Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment “Blue Spaders,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division unfurl their unit colors during an activation ceremony at Freedom Fighters Physical Fitness Center. The Blue Spaders lineage dates to 1901 when the United States Congress authorized five additional infantry regiments to include the 26th Infantry Regiment.
Photo by Sgt. David L. Cox | 2nd BCT.
Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment “Blue Spaders,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division unfurl their unit colors during an activation ceremony at Freedom Fighters Physical Fitness Center. The Blue Spaders lineage dates to 1901 when the United States Congress authorized five additional infantry regiments to include the 26th Infantry Regiment.
Posted: Thursday,
The addition of a third infantry battalion brings 2nd BCT on par with its sister brigades within the 101st Airborne Division, which already have added an additional maneuver unit in accordance with the Department of the Army’s restructuring initiative, BCT 2020.
During his speech at the activation ceremony, Col. Peter N. Benchoff, the commander of 2nd BCT, told an anecdotal story about the activation of the 101st Airborne Division in 1942.
“On the activation of the 101st in 1942, Maj. Gen. Lee published General Order No. 5, that stated that the ‘101st has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny,’” Benchoff said. “Unlike the 101st at its activation the [Blue Spaders] have a distinguished and accomplish history and I am extremely honored to know that on any future battlefield, [1-26th] won’t fight on our flank but fighting as a member of this brigade to accomplish our next rendezvous with destiny.”
“This opportunity to build a new unit in 101st is unpreceded,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Wylie, the commander of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. “It’s important to [Leaders and Soldiers of 1-26th] to embrace the legacy of 1-26th Infantry Regiment, and the 101st Airborne Division. Becoming Air Assault qualified [as a unit] is a critical part of our integration into this team.”
Among those in attendance were members of 26th Infantry Regiment Association who have served in the historic unit.
“It’s great to have [Blue Spaders] here in the Strike Brigade,” said Randal Dragon, a retired brigadier general and the honorary commander of the 26th Infantry Regiment. “It’s important to stay in touch with these Soldiers so they understand how much history, sweat and blood has gone into the unit before them.”
The Blue Spaders linage dates back to 1901, when Congress authorized five additional infantry regiments to support the nation’s responsibilities overseas. Since then the Blue Spaders have been engaged in every major conflict from World War I to the Global War on Terrorism.
I have a quick question rergading the time to get claims (e.g.,Declaration of Status of Dependents- VA Form 21-686c) that are quick fixes could take as long as a year to input? I remember filling out information rergading my wife and son back in 2003, and it has somehow disappeared. I’ve been told that the VA only needs it if you receive over 30% disability. Wouldn’t it be safe to say that in the future, as we get older, that Our status will change and we will need to have our information readily available? I read VA information, and I have friends working the compensation branch. You have hired many personnel to deal with the present workload of veterans getting out after ten years at war. Projecting that you may double or even triple that number after 2014, and having the waiting period get worse instead of shorter (per Shinseki’s lies to Congress), then, what is the solution? Hire more after the fact again? Blow off veterans awaiting benefits for two to three years or longer due to another shortfall in personnel? I would get with the Department of Defense, screen administrative personnel being released from active duty, and train them within 90 days of discharge for immediate hiring for a period not to exceed 4 years. This gets a jump on getting vets on the rolls to support fellow veterans in the process (like an insurgence of customer assistance-OMG! Planning for the future what a concept!!! Must be a new idea that no one has ever thought of even a GENERAL OFFICER!!!!), thus, improving the services and taking action before the poop hits the fan and the staff of the OVER PAID VA gets it in the face instead of eggs Look at the backlog like going to war. 1. Gather all the information you can about the foe (the system). 2. Make a plan of action to conquer that foe (a well trained workforce insurgence that can be ready ahead of the influx of claims that will be a TSUNAMI on the system). 3. Educate and carry out the orders. Once again, get plenty of personnel trained within 90 days of separation to handle the TSUNAMI of claims. Hire them for a period not to exceed FOUR YEARS!!! Now, carry out the plan of the day and, in the immortal words of coach Bill Bellichick, JUST DO YOUR JOB !!!!!
I am so glad that our unit has become a part of the “Screaming Eagles”. I served with the Unit in RVN- ’68-’69. I was glad to do my part and I am a part of the Association..
The one that I learned a day or so ago, “Once A Blue Spader- Always A Blue Spader.
I know that we have a long and glorious history, and I am proud to be numbered among those that served
Thanks every one for your service to a Great Country- The US of A.
Johnnie Whiter-2145
No one wants to relive hrorros especially when the medical community is confused about detections of the existence and seriousness of the traumatic injuries. What good is the blogs hosted by VAdvantage? In my case, the medical records were located at VBA but no one knew whereabouts for initial claims and appeals over 9 years. Yes, the VBA deliberated no service connections without justifications of the missing records at VHA over 9 years.On September 19, I filed benefit claims for initial phase after military discharge dated July 29. I also forward Notice of Disagreement (NOD) for the next 9 years. Strangely, the VBA provided no information as though the VHA bout C-File was unavailable. Therefore, the journey was long and hard with diabolical at Veteran Benefit Administration.Obviously, the VA system was broke in 2001 as though present situations. If VBA and VHA could not find medical history in their facilities, then what are the options for benefit determinations or service connection? After personal discovery in 2009, the Service Treatment Records exhibited clinical diagnoses medical treatment for multi-symptom illnesses, multisystem disease (Sarcoidosis) and traumatic injuries (TBI, SCI, PTSD, etc.). However the VA services disclose nothing of the missing records until I commented about whereabouts after 2009 Washington D.C. VAMC.
wow, I never saw that coming. while i was still active, in 2013 there were rumors that the unit would be retired, but knowing the full unit history, i knew this to be false. too much history to let it waste away. I had a feeling they would relocate, never in my life would i have thought they would become part of 101st. funny story, while i was stationed at knox, my son was stationed at campbell. I wished time and time again i could be in 101st. who would have guessed. if i had not been so broke from back to back deployments and could have convinced the med board to keep me. id have a new home. now i definately need to join the association. i was flipping through some of the deployment photos of the 2010-2012 deployment. it brought back alot of memories. some of my photos are better though. I was out at bawri tanah with c-co.
The ‘Screaming Eagles’ left me with fond memories from 55 years ago, Baumholder, Germany-APO34/Education Center. It was when I got ‘slightly’ run over by a duce&1/2 that an ‘Eagle’ ran to help me up and along. Plus, in the field FTXs we often rousted about and warred across the Main river in ’61 &2, with our new M113s. A bit cocky at times, yes, as we were as well. When you’re good and you know it, you become rather spirited. My hat’s off to the 101st troops and I hope for a beneficial integration of skills, talent and specialties with the historic great ‘Blue Spaders’.
Detlev Lothar Werk
Blue Spader since 1961
Thank you for your message