REACTIVATION OF 3/21 INFANTRY

Gimlets:

In true Bore Brother Bore tradition the 3/21 was reactivated on Friday Afternoon 5 April 2002 at Fort Lewis, Washington as part of the 1st BDE (Light Fighters), 25th Infantry Division (Light). The reactivation program was a very honorable and professional military operation; unfortunately it was marred by a tragedy.

CPT John Lubas, Battalion S-1, and his staff did an outstanding job of putting together and presenting the reactivation ritual with full military pomp and circumstance. The new Gimlets of the 3/21 are to be commended for an outstanding job well done, and for the honorable way they treated all of the former Gimlets in attendance.

For elder Gimlets the highlight of the ceremony was the return of the Battalion Colors, hanging the Battle Campaign and Decoration Streamers. Gimlets from WW II, Korea, and Vietnam were in attendance to represent their respective Third Battalion Twenty-first Infantry units and years thereof. Each Gimlet proudly carried streamers to the parade field to be hung on the Battalion guidon by the BN CSM Forest; the guidon was held by the BN CO, LTC Hyneman, during this part of the ceremony.

Many former Gimlets showed up for this auspicious event. Some brought family members, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Former officer, NCOs and enlisted men from many campaigns were in attendance. Many former Gimlets from the Korean conflict were present, especially "Love" Company 3/21. A and B Companies 3/21, Vietnam era, were well represented at the reactivation ceremony and hanging the streamers; however, Charlie Tiger and Echo Gimlets were conspicuously absent. Delta and HHC had one Gimlet each in attendance.

SMG Kowolski (USA Retired) represented WW II, Korea, and Vietnam Gimlet veterans, and thereby presented a new black beret by LTC Hyneman. Master Sergeant Jack Oglesby S-2 1968-69 (USA Retired) represented HHC from the Vietnam era. CW2 Bill Doyle (USA Retired) appropriately carried the last streamer to the parade field. He helped stand the 3/21 down in Vietnam and was on the last bird last lift out of Da Nang in 1972.

The new Command and Staff dearly want to continue the rich history of the 3/21. They are looking for memorabilia from the past for the Regimental Room at Battalion Headquarters. The Battalion Commander, LTC Heyneman, and the Brigade Commander, COL Harry Scott, are both traditionalist who believe in keeping with the past to build a strong 3/21 of the future. Colonel Scott's philosophy is to bring back to active Army roles those units that are rich with military history, and he was a driving force in having the 3/21 reactivated as he had done with previous commands: 4/31 Polar Bears.

There was a proposal presented to LTC Heyneman at reactivation ceremonies to honor PFC Danny Shea, the 3/21 1969 Medal of Honor recipient, memory in some way. Suggestions included naming the troop medical clinic after him. Another suggestion was to name the Battalion's Regimental Room in his honor. Whatever the outcome the Commander has directed that both past and present Gimlets have a say in decisions concerning all matters of Battalion and Regimental Lineage.

LTC Hyneman is a strong believer in the Gimlet Brotherhood. He believes that a major motivation for new Gimlets is to have full knowledge of the Battalion and Regimental Lineage. That is why he wanted as many former Gimlets as possible to attend the two day reactivation event last week. Many former Gimlets were on hand to proudly pass along bits of history concerning the Battalion and Regiment from WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. The command, staff, and troops appeared to appreciate historical information passed down and were impressed with all the elder Gimlets in attendance.

I am sending e-mails out this week to all former Gimlets that I can locate via the Internet, informing them of the reactivation and how they can help the newly reactivated 3/21. If any Gimlet that receives this e-mail knows of other Gimlets please forward the e-mail. There was talk, while we were up at Fort Lewis, of the possibility of a 21st Regimental reunion in the near future at Fort Lewis. I hope this will come to fruition before LTC Hyenman's command is up in two years. Let the informal 21st Infantry Regiment Association know how you feel about this idea. Contact us at: Gimletmail321@aol.com

Keep an eye on the Gimlet websites for more news about the 3/21 Gimlets.

http://www.lewis.army.mil/321in/
http://www.gimletinn.com
http://www.gimlet321.com

Ron Mitchell
USA Retired
3/21 Website Administrator