4th Battalion
23rd Infantry Regiment
"Tomahawks"

172nd Infantry
Stryker Brigade Combat Team

*News Report

After over a decade of deactivation,
The 4th / 23rd "Tomahawks" are proudly back in service!

Welcome to
The U.S. Army's
newly formed
"Stryker" Brigade Combat Team

"Tomahawks" Stand Up in Style!!
This Custom Silver Service has been purchased for the New SBCT 4th/23rd "Tomahawks"
by the 4th/23rd "Tomahawks" Veterans Association.

I
 
The Punch Bowl, is emblazoned with the 4th / 23rd's Unit Crest, the "We Serve" motto
and the following inscription: 

Presented to

 The 4th Battalion 23rd Infantry Regiment “Tomahawks”

This 19th day of March 2004

By the

Veterans and Families of

The 4th Battalion (Mechanized) 23rd Infantry Regiment

“Tomahawks” Association

Each of the 44 cups, has been personalized, with names of the Association Veterans, who chipped in and helped purchase the set.
As a special tribute, several are engraved with the names of "Tomahawk" heroes that paid the ultimate price in combat, while serving in the Vietnam War..

The Association is honored and proud to be able to present such a fine gift
and hope that it will be cherished as a keepsake by the unit for many years to come.

The word from a former "Tomahawk" First Sergeant in 1990,
is that the 4th Battalion was, "bar-none", THE Battalion of the 23rd Infantry Regiment.

Welcome Home!

Please, accept this gift. with our heartfelt, best wishes, to all of our present and future,
4th Battalion / 23rd Infantry Regiment "Tomahawks".

We Know you will make us PROUD!

WE SERVE! UNLEASH HELL!

Special thanks to: "Rader's Engraving" of Boston Mass. for the beautiful art work and engraving. http://www.engraving.cc/

Former Commander's Best wishes to the 4th/23rd "Tomahawks" (SBCT)

Dear Colonel Norris,

As a former commander of the 4th Battalion (Mechanized), 23rd Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division,
Viet Nam, 1968, I want to congratulate you on your selection as the commander of the soon-to-be reactivated 4/23 and wish you and the battalion all the success in the world.

My advice: Train hard.
My prayer: May you and the 4/23 never go in harm's way.
My wish: If you do, remember the brave soldiers who went before you.

Cliff Neilson
Colonel, US Army (Retired)
Mohawk 6
May-Nov 1968

The Army's new vehicle was named in honor of two Medal of Honor recipients: PFC Stuart S. Stryker, who served in World War II, and SPC Robert F. Stryker, who served in Vietnam. The Stryker will be a primary weapons platform for the IBCT's. It will assist the IBCT in covering the near-term capabilities gap between our Legacy Force heavy and light units. The Stryker-equipped IBCT will provide the joint and multinational force commander increased operational and tactical flexibility to execute the fast-paced, distributed, non-contiguous operations envisioned across the full spectrum of conflict.

Stuart S. Stryker

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 513th Parachute Infantry, 17th Airborne Division.
Place and date: Near Wesel, Germany, 24 March 1945.
Entered service at: Portland, Oregon. Birth. Portland, Oregon.
General Order: #117, 11 December 1945.
Citation: He was a platoon runner, when the unit assembled near Wesel, Germany after a descent east of the Rhine. Attacking along a railroad, Company E reached a point about 250 yards from a large building used as an enemy headquarters and manned by a powerful force of Germans with rifles, machineguns, and 4 field pieces. One platoon made a frontal assault but was pinned down by intense fire from the house after advancing only 50 yards. So badly stricken that it could not return the raking fire, the platoon was at the mercy of German machine gunners when Pfc. Stryker voluntarily left a place of comparative safety, and, armed with a carbine, ran to the head of the unit. In full view of the enemy and under constant fire, he exhorted the men to get to their feet and follow him. Inspired by his fearlessness, they rushed after him in a desperate charge through an increased hail of bullets. Twenty-five yards from the objective the heroic soldier was killed by the enemy fusillades. His gallant and wholly voluntary action in the face of overwhelming firepower, however, so encouraged his comrades and diverted the enemy's attention that other elements of the company were able to surround the house, capturing more than 200 hostile soldiers and much equipment, besides freeing 3 members of an American bomber crew held prisoner there. The intrepidity and unhesitating self-sacrifice of Pfc. Stryker were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

Robert F. Stryker

Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, 7 November 1967. Entered service at: Throop, N.Y. Born: 9 November 1944, Auburn, N.Y.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Stryker, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving with Company C. Sp4c. Stryker was serving as a grenadier in a multi-company reconnaissance in force near Loc Ninh. As his unit moved through the dense underbrush, it was suddenly met with a hail of rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire from enemy forces concealed in fortified bunkers and in the surrounding trees. Reacting quickly, Sp4c. Stryker fired into the enemy positions with his grenade launcher. During the devastating exchange of fire, Sp4c. Stryker detected enemy elements attempting to encircle his company and isolate it from the main body of the friendly force. Undaunted by the enemy machinegun and small-arms fire, Sp4c. Stryker repeatedly fired grenades into the trees, killing enemy snipers and enabling his comrades to sever the attempted encirclement. As the battle continued, Sp4c. Stryker observed several wounded members of his squad in the killing zone of an enemy claymore mine. With complete disregard for his safety, he threw himself upon the mine as it was detonated. He was mortally wounded as his body absorbed the blast and shielded his comrades from the explosion. His unselfish actions were responsible for saving the lives of at least 6 of his fellow soldiers. Sp4c. Stryker's great personal bravery was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Special Thanks goes to the U.S. Army for providing this historic information.
Alpha23

Per: Command Sergeant Major Dennis Zavodsky
Transmitted 12 Nov 03
To: The Tomahawks Association:

Tentatively, the unit will officially reactivate in special ceremony at
Ft. Richardson, Alaska 19 Mar 2004

He also sends his personal invitation to all Tomahawk veterans to attend the ceremony.

Thank you Sergeant Major!!
We are as proud of you and all the new "Tomahawks" as if we were still wearing the uniform.
I know we will not be disappointed in your duty and service to the United States Army.
Unleash Hell!!

We Sevrve

alpha23

More news as it unfolds.

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SBCT "Tomahawk" LINKS

Stryker Brigade Combat Team website: http://www.army.mil/features/strykeroe/

SBCT News: http://www.strykernews.com/archives/2004/01/27/shifting_duties_constant_dangers.html

1st/23rd "Tomahawks" website: http://www.lewis.army.mil/123in/

4th/23 "Tomahawks" website: http://www.usarak.army.mil/4-23/