1ST INFANTRY DIVISION PRESS RELEASES

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‘Dagger’ brigade Soldier dies on Fort Riley A 1st Infantry Division Soldier was found unconscious and later pronounced dead on Fort Riley, Kansas, in... read more

‘Dagger’ brigade Soldier dies on Fort Riley A 1st Infantry Division Soldier was found unconscious and later pronounced dead on Fort Riley, Kansas, in the early morning of Aug. 19. Pvt. John Martinez, a cavalry scout with Troop A, 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., was found unresponsive in his barracks room and was quickly transported to Irwin Army Community Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. “Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Pvt. Martinez,” said Lt. Col. James Maxwell, 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt., commander. “We know the death of a family member is deeply tragic, and we too are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our Soldiers. Pvt. Martinez will truly be missed. His contribution to the squadron and the ‘Dagger’ brigade mission were highly valued, and the tragedy of his loss will undoubtedly be felt across our formations. Our priority right now is to be there for the Soldier’s family and the unit, ensuring we are readily available to connect them to all the resources they need during this critical time.” Martinez joined the Army in July 2016 and arrived at Fort Riley in November 2016. He was 19 years old. Martinez’s home of record is Houston, Texas. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon. The incident remains under investigation by the Fort Riley Criminal Investigation Command office. For questions about the investigation, please contact U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command Public Affairs Office at (571) 305-4041.  less

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‘Devil’ brigade Soldier dies in Topeka — A 1st Infantry Division Soldier died Aug. 16 in Topeka, Kansas. Spc. Richard Cox, an indirect fire... read more

‘Devil’ brigade Soldier dies in Topeka — A 1st Infantry Division Soldier died Aug. 16 in Topeka, Kansas. Spc. Richard Cox, an indirect fire infantryman with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., died at Stormont Vail Hospital. Cox suffered a gunshot wound Aug. 13 on Fort Riley and was medically evacuated to Stormont Vail. “The Troopers of the squadron mourn the loss of Spc. Cox,” said Lt. Col. Brian Gilbert, 1st Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt., commander. “We will continue to support the family during this time of grief and will honor Spc. Cox’s memory and contributions to the unit.” Cox joined the Army in July 2013 and arrived at Fort Riley in October 2013. He was 22 years old. He deployed to Kuwait in June 2014 and South Korea in October 2016. Cox’s home of record is Black Hawk, South Dakota. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon. The incident remains under investigation by the Fort Riley Criminal Investigation Command office. For questions about the investigation, please contact U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command Public Affairs Office at (571) 305-4043.  less

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‘Big Red One’ to celebrate Victory Week 2017 — FORT RILEY, Kansas – In celebration of the 100th birthday of the “Big Red One,” the 1st... read more

‘Big Red One’ to celebrate Victory Week 2017 — FORT RILEY, Kansas – In celebration of the 100th birthday of the “Big Red One,” the 1st Infantry Division will host its annual Victory Week Aug. 16-25. The public is invited to witness events of camaraderie and remembrance throughout the week. Members of the public are encouraged to attend Victory Week unit sporting events, which will begin on Aug. 16 with basketball, flag football, combatives, tug of war, a biathlon, volleyball and the Warrior Competition. Other sporting events include softball, soccer, water polo, a 10-mile race, arm wrestling, mission essential fitness, the Danger Dash, bowling and weightlifting. Finals for those sports will be held Aug. 21, 22 and 24. The Victory Park 100th Year Monument will be unveiled in a ceremony at 3 p.m. Aug. 18. After that, the Victory Fest concert and fireworks display will take place Aug. 19 on Marshall Army Airfield. Victory Fest will begin at 11 a.m. with local bands on the second stage — including the 1st Infantry Division Band — followed by headliners Lit, The Charlie Daniels Band, The All-American Rejects and Eli Young Band on the main stage. This event is open to all. For tickets and more information, see victoryfest2017.com. While Victory Week is a time for celebration, it is also a time to honor the sacrifices made by men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving with the division. Traditionally, the names of troops who died in the previous year while serving with the division are etched into stones that are unveiled in Victory Park. This year, reflecting an updated and retroactively standardized policy, 85 new memorial stones honoring Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation while serving with or attached to the “Big Red One” during the Global War on Terrorism will be unveiled during the Victory Park Memorial Ceremony at 10 a.m. Aug. 22. The 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley will honor all veterans of the Vietnam War with a welcome-home ceremony at 3 p.m. Aug. 23. Veterans of the war are invited to attend and receive the well-earned welcome home and thank you they may not have received decades ago. Veterans wishing to participate should arrive by 2:30 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the ceremony on Marshall Army Airfield to extend their gratitude to these brave individuals. For more information, see http://www.riley.army.mil/vietnamveteranswelcome. Victory Week will conclude Aug. 25 with a division review and Victory Cup Ceremony, where the unit that earned the most points competing in qualifying sporting events throughout Victory Week is named the winner. Please note that visitors to Fort Riley who do not have Department of Defense ID cards will need to obtain a Fort Riley Access Pass or badge at the Visitor Control Center, building 885, located just outside the Henry Gate Access Control Point. As wait times for passes can increase during periods of higher traffic, Fort Riley encourages visitors to apply for a temporary pass or badge early by stopping by the Visitor Control Center, calling (785) 239-2982 or emailing usarmy.riley.imcom-central.mbx.des-vcc@mail.mil. -30- Members of the media interested in attending sporting or the following events should contact Jason Roberts at (785) 240-1796 or jason.p.roberts22.ctr@mail.mil. The deadline to RSVP is noon, Aug. 17. • Victory Park 100th Year Monument — 3 p.m. Aug. 18 • Combined Regimental Lineage Ceremony — 10 a.m. Aug. 21 • Victory Park Memorial Ceremony — 10 a.m. Aug. 22 • Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony — 3 p.m. Aug. 23 • Division Review / Victory Cup Awards Ceremony — 9:30 a.m. Aug. 25  less

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‘Devil’ brigade Soldier dies in Junction City — FORT RILEY, Kan. – A 1st Infantry Division Soldier died Aug. 8 in Junction City, Kansas.... read more

‘Devil’ brigade Soldier dies in Junction City — FORT RILEY, Kan. – A 1st Infantry Division Soldier died Aug. 8 in Junction City, Kansas. Spc. Peter Robbins, a field artillery Firefinder radar operator with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., died following an early morning incident involving the Junction City Police Department. "The 1st Bn., 5th FA Regt., team is deeply saddened by the loss of Spc. Robbins," said Lt. Col. Richard J. Ikena Jr., commander of the 1st Bn., 5th FA Regt. "Our team is prepared to fully support Spc. Robbins' family, teammates and friends through these challenging times." Robbins joined the Army in February 2013 and arrived at Fort Riley in August 2013. He was 23 years old. He deployed to Iraq in June 2014 and to South Korea in October 2016. His home of record is Albuquerque, New Mexico. His awards include the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident. Any further questions should be directed to the KBI at (785) 269-8283.  less

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‘Durable’ brigade to host change of command ceremony — FORT RILEY, Kan. – The 1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade will host a change of... read more

‘Durable’ brigade to host change of command ceremony — FORT RILEY, Kan. – The 1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade will host a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m. July 21 at the post’s Cavalry Parade Field. Col. Allen T. Cassell will relinquish command to Col. Jason McGuire after two years in command of the “Durable” brigade. Cassell is slated to become the chief of staff of the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command at Fort Hood, Texas. McGuire recently completed a School of Advanced Military Studies fellowship. He is coming to the Durable brigade from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served as an instructor from July 2015 to July 2017. -30- Media interested in attending the ceremony should contact the 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at (785) 240-1796 or via email at jason.p.roberts22.ctr@mail.mil. The deadline to RSVP is 4 p.m. July 20.  less

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‘Big Red One’ to bid deputy commanding general farewell with Victory with Honors ceremony — FORT RILEY, Kan. – The “Big Red One” will honor... read more

‘Big Red One’ to bid deputy commanding general farewell with Victory with Honors ceremony — FORT RILEY, Kan. – The “Big Red One” will honor Brig. Gen. Scott Efflandt, the 1st Infantry Division’s deputy commanding general for maneuver, with a Victory with Honors ceremony at 4:30 p.m. July 18 at the 1st Inf. Div. headquarters building. Efflandt arrived at Fort Riley in July 2016 and served as the deputy commander of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Operation Inherent Resolve during the Big Red One headquarters’ recent deployment to Iraq. Following his time at the 1st Inf. Div., Efflandt will serve as the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College deputy commandant and deputy commanding general for education of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The Victory with Honors ceremony will include remarks by Maj. Gen. Joseph M. Martin, 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley commanding general. -30- Members of the media interested in attending the Victory with Honors will need to RSVP by July 17 at 4 p.m. by calling (785) 240-1796 or emailing jason.p.roberts22.ctr@mail.com.   less