1ST INFANTRY DIVISION PRESS RELEASES

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‘Big Red One’ Soldier dies on Fort Riley — A 1st Infantry Division Soldier was pronounced dead Sept. 16 as a result of a motorcycle accident on... read more

‘Big Red One’ Soldier dies on Fort Riley — A 1st Infantry Division Soldier was pronounced dead Sept. 16 as a result of a motorcycle accident on Fort Riley, Kansas. Pfc. Timothy Meuse, an infantryman with Company C, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., lost control of his motorcycle while driving on post in the late evening of Sept. 15. Meuse was taken to Irwin Army Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead early on Sept. 16. The incident is under investigation. “Pfc. Meuse was beloved by his fellow Soldiers,” said Lt. Col. Tyler Andersen, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., commander. “He was a great young Soldier, and everyone in the company is stunned by his loss.” Meuse joined the Army in February 2017 and arrived at Fort Riley in June 2017. He was 20 years old. Meuse deployed to Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve in September 2017. His home of record is Londonderry, New Hampshire. His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon. -30- The incident remains under investigation by Fort Riley law enforcement officials.  less

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‘Big Red One’ Soldier dies in Grandview Plaza — A 1st Infantry Division Soldier was found deceased in an apartment in Grandview Plaza, Kansas,... read more

‘Big Red One’ Soldier dies in Grandview Plaza — A 1st Infantry Division Soldier was found deceased in an apartment in Grandview Plaza, Kansas, July 25. Pfc. Spencer Rose was an aircraft structural repairer with 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Inf. Div. The incident remains under investigation. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pfc. Spencer Rose,” said Lt. Col. Glenn McQuown, 1st ARB, 1st Avn. Regt., 1st CAB, commander. “Our thoughts, prayers and support go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.” Rose joined the Army in July 2017 and arrived at Fort Riley in March 2018. He was 19 years old. He had not deployed. His home of record is Connersville, Indiana. His awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon and the National Defense Service Ribbon. -30- Media queries regarding this incident should be directed to the Grandview Plaza Police Department at (785) 762-4271.  less

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‘Big Red One’ to host Victory with Honors ceremony to bid farewell to deputy commanding general, welcome new deputy commanding officer — FORT... read more

‘Big Red One’ to host Victory with Honors ceremony to bid farewell to deputy commanding general, welcome new deputy commanding officer — FORT RILEY, Kan. – To honor its outgoing deputy commanding general and welcome its newest deputy commanding officer, the “Big Red One” will host a Victory with Honors ceremony at 4 p.m. July 25 at the 1st Infantry Division headquarters building on Fort Riley. Brig. Gen. Richard R. Coffman has served as the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley deputy commanding general for maneuver since September 2017. During his time with the division, Coffman served as mission commander of U.S. Army Europe’s division-level headquarters in support of the Atlantic Resolve mission. While deployed, Coffman and the 1st Inf. Div. demonstrated the Big Red One’s readiness by moving the entire tactical command post hundreds of miles from Poznań, Poland, to Orzysz, Poland, where they conducted command and control operations during the Saber Strike 18 exercise, Europe's largest joint, multinational exercise. Coffman will next serve as director of the Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross Functional Team in Warren, Michigan. The division’s incoming deputy commanding officer for maneuver is Col. Patrick R. Michaelis. Michaelis most recently served as executive officer to the under secretary of the U.S. Army and was previously the operations officer for the 1st Inf. Div. at Fort Riley. -30- Members of the media interested in attending the Victory with Honors will need to RSVP by noon, July 24 by calling (785) 240-1796 or emailing usarmy.riley.1-id.mbx.1id-pao@mail.mil.  less

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‘Big Red One’ to host Change of Command ceremony for outgoing, incoming commanding generals — FORT RILEY, Kan. – The “Big Red One” will bid... read more

‘Big Red One’ to host Change of Command ceremony for outgoing, incoming commanding generals — FORT RILEY, Kan. – The “Big Red One” will bid farewell to its senior leader and welcome the newest commanding general to the 1st Infantry Division in a Change of Command ceremony at 10 a.m. June 8 on Fort Riley’s Cavalry Parade Field. Maj. Gen. Joseph M. Martin assumed command of the 1st Inf. Div. in October 2016 and shortly thereafter deployed with the Big Red One headquarters to Iraq, where the division took command of the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve in November 2016. While deployed, the division headquarters provided command and control of Coalition troops training, advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces. During that time, 1.8 million people were liberated in Mosul, Iraq, which had been under ISIS control since June 2014. While the headquarters was deployed, more than 350,000 children returned to school in Mosul, 320 schools reopened and 195,000 internally displaced persons returned to their homes in Iraq’s second-largest city. Under the 1st Inf. Div.’s leadership, 30,000 Iraqi Security Forces Soldiers were trained. The division’s next commanding general will be Maj. Gen. John S. Kolasheski. Kolasheski most recently served as deputy chief of staff, G-3/5/7, for the U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He previously served with the 1st Inf. Div. as the division’s deputy commanding general for maneuver from June 2015 to May 2016, and in various positions with the division from July 2001 to May 2005. -30- Members of the media interested in attending the Change of Command ceremony will need to RSVP by noon June 7 by calling (785) 240-1796 or emailing usarmy.riley.1-id.mbx.1id-pao@mail.mil.  less

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Civilian dies on Fort Riley — A civilian died Sunday on Fort Riley. Santos Hernandez was taken to Irwin Army Community Hospital and was declared... read more

Civilian dies on Fort Riley — A civilian died Sunday on Fort Riley. Santos Hernandez was taken to Irwin Army Community Hospital and was declared deceased at 4:15 p.m. June 3 by an IACH doctor. Special agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command are investigating Hernandez’s death, and no foul play is suspected at this time. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Hernandez," said Lt. Col. Joey Sullinger, 1st Infantry Division public affairs officer. "The 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley community will be there for his family throughout this difficult time." Hernandez is the father in law of a 1st Inf. Div. Soldier. -30- In order to protect the integrity of the investigative process, no further information will be released at this time.   less

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‘Big Red One’ to bid farewell to deputy commanding general, welcome new deputy commanding officer at Victory with Honors ceremony — FORT RILEY,... read more

‘Big Red One’ to bid farewell to deputy commanding general, welcome new deputy commanding officer at Victory with Honors ceremony — FORT RILEY, Kan. – The “Big Red One” will say goodbye to one leader and welcome another with a Victory with Honors ceremony at 4 p.m. May 21 at the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters on Fort Riley. Brig. Gen. Stephen G. Smith has served as the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley deputy commanding general for support since October 2017. Smith previously served in the Big Red One as the commander of Battery B, 25th Field Artillery (Target Acquisition), 1st Inf. Div. Artillery from October 1997 to April 1999. His decorations and badges include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Smith will next serve as commandant of the U.S. Army Field Artillery School, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence; and director, Future Long Range Precision Fires Cross Functional Team, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Taking over for Smith following the ceremony will be Col. Todd R. Wasmund. Wasmund comes to the division from the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, where he served as the chief of staff. -30- Members of the media interested in attending the Victory with Honors will need to RSVP by 4 p.m. May 18 by calling (785) 240-1796 or emailing usarmy.riley.1-id.mbx.1id-pao@mail.mil.  less