[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 38TH INFANTRY DIVISION
Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today, I wish to recognize the 100th
anniversary of the 38th Infantry Division, ID, and honor the soldiers
of the 38th ID for their service to our Nation.
The division was first activated in August of 1917 as a National
Guard division composed of units from Indiana, Kentucky, and West
Virginia. The division was originally conducting initial training at
Camp Shelby, MS, when a tornado touched down, prompting MG Robert L.
Howze to give the 38th ID the nickname the ``Cyclone Division.'' The
Cyclone Division would later deploy to Europe during World War I and
lost 301 soldiers.
The division returned to service in January 1941 in response to the
attack on Pearl Harbor and the start of World War II. The 38th Infantry
Division took part in the New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and Luzon
campaigns where they would earn their second nickname, ``the Avengers
of Bataan,'' bestowed on them by GEN Douglas MacArthur.
The Cyclone Division also served in the Vietnam war where the Company
D Rangers, 151st Infantry of the 38th ID were among a few National
Guard units to serve and became one of the country's most highly
decorated units.
Since September 11, 2001, the 38th ID has sent soldiers to serve in a
wide range of missions, including Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia,
Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
The 38th ID also answered a different kind of call when it assumed
command of all National Guard elements deployed in Mississippi in
response to Hurricane Katrina. The 38th Infantry Division continues to
deploy soldiers worldwide in support of our national defense.
I am proud to honor 38th Infantry Division soldiers past and present
on this special anniversary. Thank you to the men and women of the
Cyclone Division for their steadfast defense of our Nation and their
service to their home States, including Indiana. I wish the 38th
Infantry Division another 100 years of setting an exemplary standard
for our total force.
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