Ranger Regiment receives Valorous Unit Award
By Kim Laudano
75th Ranger Regiment Public Affairs Office
FORT BENNING, NC (USASOC News Service, Nov. 22, 2005) — The 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment received the Valorous Unit Award during a ceremony here Nov. 22 for actions while engaged in an intense battle during the opening days of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
According to the award citation, Rangers from 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt., as part of a joint task force, displayed extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy from March 30 through April 9, 2003, during a mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rangers displayed exceptional gallantry while performing their mission to seize the enemy-occupied Hadithah Dam in Iraq to obtain a communication line across the Euphrates River and to prevent the enemy from destroying the dam.
The element fought admirably in a series of direct and indirect enemy engagements against squad and platoon sized elements, 155 millimeter artillery and heavy mortar fires to clear the dam and destroy enemy forces in the vicinity. Their brave performance and determination resulted in mission success.
This operation had all of the makings of a typical Ranger operation explained Lt. Col. John G. Castles, commander, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt. “It was very dangerous, against a numerically superior enemy, deep into the heart of the country behind enemy lines, with expectations of heavy enemy resistance and the dam itself thought to be rigged to blow.
The Hadithah Dam was, and still is, a vital line of communication from Western Iraq leading into Baghdad,â€
3/75 Rangers recieve Valurous Unit Award
3/75 Rangers recieve Valurous Unit Award
US Army 1968 to 1991 Retired SFC/E-7
A Co 75th Ranger Ft Hood, Texas '72- '74
A Co 75th Ranger Ft Hood, Texas '72- '74