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Century of Service: U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division
A discussion about U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division's origin and lasting impact of the Army's first divisional unit created for combat in Europe in World War I. Presented in partnership with U.S. Army Office of Public Affairs, Midwest and the First Division Museum at Cantigny.
The 1st Infantry Division, also known as "The Big Red One", is the U.S. Army's oldest continuously serving division. The discussion will explore the Division's foundation, combat, and major operations since its establishment on June 8, 1917.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL SHAWN M. BAULT serves as the G5 Chief of Plans for the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. He received his commission in the Field Artillery from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1999. Following 9/11, Lieutenant Colonel Bault served as the 120mm Mortar Platoon Leader for Task Force 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Operation Enduring Freedom I in Afghanistan. He deployed again in 2003 as an Officer for Task Force 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I in Iraq. He served again in support of Operation Enduring Freedom XIV as the Battalion S3 for 4th Battalion, 1st Artillery Regiment. While deployed, Lieutenant Colonel Bault was reassigned to Combined Joint Task Force—Horn of Africa, serving as the lead Somalia planner. In addition to completing several military education courses, he also holds a bachelor's degree in history from the United States Military Academy and a master's degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University. His decorations include Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4OLC), Air Assault Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Combat Action Badge.
DR. PAUL HERBERT is the Executive Director of the First Division Museum at Cantigny. A 1972 West Point graduate, he holds a Ph. D. in History from the Ohio State University and is a graduate of the US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. A retired Colonel, United States Army, Dr. Herbert held a variety of operational assignments, including command of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, and service on the Joint Staff in Washington, DC. He has been Professor of Military Studies at the National War College, Washington, DC; Senior Fellow, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Garmisch, Germany; and Assistant Professor of History, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. He is the author of Deciding What Has to be Done: General William E. Depuy and the Writing of Field Manual 100-5, Operations, 1976, and has written several articles and lectured frequently on national security and military history and affairs. Dr. Herbert is a member of the American Historical Association; the Chicago Council on Global Affairs; the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society; the International Institute for Strategic Studies; and the Society for Military History.
