Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Nichols reflects on his service during Operation Desert Storm at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Nichols served as the command sergeant major of 1st Brigade Combat Team, “Bastogne,” and later as the command sergeant major of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, “Rakkasans.”
Recognized as a Champion of Fort Campbell, Nichols was honored in 2021 for his lasting legacy and contributions to the division.
For Gen. Richard A. Cody, the “Screaming Eagle” patch of the 101st Airborne Division is more than an insignia. It’s a connection to a legacy that traces back to the moonlit skies over Normandy.
His career spans from Operation Desert Storm to helping shape today’s all-volunteer Army.
“I’m a bit of a historian,” Cody said in a recent interview, reflecting on what he called the “unbelievable bravery” of the World War II generation.
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – The words of Maj. Gen. William C. Lee, the first commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division, have attained a near-mythical status amongst the Screaming Eagles. Oft quoted is his assertion that “The 101st has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny.” Much is made of the second clause; the ”Rendezvous with Destiny” the Division has faced and continues to stare down. The first half, however,...
