Photo By Spc. William Rogers | Col. Keith W. Benedict, commander of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry...... read more read more
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FORT CARSON, Colo. - The 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, cased its colors and inactivated in a ceremony, July 16, at Fort Carson, Colorado.
The inactivation is part of the Army's larger restructuring plan, designed to generate new capabilities and rebalance its current formations.
“These Destroyers served on the extreme edge of the nation's might,” said Col. Keith W. Benedict, commander of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. “History would be different if our Destroyers had not done what so few could not do in so many instances, across multiple deployments, in multiple theaters, and in each and every troop.”
The unit was first constituted in the Army in 1941 as the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion. It was inactivated at the end of WWII and reactivated in 2004 as the 61st Cavalry Regiment. Its mission changed to support the nation throughout multiple wars, conflicts, and battle spaces.
The 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, is one of the Army’s most decorated units. It served during the Global War on Terrorism Campaign and has two Medal of Honor recipients: Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha and Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter.
On Oct. 3, 2009, Combat Outpost Keating in Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, came under complex attack by an enemy force estimated at 300 fighters.
Romesha and Carter displayed extraordinary heroism during a day-long engagement in which he neutralized enemy troops, recovered fallen Soldiers, and led multiple recovery, resupply, and counterattack operations, all while under heavy, small arms and indirect fire that lasted more than six hours.
One of the unit's many awards came from Combined Task Force Mountain Warrior from April 6, 2014 to Dec. 1, 2014. The unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for conducting combat operations to defeat insurgent forces.
These accomplishments and many more were highlighted during the ceremony, which was characterized by contemplation and celebration.
The squadron's historic achievements and honors were acknowledged, and the audience was asked to remember those Soldiers who sacrificed their lives to complete their mission.
Lt. Col. Daniel Bell, commander of 3-61 Cav., invited all those from the past and present in attendance to join the ranks one last time.
Bell said he is sad the colors are being cased, but he is hopeful that at some point in the future, the nation will require the services of the storied squadron, and these colors will rise again.
| Date Taken: | 07.16.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2024 10:55 |
| Story ID: | 476377 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 75 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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