735th presented with meritorious unit commendation

DE SOTO, Mo. -- Military officers, elected officials and members of the public turned out to participate in a ceremony officially presenting the Missouri National Guard's 735th Quartermaster Force Provider Company with the prestigious Meritorious Unit Commendation for its support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The day of the ceremony, May 1, 2010, was even named 735th Quartermaster Company Day in Jefferson County, which is home to the company's headquarters in De Soto. The ceremony was held at De Soto High School. The 735th has a detachment of Soldiers that work and drill at the armory in Cape Girardeau.

"We just wanted to make sure that you understood that we understand that you left your homes and your families, your jobs and your responsibilities to go in defense of our country," said Jefferson County Executive Chuck Banks, speaking to the members of the 735th. "For that, we are truly grateful. You performed meritoriously and honorably."

According to orders released by the Department of the Army, the 735th displayed "outstanding professional skill, selfless service and unparalleled esprit de corps," or morale, while executing its various missions "under extremely austere and dangerous conditions."

About 85 Soldiers with the 735th, which has headquarters in De Soto and detachments throughout the state, were deployed from Aug. 11, 2007, until Feb. 20, 2008. Detachment 1 is in Poplar Bluff, Detachment 2 is in Jefferson City, Detachment 3 is in Cape Girardeau, Detachment 4 is in Rolla and Detachment 5 is at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis.

The ceremony was held to formally recognize the achievements of the 735th, said 1st Lt. Todd Marino, a platoon leader for the 735th's Detachment 5. The commendation is awarded to units for exceptionally meritorious conduct and performance of outstanding service for at least six continuous months during the period of military operations against an armed enemy, Marino said. Service in a combat zone is not required, he said, but must be directly related to the combat effort.

"The unit must display such outstanding devotion in superior performance of difficult tasks as to set it apart and above other units with similar missions," he said.

The 735th was detached with the 177th Military Police Brigade. The 735th performed various security missions, including protecting an ammunition bunker complex as well as serving as personal security for high-ranking officials and VIPs who came on base. They also provided security on logistics missions and on supply convoys.

At the ceremony, the Citizen-Soldiers with the 735th were given commendations they will wear on their dress uniforms. The unit was presented with a meritorious streamer, which is scarlet and has the inscription "Iraq 2007" emblazoned on it.

Col. Wendul Hagler, commander of 70th Troop Command, was the presiding officer for the ceremony. Upon taking the microphone, Hagler said he wanted to remind the Soldiers who they are.

"We are the United States Army and the Missouri National Guard," he said. "We defend liberty. We protect freedom. We protect good people from bad people and bad things. That's who we are."

Hagler said the 735th will wear the citation in honor of those "who stand before us today who were present when it was earned."

While the 735th may not always look the same or even be called by the same name, Hagler said their efforts will never be forgotten.

"In the short run, honors are earned and recognized here today," he said. "In the long run, you can be sure you're legacy will be annotated in the rolls of Army history and it is enduring. Today, you add your units name to the proud roll of honor along other great Troop Command units."

Hagler said there is no brigade in the state that can lay claim to the record of "pure excellence and valor" like the 70th Troop Command can, citing past honors going to the 2175th Military Police Company, the 1139th Military Police Company, the 835th CSSB, the 1221st Transportation Company and the 205th and 206th Medical Companies.

"Know that for 373 years, while it is the boots you stand in today, someone else stood in this formation somewhere in our great country and someone will stand in this great formation for 1,000 years to come," he said. "And they will wear that meritorious unit citation on the day that they join this unit because of you."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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For more information about this release, please contact Scott Moyers at (573) 339-6264 or e-mail him at scott.moyers1@us.army.mil.