Located adjacent to the Battalion Dining Facility (Building 857).

The monument comprises a large fieldstone mounted with a stainless steel plaque. The plaque inscription describes deployments of unit Soldiers to Afghanistan, includes insignia of 7ATC and the 4th Infantry Regiment, and lists the names of 11 Soldiers who gave their lives during combat operations. Although the units primary mission is to provide the opposing force (OPFOR) for exercises at Hohenfels Training Area, elements deployed during 2004-2011 to not only support International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), but also gain valuable experience to improve effectiveness in pre-deployment training for multinational forces at Hohenfels Training Area.

1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment and several unit Gold Star family members dedicated the monument on Memorial Day in 2015, around the five-year mark after the Battalion lost three Soldiers from its Dragon Company who paid the ultimate sacrifice on 6 July 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, but the memorial recognizes the sacrifices of all its fallen Soldiers.

Sources of information: www.stripes.com, www.army.mil

Source of photos: www.army.mil

1st BATTALION 4th INFANTRY REGIMENT AFGHANISTAN SERVICE 

1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, initially deployed a company to Afghanistan in support of the 2004 Afghan presidential elections and subsequently deployed D Co. the following year to provide support for the Afghan presidential elections. In July 2006 1-4 Infantry replaced 2-4 Infantry from Fort Polk LA and began the partnership with Romanian land forces that lasted over nine consecutive deployments. 1-4 IN maintained a company plus sized element with a battalion attack that included US Navy and US Air Force personnel in Zabul province and was the only convention US Army unit to have maintained a continuous presence in Afghanistan. In support of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). In an organization that came to be known as the Romanian-American battle group. During this period 1-4 IN also served their primary mission as USAREUR's OPFOR. The experience they gained in Afghanistan helped the battalion to provide realistic training to those units training at JMRC in preparation for their future deployments. More than 1400 soldiers from 1-4 IN partnered with Romanian and Afghan security forces from July 2006 to January 2011. 11 soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in the defense of freedom. Valorous include 1 Silver Star, 21 Bronze Stars with V Device, 48 ARCOM's with V Device and 1 Soldier's Medal. Over 50 soldiers earned the Purple Heart.