CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- Members of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and elements of the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, were recently honored during a Purple Heart Ceremony at Camp Taji, Iraq. The Soldiers were presented Purple Heart awards by the 1st Cavalry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Pete Chiarelli, for wounds received in the battle of Najaf, with the Marine Corps last August.
The Battalion helped Marines from the 4th Infantry Division and Iraqi Security Forces take back control of the holy city from Muqtada Al Sadr's militia, who were using it as stronghold for anti-Iraq activity. The battle was seen as the first strategic victory for the Iraqi Government.
In a speech to the troops, Chiarelli said, "It is true this battalion went to Najaf and made Marine Corps history. In a way I think the Marine Corps thinks this battalion belongs to them. The work you did in Najaf was amazing and I know you are ready to go do it again."
The award comes on the eve of a new assault on the city of Fallujah, which is seen as a bastion for insurgents in Iraq. For weeks, the military has launched precision air strikes in an attempt to destroy the Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his inner circle. The strikes were performed in hopes of avoiding an assault of the city, which lies 40 miles northwest of Baghdad.
Soldiers of the 2-7 Cav. and elements of 2-162 Inf. are scheduled to participate with the Marines once again in the upcoming assault if no peace agreements are reached by officials. Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi will make the final decision for an offensive attack if talks fail.
Chiarelli decorated 19 Soldiers in all. Some of the Soldiers, such as Sgt. Joseph Howell of Oregon, were second time recipients of the award since their arrival in Iraq. The Purple Heart award is the oldest award given in the military and dates back to1782 when General George Washington established it for gallant actions.
"Only three were given in the entire revolutionary war," Chiarelli said. With it's gold plating, the award is said to cost more to make than any other award in the military, including the Medal of Honor, the Army's highest medal of achievement.
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2004 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2004 15:45 |
| Story ID: | 616 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 160 |
| Downloads: | 13 |
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