FIRST TEAM DEPARTS FOR EUROPE AND RECOGNIZES VIETNAM VETERAN FOR VALOR

FORT CAVAZOS – The 1st Cavalry Division will formally case the unit colors at a ceremony on Cooper Field at 9 a.m. on April 25th, 2024, in preparation for its rotation to command rotational forces in Europe.

Deploying units of the division headquarters along with their leaders and guidons will take the field for a final send-off in front of friends, family and military leaders from across Fort Cavazos. The brief and traditional ceremony will see the unit case its unit colors and streamers until a ceremony in Poland.

The “FIRST TEAM” will replace the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. This is the second time the Troopers of the division were sent to Europe to assist in supporting NATO allies and deterring adversaries in the region.

Additionally, the 1st Cavalry Division will recognize former AH-1G Cobra pilot Capt. (Ret.) Clarence “Terry” Clark by presenting him with the Distinguished Flying Cross earned during service in Vietnam. The award arrived through mail and was never officially presented to Clark after his service during the Vietnam War. In keeping with the First Team’s dedication to honoring the rich heritage and legacy of those wearing the “Big Yellow Patch,” Major General Kevin D. Admiral will formally present the award to Capt. (Ret.) Clark.

This will be the second award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Clark for his combat heroism. He received this award for actions during a harrowing medical evacuation mission. According to the award citation Clark “was deployed to provide support for a medical evacuation aircraft in support of ground forces in heavy contact with a large enemy force…. Captain Clark risked his own life to place himself and his section in the direct line of enemy fire and remained there so as to provide a means of evacuation for the survivors of the crash. By remaining as a decoy, while directing a second evacuation aircraft into the area while shielding it with his artillery section, and placing devastatingly accurate fire upon the enemy, he allowed the survivors of the downed aircraft to be rescued. Twice more during the day, captain Clark braved the intense enemy fires to place himself between the enemy and the medical evacuation teams, making numerous rocket assaults which inflicted many casualties on the enemy and accounted for the saving of several American lives.”

Media is invited to attend casing ceremonies at Fort Cavazos in the future and may contact the public affairs office for interview opportunities. If planning to attend, please RSVP no later than April 24th. Media will meet for escort at 8 a.m. at the Fort Cavazos Visitor Center media staging area.

For more information, contact the 1st Cavalry Division public affairs media relations officer, Capt. Christopher Buys at christopher.j.buys.mil@army.mil or 254-383-2355.