Page 18 - History of War - Issue 25-16

Frontline

CAPTAIN HERBERT R MCMASTER McMaster and
YEARS ACTIVE: 1984-PRESENT his unit destroyed
many Iraqi tanks
REGIMENT/FORCE:EAGLETROOP,2NDARMOREDCAVALRYREGIMENT
Captain Herbert R McMaster was born in Troop accounted for the rest of the enemy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 24 July 1962. armoured vehicles. Minutes later, Eagle
A graduate of the US Military Academy at Troop ploughed through prepared Iraqi
West Point, he deployed during Operation defences, defeated the infantry that stood
Desert Storm as commander of Eagle Troop, and fought, and annihilated 18 enemy T-72
Second Armored Cavalry Regiment. During main battle tanks. McMaster then ordered a
the Battle of 73 Easting on 26 February pair of M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicles
1991, Eagle Troop encountered a large to re-establish contact with neighbouring
armoured force of the Iraqi Republican Ghost Troop on its l ank. En route,
Guard’s Tawakalna Division. the two Bradleys wiped out
Although the encounter was something of a concentration of up to
a surprise and Eagle Troop was signii cantly 13 T-72s with TOW anti-
outnumbered, McMaster’s command tank missiles.
destroyed more than 80 tanks and armoured McMaster handled
vehicles of the Tawakalna Division. In an his 12 M1A1s and
impressive display of superior technology accompanying
and i repower, Eagle Troop dispatched Bradleys skilfully
28 Iraqi tanks, 16 armoured personnel and was awarded
carriers and 30 trucks in the span of just the Silver Star in
23 minutes. During the running engagement recognition of his
that ensued, Eagle Troop steadily advanced. performance. He
Cresting a low rise in the desert landscape, remains active
McMaster then spotted a company of Iraqi with the US Army
tanks. His M1A1 Abrams destroyed the and served as an
Lieutenant General Herbert R McMaster
i rst of eight that were directly in front of instructor at West led Eagle Troop, Second Armored Cavalry
him, and the accompanying tanks of Eagle Point from 1994-96. Regiment, at 73 Easting

“MCMASTER HANDLED HIS 12 M1A1S AND ACCOMPANYING

BRADLEYS SKILFULLY AND RECEIVED THE SILVER STAR IN
RECOGNITION OF HIS PERFORMANCE”

M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks
during Operation Desert Storm

18