Skip to content

May 2014

Troopers Down

Edwin Price Ramsey

Edwin Ramsey passed away March 7,2013. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on June 28, 2013. Edwin Ramsey was born in Illinois, raised in Kansas, and graduated from the Oklahoma Military Academy. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Cavalry Reserve in May of 1938, he entered active service in February of 1941 with the famous 11th Cavalry Regiment, at Campo, California. In June of 1941, he volunteered for service in the Philippines with the elite 26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts). With Regular Army officers and Filipino soldiers, the regiment was considerably smaller than a normal stateside cavalry regiment. It consisted of six line troops in two squadrons, with a total of 54 officers and 784 enlisted men.

In December 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and then invaded the Philippines, the regiment was ordered north as part of the North Luzon Force to oppose the Japanese landings in Lingayan Gulf. Additional landings elsewhere forced the withdrawal of the outnumbered American and Filipino forces, whose retreat was covered by the 26th Cavalry into Bataan. Leading a 27-man Platoon, as advance guard for the 1st Regular Division of the Philippine Army, on January 1st, 1942 at the village of Morong, Bataan, Lieutenant Ramsey encountered a Japanese infantry force in the village and immediately ordered a charge. General Wainwright later awarded Ramsey the Silver Star for gallantry in action for leading what became the last Horse Cavalry charge in U.S. history.

Escaping after the surrender of Bataan, Lieutenant Ramsey formed the guerrilla forces in Central Luzon. Then came three years of agonizing guerrilla warfare, waged by courageous Americans and Filipinos on Luzon Island, fighting both the imperial Japanese Army and communist Huk guerrillas to prepare the way for the return of General Douglas MacArthur. Ramsey also sent critical intelligence information to General Douglas MacArthur in preparation for the liberation of the Philippines. After his return, General MacArthur personally awarded Ramsey the Distinguished Service Cross for his guerrilla activities.

Ed Ramsey’s exhibit at the Beverly Hills Public Library sponsored by the BH Police Dept. and the BH Rotary Club. It opened on Veterans Day 2013 and will remain for 6 months.

The amazing stories of his exploits are captured in a book, Lt. Ramsey’s War, opens in a new windowavailable here at Amazon.com.

____________________

PFC Edwin Taylor Reed

From Jacqueline Reed, daughter of Private First Class Edwin Taylor Reed:

His last duty assignment & major command was: Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th ACR. He was a Radio Operator in Xuan Loc, Vietnam from November 12, 1966 to November 22, 1967. He passed in 1984, from a collapsed lung, after complication from Hodgkin’s Disease, due to Agent Orange Exposure.

I submitted him for consideration for the Vietnam Memorial, but, since his death is attributed to Agent Orange, he will be added to the "In Memory Project." The note below is from the Memory Project.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) has reviewed your application for the In Memory program and we are proud to honor your father, Edwin Taylor Reed, in a ceremony to take place on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial "The Wall" in Washington, DC.

During the In Memory Day ceremony, your father’s name will be read aloud (if you are present, you may read his name). At the conclusion of the ceremony, a Tribute bearing Edwin Taylor Reed’s name will be placed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (again, if you are present you may place your father’s tribute at The Wall). This Tribute will be collected by the National Park Service and stored in their permanent archive. In addition, Edwin Taylor Reed will be added to the In Memory Virtual Honor Roll to serve as a lasting reminder of his service and sacrifice. Please understand that, while your father’s memory and service will be honored; his name will not be inscribed on The Wall.

If any ACR family is in the area they are certainly welcome to attend the ceremony, or contact me for any information (717-421-1036 cell or email at reed.designs@nullyahoo.com). It is very fitting for him to be honored this year, because in July it will be 30 years since his death.

____________________

Donald Lee Gaugler


Donald L. Gaugler,
husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother, passed away on Saturday April 12, 2014. Don was born and raised in Northumberland, Pa where he lived until joining the U.S. Army in 1956. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Command Sergeant Major 26 years later. He served as First Sergeant of G Troop, 2/11 ACR 1977 to 1979 in Bad Kissingen, Germany.

Don’s second career was in security. He was employed at the Broadmoor Hotel for 10 years then at the Penrose St. Francis Hospital for an additional 10 years. Don is survived by his wife Annemarie; children George, Edward and Fay Jenkins; daughter-in-law Irene; sister Faye Gross; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Don loved his family, the U.S. Army, and Colorado.

__________________________________________

Mrs. Patton Featured

Joanne Patton, wife of MG George Patton, former Regimental Commander, was featured in the Spring 2014 USAA magazine. opens in a new windowFollow this link for the magazine.

There is another link on this site for the magazine itself, with the article. Also, if you scroll down on the opening page, you’ll find a link to a video interview with Mrs. Patton. opens in a new windowThis link will take you directly to the interview.

__________________________________________

Reminder – Colorado Springs Reunion

The Colorado Reunion is shaping up to be one of our best ever. Colonel Lanier Ward, the current Regimental Commander will be our keynote speaker on Saturday night. He is a decorated combat veteran who will undoubtedly give us a great talk about OUR regiment.

One of our honored guests will be Mrs. Joanne Patton, wife of Major General George Patton, former Blackhorse Six.

It’s not too late to register for the Reunion. If you plan to attend, please sign up as soon as possible so we can ensure we can complete our planning.

And this note from the hotel: "your rooms cut-off date for guest rooms during the Blackhorse Association Reunion, Tuesday, May 13, is quickly approaching. After this date, rooms not covered by a rooming list/individual reservations/reservations card shall be released from the room block. The hotel will continue to accept reservations from your attendees after that date at the prevailing room rate, subject to availability."

We are looking to have one of our best reunions ever. Below is a link to a list of those who have registered already-please join us for a great time.


__________________________________________

Golf at the Reunion!

We have added our annual golf tournament back to the reunion plans. It will take place at the Fort Carson Golf Course on Thursday morning, the 12th of June, with tee times beginning at 0800. Cost will be $31, including greens fees, cart, range balls, and prize fee. The course has rental clubs and shoes if needed.

We have a new golf coordinator – Jay Hall (1/11 ACR in 1969-1970). Below is his message:

During our reunion planning meeting last night Charlie Watkins happened to mention that we did not have many people committed to playing golf yet. I opened my mouth and said that I would play, and the next thing I knew, I was in charge of the golf outing.

The outing will take place on Thursday morning, June 12th at 0700 hours. The first tee time is at 0800 at Fort Carson Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club. This is about 10 minutes away from the reunion hotel. For those who do not want to travel with clubs, they have clubs to rent for $10.00. Cart use is mandatory.

What I need to know, no later than May 30th, is how many we will have playing. They would like for us to have 40 players but will make arrangements for us with 30. If we have less than 30 playing the will still be able to work with us. As it is set up right now, with 40 players, we would have the course to ourselves that morning.

Next question to those who will commit to playing is food. We have a couple of different options for food at the course. 1st is a breakfast option at $5.00 per person. 2nd is a sack lunch option at $7.00 per person.

So for me, I will need to know 1) who is going to play, 2) who will need to rent clubs, 3) who is interested in either of the food options, and 4) who will have either their own vehicle or a rental that will be able help get players to the course.

I can be reached at (719)-339-0078 cell, (719)-382-7094 home. Email @ jmhall3.49@nullgmail.com Home address is 895 Rancher Drive, Fountain, CO 80817

_______________________________________

Update on Moving and Enhancing
the 11th Cavalry Memorial

The project to relocate the 11th Cavalry Memorial from Fort Knox to the site of proposed National Armor and Cavalry Museum at Fort Benning is moving forward. Our goal is to complete the move and construction of the new memorial site no later than June 2015. This gives us just over one year to complete the project.

Columbus Monument Company was chosen to design and construct the new memorial site. They have extensive experience with several other memorials located at the National Infantry Museum and Fort Benning.

Specifications for the new memorial design were submitted to Columbus Monument Company in January. In late March we received the first artist rendering of the memorial complex. Consideration is being given to a few minor adjustments. We expect the final design to be completed by May.

The entire memorial complex will be moved, including the large Vietnam Memorial, the three memorials that are dedicated to the Philippine, World War II and Iraqi Freedom campaigns, plus the nearly 1,000 granite bricks that surround the memorial. Many who purchased bricks asked that their brick be placed together with a buddy. To ensure all bricks remain together, the locations of each brick will be catalogued prior to the move. All bricks will be place at the new memorial site in the same relative position as the old site.

In May and June 2014 the entire memorial will be cleaned, carefully packed***[see important note below], then transported to Columbus, GA, where it will be stored until early 2015 when construction of the new site will begin.

The cost of the move will be shared between the 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia and the Blackhorse Association. To help offset the cost of this project, both organizations are offering granite bricks.

Anyone can purchase a memorial brick. The bricks are a lasting tribute of YOUR SERVICE to our regiment. The bricks are a special way in which we ALL can participate and show our support for our fellow Blackhorse troopers whose names are listed on the memorials. The bricks measure 8 x 4 x 2 inches and can accommodate inscription of up to three lines of 15 characters per line. Many choose to have their name, unit and years of service with the regiment inscribed on their brick. Some have chosen special inscriptions that are very touching: "WE NEVER FORGET", "BLACKHORSE FOREVER", "HONORING OUR BROTHERS" and "PROUDLY SERVED" are just a few examples. The cost of the granite bricks is $100. Bricks will be placed at the new memorial site at Fort Benning during the construction phase.

The opportunity to purchase a brick will end later this year. The bricks add a very special and personal touch to the memorial. The deadline for ordering a brick is drawing near. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this project. We urge you to support this worthwhile project by ordering a brick.

A Special Thanks. Taking the lead for the Association in the Fort Knox area is Rondo Jackson, with help from his fellow members of the Gold Vault Chapter and others. Rondo is coordinating with the Fort Knox POC, the monument company POC, the ACVVC, and others to do the careful movement of all the parts of the monument (specifically the obelisks and pavers) and then the proper cleanup and landscaping of the site so that it looks as good as new. Rondo and his team have set the weekend of the 22nd of June to do much of the work-current planning is that steam cleaning will take place on Sunday, the 22nd, and the bricks will be pulled up and brushed off and marked on Monday, the 23rd. If you are interested in helping out those two days, please contact Rondo directly at 270-242-2833. For those of you who enjoy motorcycles, especially the Memorial Day popular Thunder Run activity, you can be assured that the monument will still be there this Memorial Day, but soon thereafter will be taken away on its trip to Fort Benning.

____________________________________

Update on the Bad Hersfeld Monument

Last year, the monument to the 3rd Squadrons of both the 14th and 11th Armored Cavalry Regiments in McPheeter’s Barracks, Bad Hersfeld was defaced. The City of Bad Hersfeld, and in particular, Bürgermeister Thomas Fehling and the Sparkasse Bad Hersfeld-Rotenburg (Herr Reihard Faulstich, Director) took swift action to ensure that the monument will be restored. Both gentlemen were sent a letter of heartfelt thanks for their support and continued friendship. The letters were signed by three former general officers who served in Bad Hersfeld, General (ret) B. B. Bell (1969-1972), Major General (ret) J. B. Burns (1970-1974), and Brigadier General (ret) Stan Cherrie (1969-1970 and 1980-1984). The two were also presented with a replica of the plaque that is on the monument, with an additional note at the bottom, thanking them for their efforts (see below).

A big Blackhorse thanks also goes to Gabriele Hasper, Steve Lungstrum, Hans Duerr, and Glenn Allardyce for their help in making this happen.

___________________________________________

The Last Border Patrol Commemoration

The date of the 25th Anniversary of the Last Patrol is now official: April 24, 2015. Dave Cowan is leading the effort to plan our activities around that major event. We will publish details about this as they become available.

___________________________________________

The 11th Cavalry Band – A Great Historical Article

The link below is to a very interesting article on the 11th Cavalry’s Band, describing it shortly after the Regiment’s formation. It has a great picture of the band on parade and mounted! For those of us who had difficulty staying in step with a band while marching, think about trying to play an instrument and ride in formation at the same time.

opens in a new windowhttp://temposenzatempo.blogspot.com/2010/05/11th-us-cavalry-band.html

____________________________________________

Welcome to our New RCSM
Command Sergeant Major Carl Ashmead

Command Sergeant Major Ashmead is a native of Corral, Idaho; he enlisted in the U.S. Army in November of 1987. His assignments include: 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis Washington; HHC, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning Georgia; HHC, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 2nd Battalion 5th Infantry, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry, Fort Drum; 2nd Battalion 22nd Infantry, Fort Drum; 3rd Squadron; 71st Cavalry, Fort Drum; and Battalion Sergeant Major, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry, Fort Drum, New York. His most recent assignment was as the Command Sergeant Major, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division "IRON TEAM".

CSM Ashmead has served in the infantry as a rifleman, assistant gunner, machine-gunner, fire team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, operations sergeant major, and command sergeant major. Additionally, he has served as a pre-ranger instructor with the 75th Ranger Regiment and as the division tactical command post NCOIC for the 25th Infantry Division. He has participated in five combat deployments to include Operation JUST CAUSE, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 01-02, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 03-04, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 05-06, and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 09-10.

CSM Ashmead’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters), Good Conduct Medal (Seventh Award), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Arrow Head Device, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Fourth Numeral), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation w/ oak leaf, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantry Badge (2nd Award), Master Parachutist Badge with Bronze Star, Belgian Parachutist Badge, and Belgian Commando Badge. CSM Ashmead is an honorary member of the Order of Saint Barbara; and he is a Primicerius in the Order of Saint Maurice.

CSM Ashmead’s military and civilian education include all levels of the Noncommissioned Officers Education System, Basic Airborne School, Department of the Army Certified Armorer Course, Jumpmaster Course, Ranger Indoctrination Program, Pre-Ranger Course, U.S. Army Ranger School, Belgian Commando Course, SERE Course (Level C), Battle Staff NCO Course, and Paramedic Course. CSM Ashmead is a graduate of the United States Army’s Sergeants Major Academy Class 57. He graduated magna cum laude from Excelsior College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Liberal Studies. He is married to the former Sheri Haney of Albuquerque New Mexico, and they have four children: Victoria, Hillary, Morgan, and Paige.

CSM Ashmead will be joining us for the Colorado Springs Reunion!
__________________________________________

Newport Beach Hoedown

From Steve Spriggs. The 9th Annual Hoedown was another huge success, garnering over $5000 for the Blackhorse Association Scholarship Fund – thanks to all who made that happen. Below is one of the pictures from the Hoedown.

Some of the happy attendees at the Hoedown!

The entire gallery of photos can be found at: opens in a new windowhttp://www.al291.com/index.php?id=105

____________________________________

MWR Welcome Home Event – Fort Irwin

Patrick Murphy manned a booth at the annual MWR Welcome Home Veterans event at Fort Irwin – and encouraged 75 troopers to become members of the Association.

The Association’s Display at the MWR Welcome Home Veterans Event
____________________________________

Campaign Hat Drawing at Reunion

On June 13, 2014 at the Blackhorse Association Reunion in Colorado Springs, there will be a drawing for two 1901 Campaign Hats.

opens in a new windowClick here to download an entry formopens PDF file .

____________________________________

Point Alpha Book

The new Point Alpha book (mentioned in the April eblast) is now for sale in the Association store at opens in a new windowwww.blackhorsestore.org.

____________________________________

We want your input!

If you have an item of interest to the membership that you would like to see in future eBlasts or our bi-annual newsletter, please send items directly to opens in a new windowbanditsix@nullaol.comcreate new email. The more detail you provide the better. In particular if you have knowledge of the passing of a former member of the Regiment and want this information published, please provide details of Regimental service and/or an obituary. This is your newsletter, please contribute.

You can always find the latest news and information on the Blackhorse Association at: opens in a new windowhttps://www.blackhorse.org

If you run into Blackhorse veterans or serving members of the Regiment, let them know about the Association and point them to the website.

__________________________________________

Reminder – 2014 Blackhorse Association Reunion
Colorado Springs June 12 – 15, 2014

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Blackhorse Association will hold its annual Blackhorse Family reunion in Colorado Springs, CO, June 12 -15, 2014. The reunion is open to all past and present troopers who served with the Regiment, the Regimental Community, and all separate units that supported the Regiment.

The reunion will be held at the Hotel Elegante Conference and Event Center, 2886 South Circle Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, 80908. The Elegante is in the process of a major several million dollar renovation. Rooms have been set aside for reunion attendees at a special negotiated rate of $115 per night.

Attendees are encouraged to make plans early. For reservations, please visit opens in a new windowhttps://www.reseze.net/cassets/mkt/mcmelegante/landing_pages/MCM_Colorado_Blackhorse_Association.html or call (800) 981-4012 (reservations). You can phone their Front Desk directly at (719) 576-5900 (be sure to give them our Group ID number – 693108 – and say you are attending the Blackhorse reunion).

For additional lodging options, go to opens in a new window http://www.expedia.com/Colorado-Springs-Hotels.d602991.Travel-Guide-Hotels.

opens in a new windowCLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND A REGISTRATION FORM

Accessibility Tools
hide