From http://www.knox.army.mil/
"The 3rd BCT, 1st ID - also known as the "Duke Brigade" - has a long history of service dating back to its creation on 24 May 1917, as the 1st Expeditionary Division during World War I. The unit was quickly pressed into action upon its arrival to France and was baptized by fire in the battles of Montdidier-Noyon, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Lorraine and
Picardy 1918. After World War I, the unit was designated as Headquarters Company of the 1st Infantry Division - "The Big Red One." In August of 1942 the unit was once again called to defend its nation's interests overseas. During World War II the unit fought battles in Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, the invasion of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and other locations across Central Europe. On 23 October 1963 the 3rd Brigade was reconstituted as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. After its activation, the unit proceeded to The Republic of Vietnam where it saw six years of combat earning thirteen streamers and citations for its actions. After Vietnam, the unit moved to its new home station at Goeppingen, Germany, where it remained until it was deployed to Saudi Arabia where it participated in the Defense of Saudi Arabia and Liberation and Defense of Kuwait Campaigns. The unit was involved in the VII CORPS spearhead operation into Iraq. Upon completion of Desert Storm, the unit returned to Germany and was inactivated on 15 August 1991. The unit was activated in Vilseck, Germany in March 1996. In October 1996, HHC, 3rd Brigade deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of Operation Joint Endeavor to support national elections. In March of 1997, HHC, 3rd Brigade and 2-2 IN deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina for Operation Joint Guard, where it saw action during the Brock riots , seizure of Hill 562, and municipal elections. In February 1999, 3rd Brigade again received the call to deploy to the Balkans, this time to Kosovo. The 3rd Brigade began 10 long months of training and finally deployed in November 1999, assuming its mission on 12 December 1999. The Brigade brought peace to this war-torn country and provided a safe and secure environment for all Kosovars regardless of their ethnicity. In April 2002, 3rd Brigade again received the call to deploy to the Balkans. The Brigade deployed to Kosovo and assumed the mission on 21 November 2002. The Brigade again sustained peace in the war-torn country. Only five months after returning from Kosovo, third Brigade deployed to conduct full spectrum operations in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. During the yearlong deployment, the Duke Brigade helped to bring peace to the people of Iraq. 3rd Brigade, in partnership with Iraqi Civil and Military Authorities, secured the Area of Operations and improved conditions for continued progress towards Iraqi self-reliance; simultaneously it neutralized Anti-Iraqi Forces and set the conditions for successful election. For its distinguished service, the Brigade earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Valorous Unit Award. The Brigade returned to Vilseck in March 2005 and was subsequently inactivated. On 19 April 2007, 3rd Brigade reactivated as a Brigade Combat Team and uncased its Colors once more at Fort Hood, Texas. Distinguishing it above other units, the brigade accomplished the daunting task of standing up, training, and deploying in little more than a year. In June 2008, the Brigade deployed to one of the most contentious areas of Regional Command - East. With headquarters at FOB FENTY, Jalalabad Airfield, the Brigade conducted counterinsurgency operations in the area known as N2KL (Nangahar, Nuristan, Konar, and Laghman Provinces) with Task Force Ramrod in Kandahar under Canadian command and control. The Brigade area bordered the tribal areas of northwestern Pakistan. Comprising hundreds of miles of the most rugged terrain in Afghanistan, this border region both tested the Duke Brigade soldiers and proved their courage. Operating in the inhospitable tribal regions, the Brigade provided security for the Afghan people while assuring the development of the economy, infrastructure, and governance of the nation. Proving the motto “Duty First”, Duke Soldiers earned 280 Purple Hearts and over 300 individual and unit valor awards. Following its deployment the Duke Brigade returned home to Fort Hood, Texas in July 2008 and once again began preparation to move. On 16 October 2009 the Brigade reactivated at Fort Knox, Kentucky. In the largest combat deployment from Fort Knox since World War II, in December 2012 the brigade deployed as Task Force Duke to eastern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where it had coalition force control of Khowst and Paktya Provinces within Regional Command— East. The 1st Battalion 26th Infantry Regiment, 6th Squadron 4th Cavalry Regiment and the 1st Battalion 6th Field Artillery conducted counterinsurgency operations and helped secure and reinforce the border provinces of Khowst and Paktya while working hand in hand with Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, and Afghan Border Police. The Special Troops Battalion assisted the local governments and established working relationships with Afghan forces in the area of operations, while partnering with Afghan Border Police in Paktya province. 201st Brigade Support Battalion provided logistical support for the brigade and helped build Afghan logistics support capability. 2nd Battalion 2nd Infantry Regiment operated separately from TF Duke under the Polish Brigade Task Force White Eagle in Ghazni Province where it also conducted vital counterinsurgency operations in the volatile region. The Duke Brigade redeployed to Fort Knox in January 2012 after its second year-long tour in Afghanistan and is currently conducting extensive training and preparation for future contingency operations." "2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry forms, organizes, and trains at Fort Knox beginning 16 October 2009 to achieve full spectrum operations readiness in order to be prepared to deploy in support of the Nation's security objectives not later than 16 October 2010."
