The 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team has been awarded the Navy Unit Commendation at a ceremony on June 9th at Fort Bliss, Texas.
The 155th ABCT earned the commendation while serving under the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) during Operation Iraqi Freedom III from 2005-2006. The award was approved on January 3, 2017, for the II MEF, to include assigned Army and Air Force elements by then Secretary of the Navy, and fellow Mississippian, Ray Mabus.
The Navy Unit Commendation is awarded for heroic actions against an armed enemy.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom III, 16 Mississippi Soldiers from the 155th ABCT were killed in action while conducting combat operations. Overall, 28 Soldiers and Civilians assigned to the 155th were lost in battle.
“This commendation is dedicated to the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice during that deployment,” said Col. Robert D. Ferguson, commander, 155th ABCT.
The ceremony concluded with a casing of the brigade and battalion colors. The colors will remain cased until the unit arrives in the Middle East and officially begin their 9- month deployment in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
