Republican lawmakers from Kansas presented federal resolutions on Capitol Hill to formally recognize the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Fort Riley, Kansas-based 1st Infantry Division, officially nicknamed The Big Red One.
U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts April 5 introduced Senate Resolution (S.Res.) 115 and U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall April 6 introduced House Resolution (H.Res.) 267 to honor the memory of those in the Division who lost their lives in battle, express gratitude and support to the soldiers, veterans and their families, commend them for their work, and recognize their honored place in U.S. history.
“I am proud to introduce this resolution to recognize the valiant efforts of these men and women in uniform over the past 100 years,” Roberts said.
S.Res. 115 and H.Res. 267 commemorate the 100th anniversary on June 8, which will mark the date when the first U.S. Army combat division in American history was organized.
The Big Red One, also known as The Fighting First, got its name for the shoulder sleeve insignia—combat patch—that the 1st Infantry Division soldiers wear on their military uniforms. On continuous active duty since 1917, combat soldiers have served in World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the Balkans peace-keeping missions, and the War on Terror, among others.
“Americans are forever indebted to the brave soldiers of the Big Red One to whom our nation owes so much,” Moran said.
The Senate and House resolutions highlight how the 1st Infantry Division earned its “prestigious reputation” by noting the historical roles the infantry has played in so many parts of the world, such as at the Battle of Cantigny, France in WWI, for instance, or in the current fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
“Since delivering the first Allied victory of World War I, the Fighting First has led the way on battlefields around the world. Kansans are proud to claim the 1st Infantry Division as their own and this anniversary is an occasion to pay tribute … to the fallen,” Moran said.
As of April, the Combat Aviation Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division is deployed to Afghanistan and is conducting combat aviation operations in support of the Afghan and international security forces battling the Taliban.
Additionally, the 1st Infantry Division’s 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team is deployed to South Korea, where it bolsters United States deterrence against North Korea, while the 2nd Armor Brigade Combat Team remains at Fort Riley, honing its combat-readiness in preparation for deployment.
“The Big Red One has led the way in combat and have been an integral part of maintaining the freedoms we enjoy today,” Marshall said.
Since its establishment, more than 13,000 soldiers in the 1st Infantry Division have sacrificed their lives in combat and 35 soldiers have received the Medal of Honor.
Both congressional resolutions have been referred to their chamber’s Armed Services Committee.