Since the liberation of the city of Cantigny, France to the liberation of Mosul – the second largest city in Iraq – the First Infantry Division (1ID) has led and continues tImage may be NSFW.
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o lead the nation to victory.
On June 8, 1917 the First Expeditionary Division (as it was called then) was officially organized in New York City. Since it’s inception Big Red One soldiers have led the nation in battle in nearly every major conflict.
The First Infantry Division led the charge in World War One, World War Two, and Vietnam; they were also the first to return to Iraq in 2014. Aside from being the first, the Division went to battle in nearly every other conflict since 1917.
Today, that storied history was celebrated – on the 100th anniversary of the Big Red One.
“We started off with a Division run today, all the soldiers were fired up across Fort Riley; and then we had our Victory with Honors today, really marking the history of this great Division,” said Fort Riley and 1ID Acting Senior Commander Brigadier General Patrick Frank.
The Victory with Honors ceremony this morning recounted the history of the Division with visual representations through uniforms and streamers representing the various conflicts throughout 100 years.
“We are the nation’s oldest Division; so Blackjack Pershing knew exactly what regiments he wanted to form into the First Division for the nation as they went into World War One,” said Frank. “In fact he said ‘Lafayette we are back’ as they arrived in France – that’s a pretty powerful statement for our yoImage may be NSFW.
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ung nation at the time as the First Infantry Division went into battle against the enemies in Europe.”
For those witnessing the ceremony, it was powerful and inspiring – for Frank, he said he feels a great deal of pride in representing and being a part of the Big Red One.
“That type of pride, and knowing that we have soldiers that are out there in harm’s way impacts all the 10,000 soldiers that were in the run this morning; and you can see that unit pride in the Big Red One come out [of them] from PT (physical training) in the morning to final formation at night.”
The 1ID has fought in five wears with 35 Medal of Honor recipients and more than 35 campaign participation credits.
No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great, Duty First!
