News Releases for April 2008
April 18, 2008
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Hoeven Signs Proclamation Acknowledging The 100th Anniversary Of The United States Army Reserve
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today signed a proclamation acknowledging the 100th Anniversary of the United States Army Reserve at a ceremony in Memorial Hall at the State Capitol Building.
The Governor was joined by Robert O. Black and Dr. Curt Juhala, Army Reserve Ambassadors for the state of North Dakota; and retired Army Reserve Ambassador John Jacobsen. Army Reserve soldiers from the Bismarck/Mandan-based 439th Engineer Battalion and reservists from across the state also participated in the ceremony. A nationwide celebration will be held in Washington, DC later this month.
“For 100 years now, men and women from all walks of life have stood ready at a moment’s notice to put their lives on hold to defend our nation and our way of life,” Hoeven said. “Our reservists today are on the front lines in defense of our country around the world, and we take this opportunity to thank them and celebrate and honor their service to our nation.”
On April 23, 1908, Congress created the Medical Reserve Corp, comprised of 360 doctors as a “reserve group” of medical officers who could be called to active duty in a national emergency. Army Reserve soldiers have served in every major conflict since that time. Army Reserve soldiers are a part of the federal reserve force and report to the President of the United States through the Secretary of Defense.
Today, more than 20,000 Army Reserve soldiers are forward-deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and 18 other countries. An additional 7,000 Army Reserve soldiers are mobilized and serving in the United States. North Dakota Army Reserve soldiers have completed one or more tours in Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
North Dakota Army Reserve Units
Bismarck
- 439th Engineer Battalion (Headquarters)
- Deployed to Baghdad 2003 (1st ND Reserve unit to deploy)
- Mission – serve as headquarters for engineer companies & detachments
- Conducted combat operations with 3rd Infantry Division
- Participated in civil reconstruction and lead on Baghdad base camp
- Of the 39 Soldiers mobilized; earned 2 Purple Hearts, 12 Bronze Stars, 39 Combat Action Badges, 27Army Commendation Medals.
- Unit earned Presidential Unit Citation
- They are in charge of these subordinate units:
- 323rd Chemical Company – Sioux Falls, S.D.
- 323rd Chemical Company – Sioux City, Iowa
- 308th Engineer Detachment (Real Estate)
- Deployed to Baghdad 2003
- Mission – established real estate data base in Iraq
- 916th Engineer Detachment (Well Drilling)
- Deployed to Djibouti 2003
- Mission – helped establish US Marine Corps training facility water wells
- 945th Engineer Detachment (Asphalt) - Ubezbeastan 2003 as (Utilities) – Enhanced K-2 Infrastructure for US Forces moving to Afghanistan
- 461st Engineer Detachment (construction) (DET 3)
- 87th Legal Support Detachment
- Individual mobilization 2008
Fargo
- 461st Engineer Detachment (Detachment 1) (Part of Bismarck Unit)
- 7247th Medical Support
- Mobilized as individuals (various dates) medical specialty skills
- Mission – Evaluate Mobilizing Soldiers
Grand Forks
- 461st Engineer Detachment (Detachment 2) (Part of Bismarck Unit)
Minot
- 4226th Army Hospital
- Mobilized as individuals - Doctors, nurses & other medical specialists
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