The VII Corps Desert Storm Veterans Association (DSVA) was launched informally in 1995 to remember those who gave the last full measure, to preserve and foster camaraderie, to provide charitable assistance, and to foster camaraderie between VII Corps Veterans and Families. The Association founders’ intent was also to provide a forum for soldiers and families who served in the VII Corps during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm to network and preserve shared memories.

After an initial informal get together at a local Arlington, Virginia restaurant in February 1995 the Association was officially established in 1996. Since then we have sponsored an annual event to honor our fallen soldiers with a Memorial Service during which we read the names of each of those VII Corps soldiers who gave the last full measure. Our Memorial Service is then followed by a Reunion Dinner that supports the other activities of the Association. In 1997 we awarded the first scholarships to immediate family members of VII Corps DSVA soldiers and as of 2015 we have provided over $360,000 in college tuition assistance to more than 130 soldiers and family members. Over the years we have been fortunate to have many distinguished Soldiers and leaders who served with us or were key to the success of Operation Desert Storm. Speakers at our Reunion dinners included former President George H. W. Bush, former Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell, and many VII Corps veterans like General Martin Dempsey, General Dave McKiernan, General Ray Odierno, and our own General Fred Franks, as well as other great Soldiers like Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army General Jack Keane.

All of the support of the Association, both financial and operational, is provided by volunteers, both individual and corporate. Several corporations in the defense industry provided important scholarship financial support at various times. In addition to the annual Memorial Service and Reunion Dinner the Association sponsors a golf tournament each September to help raise funds for the scholarship program. The Association recently initiated a social media effort to expand its reach by using Facebook and by developing an interactive web page to increase and enhance contact with VII Corps veterans everywhere.

The VII Corps Desert Storm Veterans Association (DSVA) is a tax exempt organization under IRS Code 501(c)(19). It was formed for members of VII Corps who served in Desert Storm, including military, civilian, and family members who served with us in the desert or supported us in Germany. All contributions less actual expenses go to support the VII Corps DSVA Scholarship Program.

Our History

In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and refused to obey United Nation’s resolutions demanding their immediate withdrawal. VII Corps began their contingency planning immediately after the invasion, but did not begin to execute this planning until President Bush’s 8 November announcement that the Corps would re-deploy from Europe to Southwest Asia (SWA).
After this announcement, VII Corps became the first of the forward deployed Corps to be redeployed to another theater. There the VII Corps faced, and mastered, numerous challenges after arriving ready for combat in Saudi Arabia in December 1990.
In the interim, between the start of the air war on 15 January 1991 and the start of the ground war, Corps units participated in many reconnaissance operations and raids along the Iraqi front lines. The focus of these attacks was 1st Cavalry Division in the Rugi Pocket.

The Ground War

With the commencement of the ground war, the 1st Infantry Division of Omaha Beach fame, breached the Iraqi fortified zone, while 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored and 3rd Armored swept around the Iraqi right flank.

As the Corps began it’s left hook early 26 February, heavy contact was made with the Iraqi center of gravity-The Republican Guard Force Corps (RGFC). Moving to contact, 2d ACR engaged one brigade of the RGFC Tawalkana Division near 73 Easting. In an awesome demonstration of technical and tactical superiority, the 2nd ACR worked to defeat the brigade of the Tawalkana Division.

To the north, elements of the 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides), conducted an assault on dug-in Iraqi commandos in the town of Al Busayyahand. After destroying them, the 1st Armored Division turned East. In subsequent engagements, 1st Armored Division destroyed one brigade each of the RGFC Tawalkana and Adnan divisions, two brigades of the Medina Division, as well as capturing the Medina Division’s headquarters.

The Spearhead

3d Armored Division (Spearhead), passed around 2d ACR early in the morning of 26 February. There the 2d ACR found itself engaged in continuous combat for two days at Phase Line Bullet and East.

3d Armored Division, in conjunction with the 1st Infantry Division, completed the destruction of theTawalkana Division, the Iraqi Johad Corps and other defending Iraqi divisions.

The 1st Armored Division (UK), whose 7th Armored Brigade became famous as the Desert Rats of WWII North Africa, engaged and destroyed the Iraqi 52d Division and many of the headquarters of the Iraqi frontline infantry divisions. Following the destruction of the headquarters of the Iraqi frontline infantry divisions, 1st Armored (UK) completing their attack across Highway 8 north of Kuwait City.

Cease-Fire

After the cease-fire, 1st Infantry Division cleared Safwan Airfield of Iraqi forces and secured the area for negotiations.

In an amazingly short time, the VII Corps’ 146,000 US and British soldiers – both active and reserve – and civilians blended into a complementary and remarkably effective team of combat, combat support and combat service support units. Together they formed the largest battlefield tested armored corps in the history of the US Army.

Overall, the events of early 1990 proved once again the extraordinary effectiveness of the nation’s most precious resource — her sons and daughters.