'Phoenix' battalion holds combat patch ceremony

Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Bradley Thompson of Clermont, Fla.; Pvt. Michael Clark of Long Beach, Calif.; Spc. Rose Huerta of Woodland, Ala.; 1st Lt. Randy Chambers of District of Columbia; 2nd Lt. Todd Geszvain of Burlington, Wis.; and Spc. Heather White of Littleton, Colo.; assigned to the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, show off their combat patches May 7, 2010.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IRAQ

05.08.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Staff Sgt. Jacquelyn M. Lewis
3rd STB, 4th Inf. Div.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq– The 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted a combat patch ceremony May 8 at COB Adder.

Lt. Col. William Edwards, battalion commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Henry Williams, command sergeant major of 3rd STB, recognized 98 Soldiers as the unit's newest combat veterans.

The combat patch ceremony is a rite of passage for deployed Soldiers formally acknowledging their combat service.

"I now have a greater understanding and appreciation for the combat patch. I was pleased to see so many new Soldiers who are willing to stand up and fight for their country," said Sgt. Christopher Rose of Medford, Ore., military police team leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd STB.

For some, the ceremony brought smiles of happiness and pride. For others, it was a solemn moment. However, for everyone it was just another example of the solidarity that runs deep in "Phoenix" battalion.

"I was extremely proud to receive my combat patch. It made me feel like a part of an Army tradition that not every Soldier gets to experience. It has made me feel closer to the unit and its history," said, Pvt. Dave Utile of Miami, Fla., HHC, 3rd STB.

The 4th Infantry Division was organized at Camp Greene, N.C., on Dec. 10, 1917, under the command of Maj. Gen. George H. Cameron. It was there they adopted the distinctive insignia of the four ivy leaves. The ivy leaf came from the Roman numerals for four (IV) and signified their motto "Steadfast and Loyal."

"The 4th Infantry Division patch ceremony was a significant event for our Soldiers," said Lt. Col. William Edwards, battalion commander, 3rd STB. "It was a great way to forge bonds between those who have deployed in the past with those new to the unit. Additionally, it created a link to great Soldiers of the past, forging forever a bond of camaraderie that spans past conflicts."

• Date Taken: 05.08.2010
• Date Posted: 05.21.2010 08:57
• Story ID: 50054
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ