Rangers receive Combat Action Badge

[SR-25]

By Sgt. Kim Laudano
75th Ranger Regiment Publc Affairs Office

FORT BENNING, Ga. (USASOC News Service, Sept. 1, 2005) — Rangers from the rank of private first class to lieutenant colonel received the Combat Action Badge during a ceremony here Aug. 29.

More than 50 Rangers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 75th Ranger Regiment, were approved to receive the CAB for actions in combat while deployed in support of Operations Enduring or Iraqi Freedom.

Col. Paul J. LaCamera, commander, 75th Ranger Regiment, presented 28 of those Rangers with their award during the first formal presentation of the CAB for the unit. He acknowledged the significant contributions these Soldiers have made and continue to make in the Global War on Terrorism.

Awardees represented a wide range of career fields in the regiment including administration, combat service support, communication and intelligence.

Lt. Col. John McLaughlin, regimental signal officer, had multiple Rangers in his section receive the award. “Twenty-two Rangers with a signal MOS received the CAB,” he said. “The regiment’s signal Soldiers have been involved in every operation the regiment has conducted and quite a few have been in firefights while conducting missions. This award recognizes their contributions on the front lines of combat.”

McLaughlin was also presented the CAB for a 2003 deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Like many of his Soldiers, he has deployed multiple times in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

The Chief of Staff of the Army approved the creation of the CAB in May 2005. The CAB recognizes Soldiers, regardless of branch or military occupational specialty, that personally engage the enemy or are engaged by the enemy in combat operations. Soldiers are eligible for the badge retroactively from Sept. 18, 2001.


http://www.soc.mil/News/releases/05AUG/050901-02.htm