The 66th anniversary commemoration of “Operation Dragoon” will be held on 10 August 2010 in Washington, DC and is being hosted by Outpost Europe and Outpost #7 (DC/NOVA) of the Society of the Third Infantry Division Association, the Army Historical Foundation, and Corporate host Polu Kai Services, LLC. The mission of the Army Historical Foundation is to educate future Americans to fully appreciate the sacrifices that generations of American soldiers have made to safeguard the freedoms of the nation. Polu Kai Services is a disabled Veteran’s construction service firm in Falls Church, VA. Speaking at the event is General Carter F. Ham, Commanding General, United States Army, Europe, with musical accompaniment provided the United States Army Band, Pershing’s Own. Special and honored guests include surviving Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Forces who participated in the invasion. In conjunction with their attendance, these veterans will add their experiences to the Living Oral History Project conducted by the Library of Congress. Foreign guests attending include Mayor Jacques Bompard and Deputy Mayor Xavier Marquot of Orange, France -- which was liberated by the Allies after “Operation Dragoon” forces pushed inland; Deputy Mayor of Vesoul, Alain Chretien and military Attaches representing the UK, Canada, France, Greece, Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany.

“Operation Dragoon” took place on 15 August 1944. It is known as the “2nd, or Forgotten, D-Day”. It was an Allied amphibious and airborne invasion into Southern France which was executed by 885 ships and landing craft delivering 151,000 troops and 21,400 vehicles to the shore. Landing in the first wave were three of the US Army’s most experienced combat divisions – the 3rd, 36th, and 45th Infantry Divisions under the command of well-respected commanders LTG Alexander M. Patch of 7th Army, and MG Lucian K. Truscott of 6th Corps. This operation effectively forced the 19th German Army and 7th Panzer Division to retreat north and east after the earlier main invasion on June 6, 1944. With combined naval and air combat support, “Operation Dragoon” allowed the Allies to secure logistical harbor facilities in Toulon and Marseilles for the prosecution of the war to drive the German army back into the Rhineland.

The mission of OP Europe of the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division is to preserve the history of the 3rd Infantry Division in Europe, honor the veteran’s of the division and its attached units for their achievements and sacrifices during combat operations in Europe, educate the European public on the division's contributions to their liberty through historical seminars, enhance and rebuild the trans-Atlantic friendship and partnership at a personal level, and to inspire the division's Soldiers of today with the knowledge that their sacrifices will also someday be honored and remembered. The president of OP Europe is CPT Monika Stoy, United States Army (Ret), Adjutant General Corps

The mission of Outpost #7 of the Society of the Third Infantry Division is to preserve and honor the memory of all Soldiers who served with the 3rd Infantry Division from WWI to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). To increase public awareness of the Third Infantry Division’s vital contribution to American history, they regularly participate in wreath laying ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day at the Tomb of the Unknown and at the 3rd Infantry Division Monument across from the amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition, each year OP #7 lays a single red rose at the resting place of 1LT Audie L. Murphy who was assigned to Baker Co, 1-15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division throughout WW II. Murphy participated in Operation Dragoon, and received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions near Ramatuelle, France on 15 August 1944 and later received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions near Holtzwihr, France on 26 January 1945. Today, Audie Murphy remains the most highly decorated U.S. soldier in WW II. OP #7 lends direct support to Outpost Europe activities and events taking place in the Washington, D.C/NOVA. The President of Outpost #7 is former Captain Dave Adams, United States Army, Cavalry, who served with several combat units within the 3rd Infantry Division, in the former West Germany, at the height of the 1960s era Cold War.

The ceremony on August 10 will commence at 9:00 AM at Arlington National Cemetery and is open to the public – you are invited to attend and stand alongside some of the incredible WWII Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen who fought bravely and sacrificed for our freedoms today. It is your chance to say “Thank you” in person.

Arlington National Cemetery
Memorial Drive or King Drive Arlington, VA 22211
(703) 607-8000

Parking is available to visitors, accessible from Memorial Drive. The cost is $1.75/hour for the first three hours, and $3.50/hour thereafter.

Exit on to George Washington Parkway; follow the Parkway until you see a sign for Arlington National Cemetery, take the exit to Arlington National Cemetery. Stay to your left. After the stop sign make a left turn. The cemetery is straight ahead. You can also get to Arlington Cemetery via the Metro on the Blue Line (Arlington National Cemetery). The station is located at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, near Memorial Drive.
 

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