The Cav gets its patch

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Shawn Reger of Palmyra Pa., the Squadron commander of 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, talks with soldiers as he hands out the long awaited 28th Division combat patch. This is the first time since World War II that the whole Squadron earned this distinction.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

03.25.2009

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

BAGHDAD – The 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, reached a milestone on their deployment, March 25.

This Cavalry unit, which is part of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, was officially awarded their combat patch during a ceremony at Camp Taji, Iraq. The Cavalry arrived at Camp Taji in January and, after a month of training, they took full control of operations in their area north west of Baghdad on the 21st of February.

The combat patch is a tradition that dates back to the First World War, when soldiers would attach their own copies of them to their right shoulder. During World War II, Soldiers were officially authorized to wear this patch on their right sleeve, typically reserved for the United States flag. This was meant to distinguish those Soldiers who had combat experience from those who did not.

"It's an honor to have a keystone on both shoulders because there is a lot of history behind the patch." said Lancaster, Pa. native Staff Sgt. Clint Martin, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Sqdn., 104th Cav. Regt. "It's nice to deploy with the unit I trained with and not somebody else."

This is the first time that the Squadron received the right to wear the combat patch as a unit since World War II.

During the ceremony, one Soldier from each section was selected to stand in front of Headquarters Company and receive the patch from the Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Shawn Reger of Palmyra, Pa.

"It is an awesome feeling to share this with everyone else." Said Spc. Seth Steinmetz of Easton, Pa, who works for B Troop. "They have been putting us through all these tests and trials and I think this deployment is long overdue."

After the patch ceremony, Headquarters Troop went into a promotion ceremony where deserving soldiers were given higher rank or received recognition for a job well done.

The Soldiers that were promoted include Pfc. Thomas Bossard from Philadelphia, Pa., Pfc. Christopher Santos from Lebanon, Pa., Spc. Howard Briddelle from Fayetteville, Pa., Spc. Shamba Brown, Spc. Carson Mensinger from Berwick, Pa., Spc. Ronald Rhoads from York, Pa., Spc. Cody Venesky from Peckville, Pa., Spc. Evans Wails from Reading, Pa., Spc. Benjamin Wall from Bangor, Pa., Cpl. Randy Vanscoten from Saylorsburg, Pa., Staff Sgt. Clint Martin from Lancaster Pa., and Sgt. 1st Class Jason Gerber from Carlisle, Pa.

Sgt. Joseph Cole from Coronado, Calif., was recognized for exceptional meritorious service and performance during the train up of Soldiers for the deployment and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.

• Date Taken: 03.25.2009
• Date Posted: 04.04.2009 12:51
• Story ID: 32018
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ