“Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.” - Heraclitus
I have taken the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail to make it the Warriors and Brothers in Arms Trail. I hope to provide a little education, fun, challenge, and just maybe an appreciation for the generations of Americans who put their lives on the line so that we may enjoy our freedoms – to include Geocaching. These vignettes are not comprehensive histories – all factual errors are mine. If you find an error, contact me so that I can fix it.
A Musical Tribute
When a communist country invades an ally, who does the President call to send a message that you crossed an intolerable line. The President calls the 82nd Airborne Division. America's Guard of Honor gives the President the ability to put American military might on the ground anywhere in the world within 18 hours.
In early March, 1988, the Nicaraguan communist Sandinista government launched an operation to overrun contra rebel supply caches in the region and crossed into Honduran territory. The United States, under President Ronald Reagan, dispatched elements of his Quick Reaction Force (QRF) on a no-notice deployment. The deployment evolved into a live-fire exercise, the paratroopers , the light infantry soldiers (of the 7th Infantry Division), and special operations unit deployed ready to fight, causing the Sandinistas to rapidly withdraw back across their border.
The units from the 82nd Airborne, began rigorous training exercises with orders to avoid the fighting on the border. Had those orders changed, the paratroopers and infantrymen were prepared to fight, but the invading Sandinista troops had already begun to withdraw. Within days, the Sandinista government negotiated a truce with Contra leaders, and by the end of March the 7th Infantry had returned to Fort Ord, California and the paratroopers of the 504th had returned to Fort Bragg.
Diamondback7 was a young 18 year-old paratrooper and this was the first of many times that he would feel this unique brand of military adrenaline rush. These troops would later jump in Operation Just Cause on a moments notice in 1989 and then in 1990 for Desert Shield/Storm. As older troops they would lead soldiers in battle in both Iraq and Afghanistan
When the President wants to put a show of force on the ground, sleep well knowing there are young men and women ready to execute the mission.
Cache is not at the posted location
North = 38 56. (Year of the operation - 1145)
West = 76 49. (The Parachute Infantry Regiment + 52)