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Oct 19, 2021 15 tweets 12 min read Read on X
In #ThisDayInHistory, the American victory at the #BattleofYorktown would be the last major land battle of the #AmericanRevolutionaryWar.

Check out the thread to learn more about this historic battle!

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
In 1781, the British occupied Yorktown, where General Charles Cornwallis intended to resupply his 9,000-man army.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
On September 5, The Royal Navy, attempting to sail up the Bay to Gen. Cornwallis, is met by French warships at the mouth of the Chesapeake. In this Battle of the Capes, the British fleet is soundly defeated trapping British troops without supplies and much-needed reinforcements.
Gen. George Washington and Lt. Gen. Comte de Rochambeau seize the opportunity and move their force of almost 8,000 men south to Virginia, planning to join and lead about 12,000 other militia, French and Continental troops in a siege of Yorktown.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
The Allied armies marched hundreds of miles from their headquarters north of New York City to Yorktown, making theirs the largest troop movement of the American Revolution.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
After a grueling march, the Allied forces arrive near Yorktown on September 28 and immediately begin the hard work of laying siege to Cornwallis and his men.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
With the help of French engineers, American and French troops begin to dig a series of parallel trenches, which bring troops and artillery close enough to inflict damage on the British.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
By October 9, Allied lines are within musket range of the British. For nearly a week the artillery barrage is ceaseless, shattering whatever nerve the British have remaining and punching holes in British defenses.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
Forces Engaged 28,900; 19,900 were American and 9,000 were British.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
On the night of October 14, American and French forces prepare a surprise assault on British redoubts #9 and #10.

The password for the operation is “Rochambeau,” which the Americans translate as “Rush on boys!”

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
The assault begins with a diversionary attack on a redoubt further north of #Yorktown.

Then, Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton’s force, consisting of a detachment of 400 of his light infantry, attacks redoubt #10 with bayonets fixed and muskets unloaded.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
The French simultaneously assault redoubt #9 and, after an equally fierce firefight, wrest control from the British.

Cornwallis’ position is untenable as the Franco-American alliance has artillery on three of his sides.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
Surrounded, outgunned, and running low on food, Cornwallis surrendered his entire army on October 19.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
Estimated Casualties 8,978; 389 were American and 8,589 were British

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage
The #SiegeofYorktown proved to be the decisive engagement of the American Revolution.

The British surrender forecast the end of British rule in the colonies and the birth of a new nation—the #UnitedStatesofAmerica.

#ArmyHistory | #ArmyHeritage

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More from @USArmy

Jun 10
We're rolling deep with Army vehicles and aircraft for our 250th Birthday Parade!

Here's a sneak peek at what we're bringing for this once-in-a-lifetime event! 🧵

#Army250 Parade vehicles coming in by train.
We've used the M1A2 Abrams tank since 1980; it was known for shooting accurately while on the move. It's first combat operation was Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Soldiers found it reliable, lethal, and tough, despite its limited range. M1A2 Abrams tank
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Jun 6
Armed with a pistol and a cane, Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. landed with the first wave at Utah Beach on D-Day.

This is the epic story of the first General to land on D-Day, who was also the son of a U.S. President. 🧵 Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. Portrait
Roosevelt was the son of the legendary Rough Rider.

He volunteered to fight in WWI, earning a Distinguished Service Cross and the French Chevalier Légion d’Honneur.

Roosevelt was shot in the leg and was later forced to use a cane, but that didn’t stop him from joining the fight.Theodore Roosevelt Jr during WWI on the left.
@CMOH_Society When WWII broke out, once again Roosevelt volunteered.
He led troops in North Africa and Sicily before being reassigned to help plan the D-Day invasion.
But he wanted to do more than plan, he wanted to be with his troops. Lt. Gen. Patton on the left with Brig. Gen. Roosevelt on the right
Read 8 tweets
May 24
The Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stand guard day and night, rain or shine, at @ArlingtonNatl. Here are five facts about this elite position within the @USArmyOldGuard, a role few can claim. 🧵

#MemorialDay

📸 Elizabeth Fraser, Arlington National Cemetery Close up of a Tomb of the Unkown Soldier Sentinel at Arlington National Cemetery.
@ArlingtonNatl @USArmyOldGuard Elite Status: Tomb Guards are among the most elite soldiers in the U.S. Army. They must pass a rigorous selection process, undergo intensive training, and demonstrate exceptional attention to detail.

📸 Elizabeth Fraser, Arlington National Cemetery Tomb guards from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conduct the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Sept. 11, 2024.
@ArlingtonNatl @USArmyOldGuard Becoming a Sentinel: After members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) become ceremonially qualified, they may volunteer to serve as Sentinels. If selected, they are assigned to Company E.

📸 Elizabeth Fraser, Arlington National Cemetery A tomb guard walks the mat at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while snow falls, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Jan. 6, 2025.
Read 7 tweets
May 19
Somalia, 1993: Two Delta Force snipers volunteered to rescue a Black Hawk crew surrounded by militants. They knew the odds, but went in anyway.

This is the true story of Medal of Honor recipients Master Sgt. Gary Gordon (L) and Sfc. Randy Shughart (R). 🧵 Master Sgt. Gary Gordon
Sfc. Randy Shughart
@MohMuseum @CMOH_Society Two @USASOCNews Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in hostile territory during a raid to capture a Somali warlord’s top lieutenants.

One crash site had four survivors, but no ground support was coming.

Gordon and Shughart were determined to help. A map of the crash sites.
The snipers requested permission to go in and support the second crash site. With hordes of militants surrounding the area, Command said ‘no,’ twice, it was too dangerous.

Unfazed, Gordon and Shughart asked again to enter. This time, Command approved.

Gordon and Shughart knew they’d be outnumbered, but that didn't stop them.
Read 6 tweets
Feb 13
The M10 Booker is NOT a tank, but it's still lethal. 💥

The armored infantry support vehicle, is currently being tested at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground.

🔗 army.mil/article/283010The M10’s main weapon is a M35 105mm low-recoil tank gun, significantly larger than the 25mm chain gun on the Bradley, and also boasts a 12.7mm M2 heavy machine gun and 7.62 mm Coax machine gun. The platform’s diesel engine puts out 800 horsepower and can power it up to 40 miles per hour. (U.S. Army photo by Mark Schauer)
Here's some info on the two Soldiers the Booker was named after....

The vehicle platform honors two enlisted Army Soldiers who served our nation selflessly during times of great conflict – Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Robert D. Booker, who perished in World War II, and Distinguished Service Cross recipient Staff Sgt. Stevon A. Booker, who died from injuries sustained in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Read: Army names its newest combat vehicle after WWII and Operation Iraqi Freedom Soldiers | Article | The United States Army
Image
Read 6 tweets
Jan 17
The Story of​ Operation Desert Storm​
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Read 15 tweets

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