Photo By Master Sgt. Douglas Roles | Camp Arifjan, KUWAIT – (left to right) Maj. Gen. Andrew Shafer (left) and Command...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Matthew Keeler
28 ID, Task Force Spartan Public Affairs
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division marks its 139th birthday – the day that it was formed by order of the governor– today, March 12, 2018. The division’s current commander, Maj. Gen. Andrew Schafer, is known to his soldiers as a military history buff. He used the occasion to detail some of the storied unit’s early history.
During a birthday celebration at the division headquarters’ forward location in Kuwait, Schafer explained that the 28 ID is America’s oldest continuously-serving Army division. He also noted that the division traces its lineage to one of America’s most famous patriots.
“As the 38th commanding general and steward for the 28th Infantry Division, it is my honor to be here today with the officers, soldiers, and friends of the division to celebrate a lineage that dates back to March 12, 1879,” said Schafer.
It was on that day Pa. Gov. Henry Hoyt signed General Order Number One appointing Maj. Gen. John Hartranft as the first division commander of the National Guard of Pennsylvania.
Mobilized as part of the Spanish War of 1898, it wasn’t until 1917 that what was then the “7th Division” was re-designated as the 28 ID, said Schafer. The iconic red keystone patch, which is the same shape and size for all Pa. Army National Guard units, was officially adopted by the 28 ID in 1918.
During WWI, the division’s soldiers were referred to as “Men of Iron” by Gen. John Pershing, commanding general of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe, for their spirit and defiance in the face of overwhelming German forces. It was during the second battle of the Marne, that the division earned the motto “Iron Division.”
Since their creation, units of the 28 ID have continued to serve in operations in WWII, Korea, Bosnia, Kosovo, the Sinai, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
On March 8, 2018, the 28 ID’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion (HHBN) took authority of Task Force Spartan from the 35th Infantry Division, Kansas Army National Guard, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The task force is part of U.S. Army Central (Third Army). This mobilization marks the second time that the divisions have worked together under Third Army. The first time was in 1944 when both organizations fell under Lt. Gen. George S. Patton and Third Army.
For soldiers deployed to Kuwait, the opportunity to serve with a division like the 28 ID is a rare opportunity.
“I think the 28 ID is a very professional organization,” said Pfc. Amanda Diblasi, a Geospatial Engineer with the Geospatial Intelligence section of the G-2 (Intelligence section), HHBN, 28 ID. “This unit is full of great soldiers with a multitude of experiences and a wealth of knowledge.”
Diblasi enlisted when she was 17 years old, and is the youngest soldier deployed with the division. She said the decision to deploy with division is a great opportunity early in her career.
Diblasi continues the traditions of soldiers who have been part of the division since its creation over 130 years ago, and continues on its birthday as the HHBN shoulders the mission of Task Force Spartan.
As the unit’s youngest soldier, Diblasi was invited to join in the birthday tradition of cutting the cake with the division’s oldest member, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randal Stachelrodt.
Schafer encourages his soldiers, especially younger members like Diblasi, to learn the division’s history so they understand the tradition they’re carrying on and how their own service will add to the unit’s legacy.
“Lastly, I will quote Ben Franklin, the founding father of the Pa. Army National Guard in 1747,” said Schafer. “‘Energy and persistence conquer all things.’ I salute you, and thank you. Roll on, 28th, Roll on.”
| Date Taken: | 03.12.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.12.2018 07:34 |
| Story ID: | 268979 |
| Location: | HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 333 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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