KENNETH R. KASSNER
Patriot, Chapter 1919
Marine Corps, IRAQ
**Ken Kassner was wounded during the
assault to liberate the Iraqi city of Fallujah in November 2004. He
returned to full duty this past January in order to deploy again with his
battalion to Iraq.**
Fellow
Patriots:
As a brief
introduction, my name is Ken Kassner.
A native Texan and Major in the Marine Corps, I currently serve as the
Executive Officer of 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, which is
home based at Twentynine Palms, California. Earlier this year, I was
inducted into your esteemed and historic organization after a dear friend of
mine and fellow Marine—John Gilligan—presented me with a gift of membership
into the MOPH and Chapter 1919. John, who proved his mettle in combat
during the Korean War, introduced me via email to Mr. Milt Carr, our
Chapter’s Adjutant, who thoughtfully invited me to write about my
battalion’s experiences in Iraq. I enthusiastically accepted his
invitation.
The 3d
Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion first deployed to Iraq in 2003
and distinguished itself in combat during the opening phase of Operation
IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF). In August 2004, a few months after I joined the team,
the battalion—also known as the Wolfpack—returned to Iraq and conducted
several months of security and combat operations throughout the country’s
restive Al Anbar province—the most western region of the country. As an
armored reconnaissance force, the Wolfpack possesses great mobility and
superior firepower in its fleet of light armored vehicles, or LAVs. In
addition to the crews that operate the vehicles, several infantry scouts
ride aboard the LAVs and bring to the fight a dismounted capability. Given
its many versatilities, the battalion has literally journeyed, fought, and
conducted operations throughout the desert expanses of Al Anbar’s immense
province.
During our
last combat tour in OIF, my Marines and I patrolled the Iraqi borders shared
with Syria and Jordan in order to prevent foreign fighters and illicit trade
from entering the country; we conducted operations to capture terrorists and
leaders of the Iraqi insurgency in several urban enclaves; we trained Iraqi
soldiers and security forces, who will ultimately ensure the success and
stability of this country; we planned and supported civil affairs projects
to assist the local Iraqi governments in their efforts to help their
citizens and restore order in their communities; in November 2004, we
spearheaded the coalition’s attack into Fallujah in order to destroy the
terrorists’ stronghold there and return the city to its peace-wanting
people; we patrolled and cleared pockets of enemy resistance along the
Euphrates river valley that stretches and meanders through the Al Anbar
province; and in January 2005 we conducted security operations near the
provincial capital city of Ramadi in order to help facilitate the first free
national election in recent history. After more than seven months of combat
and security operations, the battalion returned to its home base in April
2005 and began a period of reconstituting its ranks of personnel, restoring
its equipment, and training for its third deployment to Iraq.
In each one
of the aforementioned operations, the Marines and sailors of this battalion
performed heroically and truly upheld the finest traditions and storied
accomplishments of the United States Marine Corps. The honorable, faithful
service of these young men and their sense of moral conviction undoubtedly
gave (and continue to give) the Iraqi people hope—an element of their lives
that has been in such short supply for many decades in this Middle Eastern
country. Indeed, regardless the branch of service, Americans can
justifiably be proud of all their military men and women, who brave daily
contact with an enemy who is solely interested in terrorizing the public and
preventing this country from pursuing democracy. A truly joint task force,
3d LAR Battalion has also included in its ranks Army soldiers and Air Force
airmen in several of its operations. Together, the men who form Task Force
Wolfpack have made and continue to make a positive and measurable effect on
the success of the war effort. This past March, my battalion and I returned
to Iraq to continue our mission in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. With
several months remaining on our current tour of duty, I’m confident that we
will add many more accomplishments to our list of successes and multiple
lop-sided victories against the enemy and his efforts to prevent freedom and
democracy from taking root in this country.
Thank you
for welcoming me to your Chapter of the MOPH, and I appreciate you letting
me share with you a brief excerpt of my battalion’s contributions to the
global war on terror. I salute you all as fellow warriors and I look
forward to meeting you and participating in our Chapter’s future
activities. For additional information about my battalion, I invite all of
you to visit the Wolfpack’s website at
www.29palms.usmc.mil/fmf/3rdlar.
If interested in contacting me or corresponding with my Marines, please
write to:
Major K. R.
Kassner, USMC
3d LAR Bn,
H&S Co
Unit 41700
FPO AP
96426-1700
Semper
fidelis,
Ken Kassner
Major, USMC
*Semper fidelis: The Marine Corps’ motto; Latin for
always faithful*
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