Bob Babcock's Corner
Fourth ID Historian
News From Iraq
This page was last updated: November 28, 2009
Who is Bob Babcock?

Many of you "old timers" have been with me for one or two updates and know my background, others have joined along the way and haven't heard much about me.  It's not unusual for me to get a note asking about my background and why I do these updates.  I'll ask the old timers to bear with me and let me explain to the new people who I am and how these updates got started.

I grew up in Heavener, OK, the third of four sons of a railroad engineer; graduated from college at what is now Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS with a 2LT commission from the ROTC program; and am a veteran of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID).  I served in Vietnam in 1966-1967 as a rifle platoon leader and executive officer with B/1-22 IN (for those who haven't picked up the military terminology by now - that's B Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment) of the 4ID. 

I "retired" from a 34 year business career with IBM on June 30, 2002 and haven't slowed down since.  Among other veteran related things, I am past president and current historian of the National 4th Infantry Division Association and also have the responsibility to serve as liaison between our veterans and our active duty 4ID unit. 

In late 2002 I formed Americans Remembered, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that is an official partner of the Veterans History Project.  Our mission is to preserve the stories of America's veterans and those who support them from the home front - using videotaped interviews (to learn more, check our web page at www.americansremembered.org ).  (And, if you want to make a tax deductible donation to Americans Remembered, I will be focused more on that with part of the time that I'll now have available.  I am once again comfortable with accepting donations in that organization which has pretty much been put on hold the past year).

My wife, Jan, and I live in Marietta, GA, a northern suburb of Atlanta.  We have four grown kids (two sons and two daughters) and two grandkids (a boy and a girl) plus Ruth Anne, our Rotweiller dog that Jan got from a "Rottie Rescue" place during the last deployment. 

I've written three military books, "War Stories - Utah Beach to Pleiku", "Operation Iraqi Freedom I - A Year in the Sunni Triangle" and my own personal Vietnam story, "What Now, Lieutenant?" - all 4ID related books.  I've edited and published a business success book for a friend, "The Sooner the Better" and, as mentioned above, am working on another business success book which will be out in the first quarter of 2007.  I love writing and hope to be able to do a lot more. 

When 4ID/TF Ironhorse was alerted in January 2003 to go to Iraq, I started sending out to less than a hundred friends and family members daily email notes covering what I could find about the 4ID on the internet and through my contacts in the division.  After reading some pleading notes on the 4ID Association web page from family members wanting information on what was going on in Iraq, I opened the updates to 4ID/TF Ironnhorse family members on May 18, 2003.  Within the first hour I had 65 people sign up for the updates.  I had no clue what that offer would grow in to.  By the time the 4ID returned home in March/April 2004, we estimated that about 30,000 people per day were receiving the updates (done daily for the first half of the tour and then five days per week during the last half). 

I had no plan to do updates again but in November of last year I started getting notes from family members asking (sometimes pleading) if I was going to do it for the second deployment.  After much praying and soul searching, I decided to once again tackle this mission.  My list started from my old distribution list at the end of OIF I and once again grew to about 30,000 people (when you count the ones forwarded by those getting them from me).

Why do I do this?  It seems like the right thing to do.  God gave me the ability to communicate, an understanding and passion for the Army and the Soldiers in it, and the common sense to know what to include in updates and what to leave out.  I think He wants me to use those talents to help the Soldiers and their families who have the most important jobs in the world today.  Our Soldiers are serving on the front lines in the Global War on Terror to protect our freedoms.  Their families and friends are supporting them on a daily basis.  The least I could do was try to help them by continuing this update service that was beneficial to many people on the first deployment.  On both deployments I've felt that God gave me the challenge to help, and it was up to me to either take up that challenge or walk away from it.

So, now you probably know more than you ever wanted to know about me and how the updates came about.

What can you do to help?  As I've explained on many occasions, I need financial help from those who can afford to buy a book, donate for a CD of the updates, or are willing to make a monetary donation to this effort.  I've found that retirement is nice, but the pay sucks.  You can mail your CD or book order or donation to me at PO Box 682222, Marietta, GA 30068 - or, I accept credit card orders (Visa/MC) via email notes.  You can always download a book order form from my son's web page at www.babcockmetalworks.net and clicking on the 4ID button on the lower left hand side of his home page.

So I'll sign off...

Continue to pray for our Soldiers and their families.  Those of you who will be traveling, focus on staying safe.  Never forget our fallen and wounded Soldiers, and those who are still serving in harm's way.

My USO day yesterday was another great one.  I got to talk to lots more Soldiers and enjoyed the camaraderie of my fellow vets working with me.  We'll keep doing that as we go into 2007 - and for as long as we're needed.

Continue to pray for Peggy, my mother-in-law, and Jan.  It's a difficult time as Peggy continues to decline.

I'm proud of you all.  We've been a great team who has looked out for each other.   An active duty Army colonel friend sent me the following note:  "Bob, hooah!  Mission complete, dismissed... great words for a Soldier to hear nowadays...  All the best". 

We have completed this mission - dismissed!  I remain "Steadfast and Loyal" - and will do my best to continue to practice "Deeds not Words" in whatever is in my future...

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Bob Babcock - "Deeds not Words"
President, Americans Remembered - www.americansremembered.org
Past President, 22nd Infantry Regiment Society - www.22ndinfantry.org
Past President, Historian, National 4th Infantry Div Assn - www.4thinfantry.org
PO Box 682222, Marietta, GA 30068 - Phone 678-480-4422 (cell)
As the mighty 4th Infantry Division gets ready to move out again, we welcome back Bob Babcock.  Who is he?  Please read below and remember he does this on his own, any help we can give him, please let's do it.

--Mike Bardunias - Father of Captain John Bardunias and Father-in-law to Captain Antoinette Bardunias.