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| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
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Bob Babcock - "Deeds not Words"
President, Americans Remembered, Inc. - http://www.americansremembered.org
President, 22nd Inf Regt Society - http://www.22ndinfantry.org
Past President/Historian - Nat'l 4th Inf Div Assn - http://www.4thinfantry.org
babcock224@aol.com
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In Tribute to Those TF Ironhorse Soldiers Who Have Made the Ultimate Sacrifice On Our Behalf in 2003:
As we close out 2003, I think it is only appropriate that we take a moment in our own individual way to pay tribute to those fellow soldiers of TF Ironhorse and the 4ID who have given their lives in defense of our way of life since their arrival in Iraq. We should also take a moment of reflection to think about all those coalition military and civilian personnel, not listed here, who have lost their lives in defense of our freedom and the freedom of the Iraqi people.
To the families and friends of those who gave their lives, you have our eternal gratitude for the price your family paid for us and the Iraqi people.
Following are those TF Ironhorse/4ID soldiers who have lost their lives since arrival in Iraq in April. 1LT Osbaldo Orosco, C/1-22 Infantry, was the first KIA, on 25 April 2003. The most recent KIA was SPC Charles Haight, 14th Engr Bn, 555th Engineer Group on 26 December 2003. (It might be of interest to you to know that the first 4ID KIA in Vietnam was PFC Albert Collins, also of C/1-22 Infantry, on September 5, 1966).
4ID / TF IRONHORSE DECEASED PERSONNEL (DNBD/KIA)
NAME, RANK, UNIT, HOME STATION, DATE OF DEATH
DIED NON-BATTLE DEATH (DNBD) - NON-COMBAT RELATED
Allen, Ronald Dean, SPC, 502 PSB, FT. CARSON, 25 AUG 03
Blickenstaff, Joseph, SPC, 3/ 2ID, FT. LEWIS, 9 DEC 03
Boone, CW4, DISCOM, FT. HOOD, 2 DEC 03
Bradley, Kenneth, SSG, 588 EN, FT. HOOD, 28 MAY 03
Bridges, Henry, SSG, 3/2ID, FT. LEWIS, 9 DEC 03
Bush, Charles, PFC, 402 CA, New York, 20 DEC 03
Bush, Matthew, PVT, 1-10 CAV, FT. HOOD, 8 AUG 03
Caldwell, Nathaniel, SPC, 404 ASB, FT. HOOD, 21 MAY
Carl, Richard, CPL, 571st MED, FT. CARSON, 9 MAY 03
Cataudella, Sean, SGT, 3-67 AR, FT. HOOD, 30 AUG 03
Faunce, Brian, CPT, 1-12IN, FT. CARSON, 18 SEP 03
Gukeisen, Hans, CW2, 571st MED, FT. CARSON, 9 MAY 03
Ivory, Craig, SPC, 503 ABN, ITALY, 12 JUN 03
Jordan, Curt E. Jr., SGT, 14 EN, FORT LEWIS, 28 DEC 03
Lucero, Robert, CPT, 4 ID ROC, Casper, Wyoming, 26 SEP 03
Mitchell, Keman, SGT, 4 EN, FT. CARSON, 26 MAY 03
Sahib, Rasheed PFC, 2-20FA, FT. HOOD, 18 MAY 03
Schultz, Christian, SPC, 3-67 AR, FT. HOOD, 11 JUL 03
Van Dusen, Brian, CW3, 571st MED, FT. CARSON, 9 MAY 03
Wesley, Christopher, SPC, 3/ 2ID, FT. LEWIS, 9 DEC 03
Yashinski, Michael, SGT, 501st, ITALY, 24 DEC 03
Civilian Interpreter, N/A, 20 AUG 03
Civilian Prackasan, Olukaran, ESS, 10 AUG 03
Civilian US, KBR, 5 AUG 03
Total - 21 TF Ironhorse, 3 Civilian DNBD
KILLED IN ACTION (KIA) - COMBAT RELATED
Acosta, Genero, SPC, 1-44ADA, FT. HOOD, 11 NOV03
Arriaga, Richard, SPC, 4/42FA, FT. HOOD, 19 SEP03
Barnes, Jonathon, SPC, 1-67 AR, FT. HOOD, 26 JUL03
Barrera, Michael, SGT, 3-67 AR, FT. HOOD, 28 OCT03
Bernstein, David, 1LT, 508IN, ITALY, 19 OCT03
Biskie, Benjamin, SPC, 5 EN, FT LEONARD WOOD, 24 DEC03
Blankenbecler, James, CSM, 1-44ADA, FT. HOOD, 1 OCT03
Brassfield, Artimis, SPC, 1-66 AR, FT. HOOD, 24 OCT03
Campo, Isaac, SPC, 3-67 AR, FT. HOOD, 28 OCT03
Christiansen, Thomas, SSG, 652 MRBC, FT LEWIS, 25 DEC03
Coleman, Gary, CPL, 1-68 AR, FT. CARSON, 21 NOV03
Coulter, Alexander, CW2, HHC 4ID, FT HOOD, 17 NOV03
Davis, Rapheal, SPC, 223 EN, FT HOOD, 2 DEC 03
Esparza-Gutierrez, Ana, PV2, 4FSB, FT. HOOD, 1 OCT03
Fletcher, Jacob, PFC, 503 IN, ITALY, 13 NOV03
Gabrielson, Dan , SFC,652 EN, Ellsworth, Wisconsin, 9 JUL03
Halling, Jesse, PV2, 401st MP, FT. HOOD, 7 JUN03
Haight, Charles G., SPC, 14 EN, FORT LEWIS, 26 DEC03
Haro, Anatacio, SGT, 3/16FA, FT. HOOD, 2 JUN03
Hart, John, PFC, 508 IN, ITALY, 19 OCT03
Hattaner, Steven, SSG, 652 MRBC, FT. LEWIS, 25 DEC03
Herbert, Justin W, SPC, 508 IN, ITALY, 1 AUG03
Johnson, Rashan, PFC, 299 EN, FT. HOOD, 3 NOV03
Lawton, Mark, SSG, 555 CEG, FT LEWIS, 29 AUG03
Mennyweather, Eddie, SSG, 588 EN, FT. HOOD, 23 NOV 03
Methvin, Daniel, SGT, 1-67 AR, FT. HOOD, 26 JUL03
Minucci, Joseph, SGT, 503 IN, ITALY,13 NOV03
Mora, Jose, SPC, 1-12 IN, FT. CARSON, 24 OCT03
Norquist, Joseph, SPC, 588 EN, FT. HOOD, 9 OCT03
Nott, Lief E., 1LT, 1-10 CAV, FT. HOOD, 31 JUL03
Orozco, Osbaldo, 2LT, 1-22 IN, FT. HOOD, 25 APR03
Panchot, Dale, SSG, 1-8 IN, FT. HOOD, 17 NOV03
Perez, Wilfredo, PFC, 1-67 AR, FT. HOOD, 26 JUL03
Pirtle, James, SPC, 2-8 IN, FT. HOOD, 4 OCT03
Powell, James, SPC, 1-22 IN, FT. HOOD, 13 OCT03
Soelzer, Christopher, CPT, 5 EN, FT. LEONARD WOOD, 24 DEC 03
Splinter, Christopher, MAJ, 5 EN, FT. LEONARD WOOD, 24 DEC 03
Sutter, Micheal, SSG, 745th EOD, (not available)
Teal, John, CPT, 2BCT, FT. HOOD, 23 OCT03
Thomas, Kyle, SPC, 503 ABN, ITALY, 26 SEP03
Thompson, Anthony, SGT, 4/42 FA, FT. HOOD, 19 SEP03
Tyrell, Scott, PFC, 299 EN, FT. HOOD, 21 NOV03
Wheeler, Donald, SPC, 1-22 IN, FT. HOOD, 13 OCT03
White, Steven, SGT, 4/42 FA, FT. HOOD, 13 AUG03
Woods, George, CPT, 1-67 AR, FT. HOOD, 20 NOV03
Wright, James, SPC, 4/42 FA, FT. HOOD, 19 SEP03
Wyatt, Steven, PFC, 1-1 7FA, FT. SILL, 13 OCT03
McJennett, Brent, Civilian, Global Security, 17 NOV03
Total - 47 TF Ironhorse, 1 Civilian - KIA
TOTAL IN TF IRONHORSE WHO HAVE MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE SINCE ARRIVAL IN IRAQ = 68 (plus 4 civilians)
As of 12/31/03
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>From Central Command news releases on 12-30-03:
SIGNIFICANT WEAPONS CACHE CONFISCATED
TIKRIT, Iraq – Task Force Ironhorse Second Infantry’s Arrowhead Brigade soldiers discovered a significant weapons cache southeast of Samarra in the morning of Dec. 29. Some of the items located were found in a false wall.
The cache consisted of 43 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 79 rocket-propelled grenades, 19 AK-47 assault rifles, one machine gun, one 40mm grenade launcher, six 60mm mortar tubes with base plates, 7,920 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, more than 160 mortar rounds, 34 100mm BMP rounds, six rifle grenades, 40 82mm fuses, two 40mm grenades, 25 fragmentary grenades, five pounds of artillery propellant, 16 mortar primers, a significant amount of C4 and TNT, one assembled improvised explosive device and materials to make additional devices.
Al Qaeda literature and videotapes were also found as well as a British made ceramic body armor plate with a bullet hole. This is an indication that the enemy faction was testing the personal protection plate’s ability to withstand expended anti-personnel ammunition.
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IVY BLIZZARD UPDATE
TIKRIT, Iraq –Operation Ivy Blizzard continues in Phase II. The operation will transition to Phase III when the conditions are set, which includes when the city council is capable of independent action and when the Iraqi Police and the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps are ready to secure the city. Right now, the earliest time of transition to Phase III is two to three weeks away.
Task Force Ironhorse soldiers are undertaking funding projects in the city of Samarra and the surrounding area in order to demonstrate to the citizens that the Coalition is in Samarra to stay.
Working with the civic and religious leadership of Samarra, Task Force Ironhorse has identified projects and provided money that addressed those priorities through the Commander’s Emergency Relief Fund.
At this point, more than three million dollars have been earmarked for distribution to essential government services such as Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and the Iraqi National Police. The police will receive an initial amount of just under $100,000 for equipment and furnishings for the police station in Samarra, repair of police vehicles and uniforms for the local police.
ICDC will also benefit from the infusion of money. They will receive almost 1.8 million dollars to address similar needs such as purchasing equipment, uniforms and new vehicles and repairing the ICDC headquarters building in Samarra.
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U.S. Forces in Iraq Search for Fighters
By JASON KEYSER
.c The Associated Press
TIKRIT, Iraq (AP) - Through the fog, seven American foot soldiers inch along a muddy neighborhood of small homes and trash-strewn lots, drawing a pesky trail of children who still marvel at the site of these strange warriors.
Iraqi men with heads wrapped in checked scarves scowl from the windows of passing cars.
With the luster of Saddam Hussein's capture fading and an uneasy calm settling over the former dictator's stronghold, U.S. forces grind on, patrolling daily, searching for street fighters who remain elusive, even as commanders say they've honed in on the insurgency's top leadership in this city.
``We'd love for them to put on uniforms and come out,'' said Capt. Mitch Carlisle, a company commander from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 22nd (Infantry) Regiment. ``It's an eery quiet. We don't know what it means. We know there's a lot of bad guys out there.''
On a recent chilly morning, Carlisle, from Sidney, Ohio, stood outside his base at ``Birthday Palace,'' on the western edge of the city, where Saddam would come each year to mark his birth - on April 28, 1937 - appearing on a second floor balcony and firing a rifle shot into the air one-handed before a crowd.
``It's good that Saddam is gone, but for us the fight is still real,'' said Carlisle, wearing yellow sunglasses below his camouflage helmet and chewing tobacco.
Tikrit is still a dangerous place for American forces. There's the occasional mortar attack, and more feared: roadside bombs. They're hidden under sewage drain covers along Tikrit's main Highway No. 1 and even in the slit-open bellies of dead cats and other animals. Others are painted with yellow and white stripes to match the pattern of street curbs.
Iraqis, too, are plodding along toward this country's uncertain future. Civilians have been killed in insurgent bomb attacks and other violence. Jobs have been lost. And for those Iraqis happy at Saddam's downfall, there's still the disappointment of living under an American-led occupation - leaving some feeling simultaneously freed and jailed.
Daily frustrations boil under the surface. Iraqis wait in cars sometimes for more than a day in lines that stretch from gas stations because of fuel shortages and a thriving black market. And most places still suffer power outages.
Outside Tikrit's Birthday Palace - now a cold, soldiers' barracks stacked with cots, TVs, and even outfitted with a weight lifting gym - a daily foot patrol readies to leave. Young soldiers strap on body armor, knee pads and helmets topped with tattered strips of burlap for camouflage.
Along with the seven-man patrol is their interpreter, Ali Ahmed, a 31-year-old Iraqi Kurd who says he's been warned by Iraqi police officers that he's marked for death by local Sunni Muslim fighters who consider him a traitor for working with the Americans.
When he talks of the bounty out on his life he bursts into rolls of laughter that seem meant to shield him from worry.
``Sometimes people downtown yell at me or call out bad words. They call me a spy,'' said Ahmed, whom the soldiers have nicknamed ``Fabio,'' because his shoulder-length, curly hair is slightly reminiscent of the Italian model Fabio Lanzoni.
The patrols have been largely quiet in recent days, giving soldiers time to talk with shopkeepers and residents in hopes of ferreting out tips on insurgents or hidden weapons. No luck this time out. Residents smile uneasily, shake their heads and say they've seen nothing.
The soldiers are a source of intense curiosity for the children who follow, calling out for ``chocolate'' and ``money, money.'' One boy, who plants his bare feet in the mud next to the soldiers' desert combat boots, shouts ``Hello, Mister.''
One of the boys throws a rock and Sgt. Stephen Latch, 24, of Little Rock, Ark., who carries a hulking M-240 machine gun and belts of ammunition over his shoulders, shouts, ``Hey,'' scaring off the kids.
His first deployment in a largely impoverished and far away combat zone came with culture shock. Latch remembers once catching a man beating his wife during a house search. ``We put a stop to that,'' he said. ``It's weird over here. I joined the Army to see places. I guess this is places,'' he said, scanning the street.
A metal gate opens with a loud creak, startling Latch, who rushes over for a look. To his relief, a child's chubby hand springs out of the crack with a thumbs up.
One of his comrades, Pfc. Sanzabeedee Guerrero, 20, of Baconton, Ga., who arrived here in April, remembers when those he was fighting on these patrols still wore uniforms. Now, ``it's a different war out here,'' he said.
The relative calm worries him. ``It's been scary quiet,'' he said. He thinks insurgents are using the lull to re-arm.
As a new year begins, he's thinking of home. He's due to return in March or April, after a year of duty. He's bothered that he missed the second year of his son Cainaan's life. Guerrero last saw the boy on a Web-cam over Christmas, when he told his father he wanted a dog.
``People think time stops when you're out here. Unfortunately it doesn't,'' Guerrero said.
Meanwhile, commanders are upbeat, reporting that after months of intelligence gathering and raids, U.S. forces are close to quelling rebellion in this city.
And many soldiers now talk of getting home, as new replacements are due to arrive.
Graffiti scrawled on the wall of an Army latrine seemed to sum up the feelings of many: ``Iraq sucks!''
12/31/03 04:40 EST
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) My brother is with the 2nd Brigade BRT. He called me Christmas Eve morning to wish us all Merry Christmas and to thank everyone for caring for the unit. He said they were breaking down living quarters to prepare to move once again. They were gathering things up giving them away to the poor families. He said it was quite a Christmas seeing these people so excited about all the things they were being given. He said they were overwhelmed. I could hear it in his voice, he was not missing Christmas at all. These guys managed to have Christmas thier own way, by bringing it to the Iraqis. He said the kids were running all over, gobbling up the goodies as fast as they could hand them out!! It thrilled my heart to know he was ok. This has really taught me, Christmas CAN come no matter where you are, if you let it.
2) My husband is in B/1-67 AR in Baqubah, out of Fort Hood. In a talk with him yesterday he said he had a great time passing out the Christmas presents (there had been so many stored in his living area he barely had room to move around!). Wearing his Santa Hat, as he passed out the gifts, he said the soldiers acted like 5 yr. olds playing with the 'hot wheel' cars, play dough, magic 8 ball, and games we
sent to the platoon. He said they inhaled the cookies and sweet goodies we made and sent over...they had a great dinner. All in all, things considered...they had a good Christmas.
3) My story is a little different. I met a soldier who is now in Iraq. At the time I met him he was in Indiana. Then he was on to his next task. When he left me I thought that he was going to be stationed in Texas. But when he reported to Texas his unit was already in Iraq. So he was on his way. When I met him I had no idea that I would fall in love with him. I did. Our time together was wonderful. I would not change a thing. I count down the days till he is back in the States. I can't wait till he can get a leave and can come and see me. We are hoping to get married when both our missions are complete. That will be a happy day. I am so thankful that so far he has been able to use email and has been able to call me. He is very sweet, caring, loving and dedicated to the army. He is a true soldier. He is my soldier!!!!
4) Thank you for the update from the 173rd yesterday. My son is 64th MP and his platoon was attached to them in October and news from Kirkuk is almost zero. I live for my sons phone calls, however, I find that if he sounds happy I am happy until the next call and if he is sad and depressed then I am also until he calls again. Since this is a slow newsweek, let's hope it stays that way.... (Editor's Note: I am always looking for news from all TF Ironhorse units. If you have news to share on a unit that we don't hear much from, let me know).
5) We received a phone call early Christmas morning from our son in C-3/16 FA. He is located about 20 miles north of Baghdad at a hospital complex. He just got done eating Christmas dinner; steak potatoes stuffing etc. In Nov. we sent cards out individually to each soldier in his unit. We were honored some took the time to write back thanking us. One 1SG even sent us some candid pictures of my son with his buddies. (I was thrilled to get those!)
6) Happy Holidays! Heard from my daughter who is with 21st CSH this morning at 4 am and is in Balad. She got to see her husband who is B Co 2/8 yesterday. She said his unit had to go get some supplies and they let him visit with her for a couple hours and picked him up on the way back. She said he looked really good. They hadn't seen each other since early October when he got his R & R and went home to Ft Hood to see their newborn son. She said her unit set her up good by telling her that a Col was outside the OR, wanting to talk to her and was really mad..She wasn't sure what was going on until she got outside the tent and saw him and a friend standing there. Glad to see that they still have their sense of humor. And what a great way to start the new year! Still hoping that they both return on schedule and come get their son and begin being a family. As always, our thoughts and prayers are with all of them. Just sign me a proud mother and mother-in-law
7) I was so excited to be awakened this morning by our son in the 1-12th Ft. Carson Co. It had been over a month since our last call...... He was talking about all the nice things that have been happening there. Really good to hear about these things. Then we got cut off the phone. So I was sitting here feeling good about the call(even if it was short) when there he was on the pc wow! that was really neat.. got to talk on there too! now how lucky is that? Oh yes and Bob he said to tell you he is sooo short he will be "needing a ladder to lace his boots" humm guess that's short. Thank you for all your work on the updates... even through the holidays. I never knew how hard this time of year could be.
8) Our son is a medic with 1-22 C-CO in Tikrit at Saddam's Birthday Palace. They now have e-mail and 6 phones. It's been a long time coming. I suppose it's never to late to have a communication system in place. He's received all Christmas packages we sent well before the holiday. He says they have electricity but on again off again and the generator seems to always be broken down...... He passed on R&R so another soldier in his company could come home. Were all very proud of our Army Medic and the job all our soldiers are doing. Can't wait until all of them are back on American soil. Happy New Year, Peace.
9) Dear Bob, I don't know if you remember me, but I had written to you a while ago telling you that my husband is in B Co 2-8IN and that I was in the 21st Combat Support Hospital. Well, my husband has been over here as of last April and I have just returned to my unit after the birth of my now 4 month old son. I got to Iraq on Christmas night after a long journey and a week stay in Kuwait. Well, to my suprise Monday afternoon when I had just finished my last case (I work in the OR, I am a surgical Tech) I go to put my supplies away and one of the nurses comes and gets me because my husband was here!! I can't even begin to tell you how happy I was! He only got to stay for about 2 hours, but it was the best. Isn't it funny how going all the way around the world can bring part of your family back together! Till we all come home God Bless our soldiers! (Editor's Note: This is the daughter's view of the story her mother told in item #6 above - great that they could get together after all those months).
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Families Sharing R&R Moments:
1) We weren't sure if our son (223rd Eng. Bn./MS in Baqubah) would get the chance to take the 15 day leave or not, but when he called and said he was coming home and would just make it past Christmas was truly a blessing. We were so thankful that we were able to share our Christmas with him. We also felt guilty to have him when so many were unable to be with their families. Our thoughts and prayers were with those that were separated, and especially for those families that have lost their loved ones. He had not changed much, a little taller. Didn't take this young single soldier long to get back into the old swing of things. The cell phone became glued to his ear again and we saw him a few minutes each day before heading out into the night with friends. But I am thankful that he has taken this whole experience in stride and has many friends that are glad to see him home. The many hugs I got will help get me through the months ahead. I pray everyone has a Happy New Year and that God continues to bless each and every one.
2) My son is in the 2nd Brigade Recon and surprised me two weeks before Christmas! What a surprise, he told me he wasn't able to get leave! We had a great visit. He was able to visit with his daughter and the rest of the family. His uncles couldn't get over how much of a man he had become since he had left. He was also invited to speak to a couple of classes at a school near by which shocked me that he did because he never liked speaking in front of a group of people. I also have a son in the Navy who had not spoken or seen his brother in a year and was out on a mini cruise when we were surprised with my sons visit. As it turned out my Navy son got in the day before his brother was to leave. We were able to have our Christmas early with everyone present. What a treat! I do feel he was ready to go back. He was well rested and tired of not working.
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