In Case You Missed It:
Today, the Wyoming Army National Guard announced that the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (AFA) veterans will be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Oct. 1, for their service in the Korean War. Over a year ago, Jim Craig (MSgt USMC Ret) asked Senator Barrasso to help get a decision out of the Navy awards board regarding the 300th AFA. Senator Barrasso worked closely with Colonel Sheppard to present the evidence to the Secretary of the Navy and Commandant of the Marine Corps that supported including the 300th in the 1st Marine Division Presidential Unit Citation. Please see the following release from the Guard – including Senator Barrasso’s quote:
"In Wyoming, we never forget the service of our brave men and women who wore the uniform of the United States. For years, we have worked to ensure the 300th Cowboy Cannoneers receive full recognition for their heroic actions in support of the 1st Marine Division in Korea," said Barrasso. "After six decades, Wyoming’s 300th will finally receive their long overdue Presidential Unit Citation. I appreciate Maj. Gen. Ed Wright, Col. Tim Sheppard and Larry Barttelbort’s dedication to uncovering the facts about the 300th’s historic service. I also value the Secretary of the Navy’s sound decision. I look forward to presenting the 300th with this much deserved honor in Cheyenne very soon."
GUARD RELEASE
Sept. 21, 2010
For immediate release
Media contact:
Deidre Forster 307-772-5253; cell 307-631-4153; email deidre.forster@us.army.mil.
Master Sgt. Trudy Woodcock, 307-772-5229; email trudy.woodcock@us.army.mil.
2nd Lt. Christian Venhuizen, 307-772-5040; email christian.venhuizen@us.army.mil.
WyMD-10-87
Korean War vets receive long-awaited award
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Army National Guard’s 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion veterans will be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Oct. 1, for their service in the Korean War.
Surviving 300th AFA members will be in Cheyenne for a reunion; the award will be formally presented at that time. The citation recognizes the Soldiers "extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea" from June 6 – Sept. 25, 1951, while they were deployed in support of the 1st Marine Division.
"We have fought long and hard to have the 300th recognized with this award," said Maj. Gen. Ed Wright, Wyoming’s adjutant general. "The 300th AFA is the most decorated military unit in Wyoming history. Their artillery support for the Marines during the Korean War was nothing short of heroic. For some reason, their unit was inadvertently left off of the list to receive the Presidential Unit Citation-Navy for their actions. It is most appropriate that they will receive this very prestigious recognition at their final reunion. It is important to recognize military service that clearly goes above and beyond the call of duty, even if it is almost 60 years after the event."
The 300th AFA deployed for Korea in January 1951 with more than 600 Soldiers. The unit spent more than 800 days in combat.
Bill Day, who served as a Master Sergeant with the unit, and later went on to serve as the president of Central Wyoming College, said, "We were proud to fire our cannons for the 1st Marine Division, who were engaged in very intense ground combat. I’m very proud that our unit has now been officially recognized for this support."
Sen. John Barrasso and Chaz Ziegler, a member of the senator’s staff, as well as Col. Tim Sheppard, United State Property and Fiscal Officer; Larry Barttelbort, executive director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission; and Day, were instrumental in ensuring the unit was recognized with this award.
"In Wyoming, we never forget the service of our brave men and women who wore the uniform of the United States. For years, we have worked to ensure the 300th Cowboy Cannoneers receive full recognition for their heroic actions in support of the 1st Marine Division in Korea," said Barrasso. "After six decades, Wyoming’s 300th will finally receive their long overdue Presidential Unit Citation. I appreciate Maj. Gen. Ed Wright, Col. Tim Sheppard and Larry Barttelbort’s dedication to uncovering the facts about the 300th’s historic service. I also value the Secretary of the Navy’s sound decision. I look forward to presenting the 300th with this much deserved honor in Cheyenne very soon."
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//SIGNED//
TRUDY WOODCOCK, MSgt, WY NG
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Joint Force Headquarters – Wyoming
5500 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY 82009
307-772-5229
DSN: 388-5229
Cell: 307-421-4983
FAX: 307-772-5132
trudy.woodcock@us.army.mil