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2006 SESSION

068332380
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 181
Offered January 13, 2006
Commending the United States Army's First Infantry Division.
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Patrons-- Lingamfelter, Cline, Crockett-Stark, Hamilton, Hugo, Janis, Jones, S.C., Marshall, R.G., Morgan, Reid, Wardrup and Welch
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WHEREAS, Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, which precipitated the United States' involvement, along with its coalition partners, in the 1991 Persian Gulf War; and

 WHEREAS, soldiers of the United States Army's First Infantry Division, known as the Big Red One, were called to the Persian Gulf, and more than 12,000 soldiers and 7,000 pieces of equipment were deployed to the region; and

WHEREAS, at 2:00 a.m. on January 17, 1991, Operation Desert Storm began with the most extensive bombing campaign in military history directed at the City of Baghdad; and

WHEREAS, on the morning of February 24, 1991, under the command of Major General Thomas G. Rhame, the Big Red One began the ground offensive into Iraq, breaking through the enemy defensive lines, defeating the Iraqi 26th Infantry, and capturing over 2,500 prisoners; and

WHEREAS, penetrating deep into enemy territory, the First Infantry Division, on the night of February 26, 1991, defeated the Tawakalna Division Republican Guard and the 37th Brigade of the 12th Iraqi Tank Division, destroying 40 tanks and 40 armored vehicles; and

WHEREAS, the First Infantry Division then drove ahead and successfully cut off the Iraqi means of retreat from Kuwait City and secured the main highway leading north out of Kuwait; and

WHEREAS, the war ended on February 28, 1991, and the First Infantry Division stood guard as the surrender agreements were negotiated between the coalition forces and Iraq on March 3, 1991; and

WHEREAS, in 100 hours, the Big Red One had fought through 260 kilometers of enemy territory, destroyed 550 enemy tanks and 480 armored personnel carriers, and took 11,400 prisoners; and

WHEREAS, eighteen of the First Infantry Division's valiant and dedicated soldiers were killed in the 1991 Persian Gulf War; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the First Infantry Division, known as the Big Red One, be hereby commended on the occasion of the somber remembrance of the 15th anniversary of its deployment in the 1991 Persian Gulf War; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Major General Kenneth W. Hunzeker, Commanding General of the First Infantry Division, on behalf of the courageous men and women of the Big Red One as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation for their valuable and continued service to the nation.