CAMP RIPLEY, Minn., - Minnesota's 1/34th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation Award here on Aug. 15 for the unit’s 22-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The unit served from the fall of 2005 to the summer of 2007.
The commendation is the second highest award a unit can receive in the U.S. Army. It is awarded only to units that display remarkable meritorious conduct in the performance of exceptional service, heroic deeds and valiant actions while supporting the war effort for a minimum of six consecutive months.
“This award means more to the Soldiers that were in Iraq serving on the ground,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Bruce L. Stowe, the unit's command sergeant major. “To them, it’s a sign of unit integrity, and pride in the work they did as a unit.”
Retired Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., who was a reviewing officer for the award, said the unit has set a new standard for itself and that he fully expects the unit to receive it again for its next deployment.
During the ceremony, a red streamer was placed on the battalion’s flag to represent the unit award. Also, the Soldiers who served in the 1/34th BSTB received a red ribbon with a gold border to wear on their Army service uniform.
Soldiers who served during the deployment to Iraq will be allowed to wear the award throughout their career. New Soldiers in the unit will be able to wear the ribbon only while serving with the 1/34th BSTB.
According to the order from the Secretary of the Army: "During its 16 months of continuous operations, the battalion operated 13 radio relay stations, conducted over 2.9 million miles of convoy operations, completed over 1,380 convoy escort team missions, and maintained and operational readiness rate of over 95 percent.
"Additionally, the unit cleared more than 220 miles of highway, and in doing so, denied the enemy sufficient cover to emplace improvised explosive devices and explosively formed projectiles.
Further, the unit improved existing tactics, techniques and procedures within the Iraqi theater of operations, decreasing the effectiveness of anti-Iraqi forces attacks."