ST. GEORGE — Since its inception, the Utah National Guard has sought to be a premier, community-based military force, comprised of resilient and adaptable soldiers and airmen.
The 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery, proudly known as the Triple Deuce, has maintained an unbroken legacy of excellence throughout its storied history.
Tracing its roots back to the Nauvoo Legion (1841-1845), the Mormon Battalion (1846-1847), and the Utah Territorial Militia (1848-1870), as well as the 1st Utah Artillery, the Triple Deuce has a distinguished service record. From the Indian Wars to the Civil War, through the Spanish-American War, Mexican Border War, the Philippine Insurrection, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, units from the Utah National Guard have served with distinction.
Vietnam War (1955 – 1975)
In the early 1960s, the United States had been drawn into the escalating conflict in Vietnam as a way to keep the spread of communism in check. As the war intensified, the National Guard, a reserve component of the United States military, was called upon to serve alongside active-duty forces.
For many National Guardsmen, the war was a distant reality, something they had seen on the TV or read about in the newspapers. But as the draft began, reality hit close to home. Men from small towns and cities across America, who had joined the Guard to serve found themselves aboard a commercial airplane bound for Vietnam.
“I stepped off the plane and into a furnace. The heat enveloped me like a wet blanket, and the sounds of gunfire and helicopters filled the air. I couldn’t believe I was finally here; in a place I’d only seen in movies and newsreels. The reality hit me like a ton of bricks – I was in Vietnam, and this was going to be a long, long year,” said Pfc. Johnathan Smith, 1st Infantry Division, upon arrival in Vietnam, 1967.
Although the Utah National Guard was not deployed as a unit during the Vietnam War, many individuals from the Beehive State stepped forward to serve their country. Some volunteered, while others were drafted. By 1976, it’s estimated that more than 47,000 Vietnam War veterans called Utah home.
When Kenneth Sabo, a St. George resident and U.S. Army soldier, arrived in Vietnam in the spring of 1971, the experience was utterly overwhelming. The sights, sounds, and smells of the war-torn country assaulted his senses, marking the beginning of a challenging and intense experience.
“I was blown away. I mean the smell and it was just – I wondered what the heck I got myself in for,” said Sabo during a 2013 interview with the Utah Public Broadcasting Service.
The experiences of combat had left an indelible mark on Sabo’s memory, etching vivid and haunting recollections that remained long after the war had ended.
“We were getting mortared almost every night,” he said. “We had the trip flares out and it was eleven o’clock or so one night and the trip flare went off. It was quite the shock to whoever hit the trip flare … and so we had a ground attack that night and mortars. Next morning we found nine bodies and a whole lot more blood trails where stuff just disappeared. It was pretty hairy that night. That was the night that my friend Stan took a .50 caliber round to the head.”
Despite the state’s National Guard ground forces not being deployed during Vietnam, the Utah Air National Guard’s 151st Military Airlift Group took to the skies. From 1966 to 1971, aircrews flew 96 missions, transporting 1,340 tons of cargo to Vietnam. Additionally, they conducted 110 missions to Southeast Asia, Korea, Europe, and Central and South America, carrying uncounted tons of cargo in indirect support of the war.
Although there were several international conflicts that demanded U.S. military involvement following the Vietnam War, including the invasions of Lebanon, Granada and Panama, it wasn’t until the Global War on Terror that the Utah National Guard was again called into service.
On Sept. 11, 2001, the Nation faced a new challenge when terrorists hijacked four domestic flights, crashing two into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, leaving a trail of devastation and uncertainty in its wake.
In the aftermath of the September 11, the world had changed forever.
As the Global War on Terror unfolded, more than 17,000 Utah citizen-soldiers answered the call to duty, deploying to far-flung regions throughout the Middle East and leaving behind loved ones, friends and communities to face the forces of evil.
In the scorching deserts of Iraq, a steel rain fell upon the enemy, courtesy of the brave men and women of the 222nd. With their cannons blazing and their spirits unbroken, these artillerymen and women brought thunder to the battlefield, supporting ground troops and shaped the course of the war. Their story is one of courage, sacrifice and firepower.
Ramadi (2005-2006)
Between June 2005 and June 2006, the 222nd was deployed to Ramadi as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit provided artillery support for main supply route security, forward operating base defense, and direct artillery support across the brigade combat team and its division.
Ramadi, a city notorious for its treacherous combat environment, presented a formidable challenge during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 28th Infantry Division, the 222nd Battalion played a vital role in securing this insurgent stronghold, which had been overrun by groups like Al-Qaeda.
Equipped with the M109A6 Paladin, a 155mm self-propelled howitzer, the 222nd engaged in relentless urban warfare, contending with insurgents’ guerrilla tactics, including roadside bombs and ambushes. Undeterred, the battalion carried out multiple clearing operations to flush out enemy forces, often encountering fierce resistance.
According to government records, 24 Utah servicemen died during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. 1st Class Ronald (Ronnie) Tanner Wood of Cedar City, and former member of the Triple Deuce, was one of the fallen.
Wood died July 16, 2005, after his Humvee was struck by a roadside bomb in Kirkuk, Iraq.
The explosion also injured two comrades who were riding alongside him. Sgt. Christopher L. Olsen, from Logan, survived with cuts, bruises, and a shrapnel wound to his left leg.
Spc. Eric J. Lund, from Providence, Utah, suffered more severe injuries, including a broken leg, head wound, and back injuries. The incident was a stark reminder of the dangers and sacrifices made by those serving in the military.
All three were members of the guard’s Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 148th Field Artillery, based in Logan.
Needless to say, Wood’s death came as a devastating shock to his family. Jody Wood said her husband Ron, was always worried about their son’s safety and when two uniformed officers came to their door he couldn’t speak.
“He just said ‘Oh, no’ and collapsed,” Jody Wood said.
As the 2-222nd arrived in Iraq, their first priority was to secure the vital supply routes that snaked through the desert, keeping the enemy from disrupting the flow of essential resources to friendly forces. With their artillery expertise, they provided a shield of protection, ensuring that convoys and patrols could move safely through the treacherous terrain.
But their role went far beyond just route security. The 2-222nd was also responsible for defending the forward operating bases, those fragile outposts of freedom that dotted the landscape. With their guns and expertise, they helped repel enemy attacks, keeping their fellow soldiers safe and giving them a sense of security in the midst of chaos.
One of the battalion’s most pivotal assignments was to provide direct artillery support to the brigade combat teams across the division. With pinpoint accuracy, they unleashed a barrage of precision firepower, pounding enemy positions and strong points with unrelenting fury.
Though the guard enjoyed a significant advantage with superior fire support, uncontested air dominance, and world-class training, the harsh realities of war still posed a constant threat.
Among those killed in action was Lt. Col. Michael Erich McLaughlin, a Pennsylvania National Guardsman who served with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division (Mechanized), attached to the 222nd. McLaughlin’s sacrifice was particularly notable as he was the first officer from Pennsylvania to die in action since World War II.
Described as a “force of nature,” McLaughlin’s “dynamic” personality and sense of humor were things no one could forget.
In his role as the brigade effects coordinator, McLaughlin met frequently with the local community leaders as well as the Governor of Al Anbar province. McLaughlin wanted to foster local participation in the economic and political progress, and further the transition of the war-torn nation into a unified Iraqi.
McLaughlin’s strong relationships with Iraqi leaders bore fruit when an impressive number of Iraqi Police recruits — more than 740 — turned up at the “Glass Factory” in western Ar Ramadi between Jan. 2-6, 2006. This was a significant improvement from the previous event, which had attracted no recruits.
McLaughlin, not content with orchestrating and planning behind the scenes, was an officer that led from the front.
Arriving at approximately 8 a.m., January 5, McLaughlin immediately assessed the situation and the unusually high number of police recruits. At great personal risk, his team commingled in a crowd of more than 300 civilians, in spite of intelligence reports indicating the possibility of both grenade and suicide vehicle attacks.
McLaughlin immediately took charge of the situation, instructing his soldiers and the Iraqi Security Forces to scrutinize civilians capable of concealing weapons or explosive devices.
Unknown to McLaughlin a suicide bomber had already infiltrated the crowd.
Within a blink of an eye, an explosion cut through the crowd killing a U.S. Marine and approximately 80 Iraqi citizens, while injuring dozens of others. In that instant McLaughlin was fatally struck in the head by shrapnel.
Before succumbing to his wounds, McLaughlin refused treatment, urging the troops who raced to his aid to concentrate their efforts on saving the lives of his injured men.
Cedar City guardsman, Staff Sgt. K.C. Torgerson, was there that day.
“The radio traffic was going crazy,” Torgerson said. “I gathered there was a large explosion … and that there were several people down. LTC Mac had received a head wound and was down. They were calling for a medevac ASAP.”
Functioning on instinct and training, Torgerson jumped in his Humvee and raced to the scene.
“We pulled up … there were people laying everywhere. Spc. David Underwood and I got out and headed over to help out. There was a Marine lying on a stretcher on the sidewalk. I could tell by just looking at him that he was gone (so) I started (helping) a soldier that was down. …His wrist was bleeding, but it was already bandaged. His pants had been cut off at that point and I could tell that he had a broken left femur, and his right leg was full of shrapnel. …It wasn’t until we started loading him (for transport) that I realized who it was.”
Looking up at Torgerson was a good friend. Cpl. McCoy.
“McCoy was in a lot of pain,” Torgerson said. “When we got him to the truck, I leaned over to him and told him that he was going to be (okay), he looked at me like ‘where the hell did you come from.’ …The rest of the afternoon seemed to drag on like weeks. …This will be a day that I know I will never forget and one that I never want to experience again.”
In recognition of his bravery that day, McLaughlin was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the Nation’s third highest award for valor.
Baghdad (2011)
Two years earlier and 63 miles away, a U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began on March 20, 2003, with a force of 150,000 American troops and 23,000 soldiers from other countries. After fierce fighting, Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, fell 20 days later, toppling Saddam Hussein’s government.
In the closing months of the occupation, the 222nd was tasked with base defense, personnel security details, convoy security, combat patrols, and assisted in the draw down of troops and shutting down bases following the U.S. withdrawal. Although the orders to pack up and leave had been sent out to units across Iraq, American forces still faced persistent insurgent attacks, with October being one of the deadliest months.
A series of bombings struck Baghdad, starting with a magnetic bomb and two improvised explosive device blasts on October 7, that killed seven and injured 39. On October 10, three explosions hit the Shia neighborhood of Washash, killing 10 and injuring 18. Two days later, a string of bombings and shootings occurred across the city, including suicide car bomb attacks on two police stations that killed 22 and injured 55.
The bombings weren’t yet over.
The next evening, four roadside bombs exploded in Sadr City, killing 18 and injuring 47. The insurgent attacks continued throughout the year, culminating in a series of coordinated attacks in Baghdad on Dec. 22, 2011, that killed 69 and injured at least 169.
Requiem for the Living
The 2-222nd’s history is a tapestry of bravery, resilience and unwavering dedication.
From their origins in the Nauvoo Legion to their modern-day missions, the Triple Deuce has stood as a symbol of strength and unity. The stories of their past are not just tales of war, but of community, family and the unbreakable bonds forged in the crucible of combat.
And so, the legacy of the Triple Deuce marches on, a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood.
“The profession of arms is a sacred trust, a noble calling, a righteous endeavor. It requires courage, honor, and sacrifice. It demands loyalty, duty, and selflessness. It is a profession that is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to stand tall in the face of danger, to stand strong in the face of adversity, and to stand proud in the face of challenge,” said, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.
This is the final of a three-part series. Read the first two stories below:
From the Argonne to the Pacific: Utah National Guard’s heroic journey Part 1
Courage under fire: Utah National Guard’s Korean War legacy Part 2
Photo Gallery
VIETNAM - JANUARY 02: Naval officers disembark from a helicopter during a raid that will continue until sunrise, against a bastion of Viet Congs, in South Vietnam. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
RAMADI, IRAQ: US soldiers evacuate wounded comrades during a raid in the restive city of Ramadi, 100 kms west of Baghdad, early 27 November 2004. US soldiers are trying to convince the population of Ramadi to cooperate in their hunt for insurgents, but stumble on the residents' fear of bloody retaliation. AFP PHOTO/AHMAD AL-RUBAYE (Photo credit should read AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY - MAY 2: U.S. Army Spc. Dallen Anderson (C) kisses his 18-month-old son Davin (R) as he holds his three-year-old daughter Heather (L) upon returning with other members of the 1457th Engineering Battalion of the Utah National Guard at the Utah National Guard Air Base after a 14-month tour of duty in Iraq May 2, 2004 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The deployment of the 1457th had been extended, but the Pentagon changed plans and brought the battalion home as originally scheduled. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
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