Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Col. Arthur A. Kandarian, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division...... read more read more
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FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — The 2nd "Strike" Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), introduced Col. (R) John D. Mooneyham as the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment during a ceremony Aug. 18.
Mooneyham, who hails from Dumas Moore, Texas, was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1964 following his graduation from the Panhandle A&M College in Goodwell, Oklahoma.
From a platoon leader and executive officer with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, to a Special Forces officer, Mooneyham has served his country in a variety of ways dating back to 1964. Now, he will take on the role as the honorary colonel of the 502nd Infantry Regiment, where his duties are simply ceremonial. His presence at regimental functions and ceremonies will help foster spirit de corps, traditions and a better sense of regimental history.
Mooneyham is a decorated veteran who will serve the Strike Brigade with much honor and dignity.
While serving his nation at war, Mooneyham earned the Silver Star, three Bronze Star with Valor devices, and three Purple Hearts. He undoubtedly has the credentials and background to yet again serve the 502nd.
"When I first met Col. Mooneyham it was clear to me that the unit he was most proud of in his 29 years of service was when he was a platoon leader and executive officer in Strike Force in Vietnam," said Col. Arthur A. Kandarian, commander, 2nd BCT, as he thank him for excepting this induction as the honorary colonel of the Army's first parachute infantry regiment. "You're now part of our lineage. Your charge is to help us; to be a mentor and honor our regiment during your tour of duty as the honorary colonel."
Mooneyham said he will never know of all the accomplishments of the Soldiers he will serve with in Strike, but, "I know what being a soldier is like and what being in combat is like."
Forty-two years ago on this very day, Mooneyham was deployed to Vietnam.
"We were conducting combat operations. That was the best unit I ever served with in the United States Army," said Mooneyham. "We were professionals, we were Soldiers, we were warriors and we did what we were supposed to do."
He believes he will again serve alongside the best Soldiers within the best regiment in the United States Army.
"How could anyone not want to be of the United States military, because of the honorable profession of what being a Soldier is," he said.
Mooneyham was also given the opportunity that day to help induct 32 Soldiers as Distinguished Members of the Regiment.
"These Soldiers before you have over 80 combat years deployed in service to our nation. We honor them before the regimental colors adorned with the streamers earned with sweat and blood," said Kandarian. "Campaign streamers from WWII, Vietnam, southwest Asia, Iraq. Awards from France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Our colors represent the lineage and honor of the 502nd. Our colors represent the past and the distinguished members of the regiment whose performance in combat were part of the reason why our regiment was awarded these honors."
As the honorary colonel, Mooneyham looks forward to the challenge of continue to honor the lineage those colors represent.
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2009 20:44 |
| Story ID: | 37997 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, US |
| Web Views: | 839 |
| Downloads: | 255 |
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