LTG Frederick M. Franks, Jr.
On Nov. 8 we got the call to deploy from Europe and CONUS, active and Reserve component, to join our fellow soldiers already in Southwest Asia in a coalition to defeat the aggression of Saddam Hussein. We were joined in Saudi Arabia by the 1st Cavalry Division and the 1st (UK) Armoured Division. Together we formed a combined VII Corps of more than 145,000 men and women -- soldiers bonded together by a common mission.
On Feb. 24, after six weeks of a highly successful air campaign and 30 days of combat deception by the 1st Cavalry Division in the Ruqi pocket, we got the order to attack. We were ready. Our plan was to hit the enemy where he least expected and to press the attack in a short, violent air and ground fight of fire and maneuver throughout the depth of his formations.
We did just that. In 90 hours of intense armored combat and rapid armored movement, you were magnificent. It was short because you prepared so well, trained so hard and fought with so much skill and courage. Day and night and in sandstorms and rain you took the fight to the enemy and you pushed the logistics support forward. In battle after battle, your courage, heart, toughness, teamwork and skill rapidly destroyed the best the enemy had. We fought as a team, soldier to soldier, air and ground, artillery, tank and infantry, and combat support and combat service support. You covered for and looked out for each other. Your noncommissioned and officer leadership rose to the challenge and led you with skill, heart and courage. We did a soldier's duty - fought and won our nation's battles in the desert sands of Iraq and Kuwait as part of a great five-division armored corps and a coalition team.
Then, after the battle, for nine weeks you turned your skills, energies and heart to providing humanitarian assistance to Iraqi civilians fleeing the internal fighting in unoccupied Iraq. You built and administered refugee camps, provided medical treatment for almost 30,000 refugees, relocated more than 20,000 refugees to a safe haven in Saudi Arabia and left an indelible mark of American compassion. It was in itself a great victory that stands next to your great battle victories.
You have my deepest admiration and thanks as your commander and as a fellow soldier. Our nations are grateful and thank you. Our Army is grateful and thanks you. You are victorious veterans of mobile armored desert warfare. You are the best we have. You have been great soldiers as demonstrated by your actions before the battle, your heroic performance during battle and your magnificent humanitarian service after the battle. Your great versatility and sense of honor in battle and in humanitarian service are testament to who we are and what we stand for.
No matter what is written, said or shown about what happened, your courage, heart, toughness, teamwork and willingness to take the fight to the enemy without letup in bad weather, day and night, will remain forever stamped in the desert sands of Iraq and Kuwait. We will forever remember our fellow soldiers who gave the last full measure of their lives in service to our nations. It is to their memory that we dedicate this book.
I have been honored to be in your ranks and privileged to be given the responsibility to lead you into battle. You are all heroes and both our armies and our nations owe you everlasting thanks.