from their Navy brethren – a World War II helmet with the 29th ID logo on it. Chief Petty Officer Michael A. Estok, Area Support Group – Kuwait security force, said the 116th Inf. Regt. and the Navy worked together on that fateful day in 1944 and, 64 years later, joined forces once again to combat a common enemy.
"The U.S. Navy delivered the 29th Infantry Division, Virginia National Guard, to the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. The Soldiers of Virginia and the 3rd of the 116th are once again on the beaches, this time in Kuwait providing a vital effort in the Global War on Terrorism in Operation Iraqi Freedom," Estok said.
Estok said the Soldiers were responsible for providing security at a seaport in Kuwait and securing assets leaving the port to destinations throughout the U.S. Army Central area of operations.
Lt. Col. John M. Epperly, 3rd Bn., 116th Inf. Regt., commanding officer, said the two branches of service worked closely together to reach a common goal – port security.
"I told you guys, from week one, that we are the closest joint team in Kuwait," Epperly said. "The last time we were together that close was when helmets like this were worn and we had our patch on the front of our helmet."
The helmet was donated by Gary Underhill from Reno, Nev. Underhill also preserved and restored the piece before giving it to the Navy Petty Officer 1st Class David Hayes, an individual augmentee to the battalion, said.
"With a 'can do' spirit, the Navy personnel used all their vital resources to ensure that we left the Army with something memorable to show their families upon their return to Virginia," Hayes said.
The Soldiers of Company D, 3rd Bn., 116th Inf. Regt., were the first to see the helmet. Capt. Jim Tierney, the company commander, said the presentation was humbling.
"It really is a great representation of the time when the 116th and the Navy worked closely together back in the 1940s during the D-Day invasion," the Charlottesville, Va., native said. "We have not worked this closely in a long tim,e so it will be proudly displayed and capture the memories of what we did here in Kuwait.
Tierney said the presentation caught everyone by surprise and it would be a big hit at the unit's veterans reunion in November.
"We are able to have a regimental muster every year," he said. "Unfortunately, the group is getting smaller but we get a group of D-Day veterans who were there in the first wave. It's a humbling experience to talk to them and to have this back in the company's possession is great."
Epperly told the Soldiers present that history had a way of repeating itself. He said the unit is playing a major role in fighting the Global War on Terrorism just like they played a key role during the D-Day invasion that June day.
"You guys are a part of history. You look back at our regimental colors, you see 42 battle streamers. You guys will add a streamer to it," Epperly told the Soldiers in attendance. "What you've done here is special and it's generational. This is really evident of that," he said pointing to the helmet.
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2008 10:59 |
| Story ID: | 18839 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 249 |
| Downloads: | 231 |
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