4 APRIL 2003 – BATTLE OF NAJAF ENDS – OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 20TH ANNIVERSARY
As U.S. Army units penetrated the Euphrates Valley in the opening days of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF), they surrounded the key city of Najaf during the headlong dash towards Baghdad.
Located at a strategic position on the highways to Karbala and Baghdad, the 3rd ID began to encircle Najaf on 24 MAR. That night, the 11th Aviation Regiment’s AH-64 Apache helicopters staged a deep-penetration assault against the elite Iraqi Medina Division near the city.
The Apaches survived a coordinated enemy effort to eliminate the strike force and were followed shortly thereafter by the 3rd ID itself, which blazed through the Medina Division en route to Baghdad. Najaf remained isolated, as-yet uncaptured by U.S. forces.
The role of taking the city itself fell to the 101st ABD. With support from elements of the 1st AD, the 101st ABD began penetrating Najaf on 29 MAR. Irregular forces loyal to Hussein’s regime stiffly resisted in the days that followed the 101st ABD’s initial assault.
On 1 APR, a strike force of M1 Abrams tanks staged a “thunder run” into the Najaf city center, using their size and firepower to shatter enemy resistance and pave the way for further infantry action.
By 4 April, coordinated resistance in Najaf was broken, and the city was under the complete control of U.S. forces.
Congress formally declared war against the German Empire on 6 April 1917 bringing America into WWI which had been raging in Europe for almost 4 years. The United States later declared war on Austria-Hungary on 7 Dec 1917.
On 31 January 1917, Count Johann von Bernstorff, Germany's Ambassador to the United States, notified U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing of his country's intention to resume unrestricted submarine warfare the following day.
In response, Pres Wilson addressed Congress on 3 Feb to announce that he had severed diplomatic relations with Germany. Throughout Feb and Mar German submarines attacked and sank several U.S. flag vessels resulting in the loss of many American passengers and merchant seamen.
6-7 APRIL 1862 - BATTLE OF SHILOH - #CivilWar
Rebel forces launched a surprise attack against the U.S. Army of the Tennessee encamped near Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee, in the vicinity of the Shiloh Church. The battle lasted two days, and resulted in a victory for Union forces.
After U.S. forces penetrated the Confederate outer defense line by capturing Forts Henry and Donelson, President Abraham Lincoln ordered Major General Henry Halleck to coordinate the operations of the four western armies.
The Armies of the Ohio and the Tennessee advanced against Johnston's Confederate army at Corinth, Mississippi. Buell moved to Savannah, TN, on the Tennessee River, and Grant moved to Pittsburg Landing nine miles below Savannah.
M48 PATTON MAIN BATTLE TANK - END OF THE VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
Part of the Patton family of main battle tanks, the M48 saw widespread use by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, providing crucial infantry support, particularly in intense urban combat.
Originally developed in the early 1950’s as a first-generation main battle tank, the M48 was quickly modified in several variants. The model which was most common in the Vietnam War was the M48A3, developed in the late 1950’s. #TRADOC#Armor#VietnamWar#Armyhistory#USArmy
Although it was superseded by the M60 tank in the early 1960’s, the M48 performed well in Vietnam, where the scarcity of tank-on-tank combat allowed the slightly behind-the-times M48 to shine in infantry support and convoy defense roles. #VietnamWarHistory#VietnamVeterans
U.S. ALLIES IN VIETNAM - END OF VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
Although the U.S. was the main military supporter of South Vietnam, combat troops from South Korea, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand fought in the Vietnam War as well. #Armyhistory#USArmy#TRADOC
South Korea was the second-greatest contributor of forces, sending over 300,000 soldiers to Vietnam from 1965 – 1972, where they earned a reputation for combat efficiency. By the end of 1972, most foreign forces in-country were South Korean. #VietnamWar#VietnamWarHistory
Australian advisors assisted the ARVN as early as 1962, and both Australia and New Zealand began sending ground combat elements in 1965, with their troops often serving together. Australia sent 60,000 soldiers over the course of the war, while New Zealand sent 3,000.
On 5 April 1945, Allied forces pushed across the Po River Valley, and, as German resistance crumbled, made rapid advances which ended with the surrender of the German forces in Italy on 2 May 1945. #armyhistory#USArmy#TRADOC
After another slow, arduous advance over rugged terrain, in poor weather, against a determined, well-entrenched, and skillful enemy, by April 1945 the superbly led and combat-hardened Allied 15th Army Group enjoyed overwhelming numerical superiority on the ground and in the air.
On the evening of 2 May, the 15th Army Group headquarters, commanded by General Mark Clark, transmitted the cease-fire orders throughout northern Italy, and the remaining Axis forces laid down their arms within the next forty-eight hours. #POValley#MilitaryHistory@USArmy
SOLDIER PROFILE - GENERAL WILLIAM WESTMORELAND - VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
Widely remembered as the face of the U.S. war effort in Vietnam, GEN Westmoreland commanded Military Assistance Command – Vietnam (MACV) from 1964 to 1968.
Westmoreland’s career began at West Point, after which he climbed up the ranks during WWII, during which he garnered a sterling reputation. He further burnished his career by becoming the youngest MG in the U.S. Army in 1956 and superintendent of West Point in 1960.
In JAN 1964, Westmoreland was made deputy commander of MACV; in JUN he was elevated to overall command. He occupied that role for the next four years, during which he would become the primary force shaping U.S. military strategy in the region. #VietnamWar#VietnamWarHistory