Blackhorse E-News – August 2010

We are saddened at the loss of David Eugene Miller who died July 10, 2010 at the VA Hospital in Leavenworth, KS due to cancer.

David was a SPC in 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam from ’67 to ’69. David Miller was awarded two Bronze Star Medals and the Purple Heart for combat wounds.

The family invites all former Blackhorse soldiers, friends and veterans of all services to the burial service at Leavenworth National Cemetary on July 26, 2010 at 0945 hours.

All Blackhorse Family members please contact anyone you know in the Leavenworth or Kansas City area to join the family for a last salute to our brother David Eugene Miller.

Family contact info: Heather Leopard at email: opens in a new windowheatherlynnl@nullatt.netcreate new email and tele: 816-333-0609.

FORT IRWIN, Calif. – The 63rd Colonel of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Col. Paul Laughlin, handed over his command to the incoming commander, Col. Antonio Aguto, during a change of command ceremony at Fort Irwin, Calif., June 30.

The ceremony also saw the commands of all three squadrons change hands. Laughlin assumed command in June, 2008, and has served as the 63rd Colonel of the Regiment for two years. From here, Laughlin will serve as the Military Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Afghanistan.

COL Tony Aguto was commissioned an Armor Officer from the United States Military Academy in 1988. As a Lieutenant and junior Captain he served as a Tank Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Support Platoon Leader in the 4th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division United States Army Europe during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

From 1993- 1995 COL Aguto served as Battalion S3 Air, Commander, Armor Company, 2nd Battalion, 64th Armor, 3rd Infantry Division and Headquarters, Headquarters Company Commander 1st Battalion, 77th Armor, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army Europe during operations in Bosnia, Herzegovina; and Aide de Camp to Commander, 1st Infantry Division.

From 1997-1998 COL Aguto served as Operations Officer, J33 Readiness Division, Joint Staff and DAG3 Army Operations Center, Readiness Division.

From 2000-2004 COL Aguto served as Squadron Operations and Executive Officer, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and as Regimental Executive Officer while deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 2003 to February 2004. In 2004 and 2005 he served as Deputy Division G3, 7th Infantry Division, Ft Carson Colorado.

From November 2005 to June 2006 COL Aguto commanded 2-14 Cavalry Squadron, 1st Brigade (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), 25th Infantry, Fort Lewis, Washington. COL Aguto became the Commander of 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment after 1st Brigade reflagged to the 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment on June 1, 2006 in Vilseck, Germany. He commanded the Squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09 in Baghdad and Diyala, Iraq from August 2007 – November 2008.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Course, Field Artillery Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College and the Naval War College.

COL Aguto’s decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Meritorious Service Medal (3Oak Leaf Clusters), the Joint Staff Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Joint Staff Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (5 Oak Leaf Clusters), the National Defense Service Medal (2 Awards), NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Army and Joint Staff Badges.

COL Aguto is married to the former Melanie Nunn of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.