187th Rakkasans – part (4)
In March 2010, the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, joined Task Force Rakkasan units in Paktya province as a battle space owning unit in AO Rakkasan. Task Force Avalanche conducted 65 major named operations, over 4,300 combat patrols and 9 air assault operations, including Task Force Rakkasan’s largest combined air assault operation of the deployment in support of Operation Champion Stone.
During OEF X-XI, Soldiers earned or were nominated for 132 Army Commendation Medals (Valor). 44 Soldiers were decorated with the Bronze Star Medal (Valor). Additionally, two Soldiers were decorated with the Silver Star Medal. Nearly 1,600 individual Task Force Soldiers earned combat badges for participating in direct combat against the enemy for the first time. Almost 1,100 Combat Infantryman Badges (CIB), over 1,300 Combat Action Badges (CAB), and 117 Combat Medical Badges (CMB). As a testament to the sacrifice, troopers from Task Force Rakkasan made in service to the nation, 229 Soldiers earned Purple Hearts for battle injuries. 17 Task Force Rakkasan Soldiers paid the ultimate price.
Units
Headquarters and Headquarters Company “Samurai Rakkasans”
1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment “Leader Rakkasans”
2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment “White Currahee Rakkasans”
3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment “Iron Rakkasans”
1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment “War Rakkasans”
21st Brigade Engineer Battalion “Rak Solid Rakkasans”
626th Brigade Support Battalion “Assurgam Rakkasans”
In August 2019, the Rakkasans received a new commander, Col. John Cogbill, who has commanded the unit for two years, will pass the brigade colors to Col. Brandon Teague.
“For the past two years, it has been an honor and privilege to serve as commander of this outstanding organization,” said Cogbill. “This brigade has a unique mission, with Soldiers currently training for unknown missions anywhere in the world. Initially it was for a U.S. Central Command mission, later, focused readiness, with focus in East Asia, transitioning to a Regionally Aligned Forces focus in support of Africa Command. During my tenure, we were the most ready brigade in the Army, and as such, would have been one of the first to be called. I’m proud of this team and all they’ve done, and all they will do in the future.”
“It is my distinct honor to take command of this historic organization,” said Teague. “I look forward to continuing to build upon the strong legacy of this brigade and preparing our Soldiers for our next rendezvous with destiny.”
A last minute item I discovered from the Rakkasans – Awards received for their field culinary creativity!!
It is because of the heroic service of these brave airborne soldiers that the colors of the Regiment fly proudly, fifteen Citations for Valorous and Meritorious service and twenty three Battle Campaign Streamers. No other Airborne Regiment can equal that record and the Rakkasans stand proudly at, and have earned, “the right of the line”, amongst their sister Airborne Regiments, ever mindful of their Regimental motto.
”Ne Desit Virtus” — “Let Valor Not Fail”!
They have not —– and shall not
To be continued by forthcoming generations, we hope…
Click on images to enlarge.
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Current News – We can all make a difference! American Legion
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Alfred Altmiller – Lipscomb County, TX; US Navy, WWII
Carl Davis Jr. – Sidney, OH; US Army, Korea & Vietnam, Sgt. (Ret. 20 y.)
Charles Evers – Jackson, MS; US Army, WWII / mayor
George M. Fisher Sr. (100) – Bedford, PA; US Army, WWII, PTO, Co. B/44th Tank Battalion / Korea, (Ret. 21 y.)
Jack Halpin – Washington D.C.; US Navy, WWII, PTO / CIA (Ret.)
William Jenkins – Conway Springs, KS; US Navy, WWII, PTO, gunner’s mate, USS Corregidor
Lillian Meidinger – Huntsville, AL; Civilian, Civil Air Patrol, WWII, pilot
Jack Park – Flint, MI; US Army, WWII, PTO
Sidney Schlain – Hartford, CT; US Army, WWII, ETO
Marjorie Watson (101) – Taradale, NZ; Red Cross, WWII, PTO & ETO, Nurse # 820748
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Posted on July 30, 2020, in Current News, Post WWII, Uncategorized and tagged 11th airborne, 187th Reg., Airborne, Army, family history, Food, History, Military, Military History, paratroopers, Tributes, veterans. Bookmark the permalink. 73 Comments.
Sorry maar had nog nooit gehoord van deze indrukwekkende mannen dus na het lezen weer heel wat bijgeleerd
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Ik dank u dat u de tijd heeft genomen om erover te lezen !!
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Interesting reading gp, I think Australia adapted your CIB to instigate the Australian ICB, similar requirements I believe, Laurel Leaf with Bayonet, I have mine from my days in Vietnam.
Cheers.
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Thank you for your opinion, Ian. That means a great deal.
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My pleasure mate
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It’s always interesting to read about how these units changed after World War II ended, and what still lives on 70+ years later.
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I am so pleased that the 187th still has its history despite the 11th A/B being dissolved. I’m very happy you found it interesting.
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The culinary article was interesting, too, GP. Hot dogs were never a favorite of mine, but the descriptions sound good!
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I’ll have one as a snack or at a baseball game, but those look like an entire meal! haha
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An awesome outfit
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That they are! Thank you for reading about them.
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🙂
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Quite a powerful image at the top GP. I didn’t know much about these guys. Thanks.
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I think that painting helps to show the feeling the troops have toward their unit.
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Really impressed by this group’s record. Especially enjoyed the pictures.
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Much appreciated, Bev. I am so proud my father was there when it started!!
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Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
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Thank you, Rick!
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A great service record. I personally want to say Thank you for their service
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Thank you for that Rick and I will also do my best to get this series to their association.
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I looked at the photo of Colonel Brandon Teague and thought, “They’re letting kids command the forces?” Funny how you don’t realize the passage of years until your soldiers, doctors, dentists, and so on suddenly seem like teenagers! I really have enjoyed this most recent series. You have a knack for bringing out the humanity of the troops who defend us.
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I’m happy to hear that, Linda. People all too often talk about the military as a whole – forgetting there are individuals standing in those ranks.
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Thank you for another part of this great history, GP! For here i really cant remember any culinary highlights at German “Bundeswehr”. Lol Enjoy you weekend. Michael
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I thank you, Michael, for you loyal visits here. Have a safe and happy weekend!
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Thank you very much too, GP! For all the very interesting information. Great to get better knowledge of what really happend, and how the soldiers felt. Have a beautiful weekend too. 🙏🏻
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I think I’ve missed the previous posts of this fascinating history, and I am sorry I did. Will have to go back to read them. Thank you for educating me, GP.
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No problem, Dolly. These are difficult times and in some ways, we are busier than ever.
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I am teaching online, GP, and as I am a self-proclaimed techno-idiot, I take every webinar offered by college where I work, and then spend hours converting it into practice. When this is done, I have to hold hands (figuratively) of those of my students who are still afraid of computers. My students are older, and most of them are second language speakers. Some of them are having a very hard time with this “virtual educational environment,” and I feel for them. So I make arrangements to meet them online outside of my virtual office hours, at their convenience. I apologize for this long explanation, but I also feel guilty when I miss so much of my blogo-friends’ work.
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You have a worthwhile job – don’t ever feel guilty. Remember – Priorities first!!
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I know, GP, and I thank you!
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I had to jump over to the article about the winning hot dog–couldn’t resist!
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I thought after everything military we talk about, the cooks could use the attention too. Besides, a human interest story now and then helps to break up the monotony. Thanks for hopping over there, Liz!!
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You’re welcome! That was quite a collection of hot dog toppings.
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I thought very creative!
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Even more creative if they actually remain atop the dog when it’s eaten!
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That would be amazing!
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I hope so, too, GP!
The slideshow made me teary-eyed.
Thank you for sharing the Rakkasans with us and for honoring them in such a wonderful way!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…as for the Humor…well, sometimes we learn best, when we learn the hard way. 😉 😀
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Thank you for this and for ALL your wonderful comments!!
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Any ‘bragging’ was more than justified, GP. A great history of a fighting unit through the generations.
Best wishes, Pete,
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Thanks!
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Thank you, again, GP. A super telling of an honorable history
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Much appreciated, John. I hope I didn’t brag too much – then again, I hope I did!
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Those heroes deserve all the brag they can get.
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I agree!!
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Reblogged this on Dave Loves History.
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Great cartoons. Brought back a lot of painful memories.
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I hope you can laugh about them now, Don!
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The Rakkasans have much to be proud of. Thanks for sharing their history.
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Thank you very much!
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Such a shame any had to die.
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Isn’t THAT the truth!
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Nice comments from Cogbill and Teague. I love this side of military command.
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It shows their true character to me.
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I agree with Don, G. Good comment. –Curt
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Wow… such an impressive group, GP. This post honors them well. I like the artwork too — vibrant and detailed. Hugs on the wing.
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Thank you, Teagan. It’s a rather short synopsis of their actions over the decades, despite it running for 4 posts.
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It’s remarkable how many awards they received. Truly an amazing group of courageous soldiers!!!
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I so agree, Rose. It’s makes me feel good knowing those troops are out there!
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Great post! Military humor got me smiling, then chuckling… 🤭 😂 thanks GP!
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I’m ALWAYS happy to hear that!! Thanks, Beck!
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Had to smile at the toons 😊 the soldiers must be proud to have such a history.
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I know they are! Thank you for going through all 4 posts!
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Cartoons are great. I never suspected there were so many kinds of Raskkasarans. I scheduled a reblog of the American Legions cards to veterans for tomorrow. Keep up the good work, GP. I don’t think many Americans have enough historical knowledge (or maybe aren’t as old as some of us) to appreciate how relevant WWII still is.
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The 187th RCT was part of the 11th Airborne Division, but once they were sent to help protect Europe, the 187th was sent to Korea and it altered from there.
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Love the cartoons!
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I try to have something for everyone.
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It would be wonderful if they could train but not be called to fight, but that is not the world we live in. Until it is, it’s comforting to know that these soldiers are ready.
Thank you GP, for bringing us their history.
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That is a great comment, Dan. Thanks!
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My pleasure, GP. You’ve really brought out, in this series, how much these people train and how hard they work to be prepared, and how they ARE prepared when they are called to serve.
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I appreciate you recognizing this.
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Today’s humour!
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Good to see you smile!
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