Press Release
☷History as a Discipline The Iron Brigade Learns About Its Lineage in Italy
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Jan 30,2024
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Dr . John Clark , a retired U . S . Army officer and military historian , leads the crew of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division through a bird ' s - eye view of the terrain during an oral retelling of the Battle of Anzio - Nettuno on January 25 . , 2024 . The staff tour of the battlefield included a variety of points of historical importance to the 1st Armored Division ' s contributions to the liberation of Italy . ( U . S . Army . Trevaris Johnson ) 0 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division Staff discuss the logistical challenges of a pivotal battlefield forged by Campo dei Carni , also known as "Camp Meat" during the one - on - one Battle of Anzio - Nettuno . From the team ' s Battlefield Crew January 24 - 26 , 2024 they travel across the battlefields of World War II . The staff tour of the battlefield included a variety of points of historical interest to the 1st Armored Division ' s contributions to the liberation of Italy . ( U . S . Army Spc . Trevaris Johnson ) 0 Dr . John Clark , a retired U . S . Army officer and military historian , leads the staff of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division , through a bird ' s - eye view of the terrain during a verbal recount of events . Battle of Anzio - Nettuno on January 25 , 2024 . The staff ' s battlefield excursion included a variety of historical highlights of the 1st Armored Division ' s contributions to the liberation of Italy . ( U . S . Army Spc . Trevaris Johnson ) 0 U . S . Army Sgt . 1st Class Nakisha Armstrong , assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division , receives the Medal of Honor during a staff tour of the battlefield near Anzio , Italy on January 25 , 2024 . The staff tour of the battlefield included a variety of historical events . Important for the 1st Armored Division ' s contributions to the liberation of Italy . ( U . S . Army Spc . Trevaris Johnson ) 0 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division crew and Dr . John Clark , a retired U . S . Army officer stop for a group photo on the Italian skyline; By climbing the mountains , the General Staff established an observation point to better understand the strategic decisions of the Battle of Anzio - Nettuno on 25 January 2024 . The staff ' s tour of the battlefield included a variety of points of historical importance for the contributions of the 1st Armored Division to Tahrir . In Italy . ( U . S . Army . Trevaris Johnson ) 0 Brigade staff from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division , traverse the streets of Italy during a staff tour of the battlefield Jan . 25 , 2024 , to highlight the 1st Armored Division ' s contributions to the war . Liberation of Italy during World War II . The staff tour of the battlefield included a variety of points of historical interest to the 1st Armored Division ' s contributions to the liberation of Italy . ( US Army Spc . Trevaris Johnson ) 0 US Army Col . Dwight Domengeaux , the commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division , took his brigade staff to The Sicily - Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno , Italy for an impromptu Retreat Ceremony during a battlefield staff ride on January 26 , 2024 . The staff ride included visiting historically significant sites related to the 1st Armored Division ' s role in liberating Italy . U . S . Army Cpt . Jaclyn Mazza and U . S . Army 1st Lt . Megan O ' Farrell also paid their respects to fallen soldiers at the cemetery . Additionally , the staff ride included a visit to the Beach Head War Cemetery near Anzio , Italy on January 25 , 2024 . The three - day trip aimed to explore the important contributions of the 1st Armored Division and the Allied forces ' victory in the liberation of Italy . John Clarke , a retired Army Officer and military historian , traveled through the towns of Coperno and Nettuno before reaching Anzio . Clarke expressed that his job is special because he gets to witness the historical significance of soldiers from the 1st Armored Division recounting the steps of troops who sacrificed so much . He believes that seeing the battlefield and experiencing the challenges and struggles of these soldiers helps him understand their journey better . The expedition was organized to give the command staff a firsthand understanding of the battles and logistical challenges faced by the Allied forces during this crucial phase of the war . Dr . Clarke , who provided valuable insights into the historical context , emphasized the importance of the event , stating that it serves as a bridge between the past and present , equipping them with tools to create the next generation of leaders . U . S . Army Cpt . Sam Heydinger , assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company , 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division , also emphasized the impact of the journey , explaining that learning about the soldiers who fought in Anzio brings a strong sense of responsibility . Heydinger described the Sicily - Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno , where 7900 American service members are buried , and mentioned how emotional it was to perform the Retreat ceremony there . U . S . Army Col . Dwight Domengeaux , the commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division , stressed the broader significance of paying tribute to their predecessors ' achievements . He expressed that witnessing large - scale combat operations is a valuable experience and helps the staff gain a full visualization of ground attacks , amphibious forces , and logistical support . The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division played a crucial role in liberating Italy and contributing to the overall success of the Allied forces in Europe during World War II . As the staff traced their predecessors ' footsteps in Anzio , they not only honored the valor of Combat Command Bravo but also deepened their understanding of the historical context that shapes their unit ' s identity . Domengeaux shared that in the age of an all - volunteer force , reconnecting with their unit ' s lineage is even more important and emphasized the need for both military personnel and civilians to understand what unites them . And it ' s even more important for us to keep that connection . Understanding the past , the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division , not only paid tribute to the brave soldiers of the 1st Armored Division who fought in Italy during World War II but also strengthened the bonds among its members , creating a shared sense of pride and responsibility . "I can ' t express enough how grateful I am for this experience , " Heydinger concluded . "We walked through the battlefield where fallen soldiers fought , saw the grounds they fought for , and even discussed the logistical challenges they faced . It was truly a once - in - a - lifetime experience . " The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team has many combat - capable forces in Europe . Its purpose is to prevent aggression , and if that fails , to stand alongside our Allies and partners against it . The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division , is currently stationed in Europe to support the 3rd Infantry Division , V Corps at Drawsko Combat Training Center , Poland .
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