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Army Names New Vehicle After Enlisted Heroes
Wednesday, February 27, 2002
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
The Army has named its new interim armored vehicle after two soldiers who received the Medal of Honor.

The new Army Light Armored Vehicle III variant equipped with a 105mm gun on display at the Pentagon May 17, 2001.
Photo Credit: SFC Kathleen T. Rhem -- U.S. Army.

The Stryker is named in honor of Spc. 4 Robert F. Stryker, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War, and Pfc. Stuart S. Stryker, who received the award for his actions during World War II. Both men were killed in action. They were not related.

Stryker armored vehicles are at the center of the Army's Interim Brigade Combat Teams. The IBCTs will be lighter and more mobile, yet offer firepower no enemy can hope to match. Strykers are already being deployed to units at Fort Lewis, Wash. In all, six brigades will receive the vehicles. Each brigade will have more than 300 Strykers apiece.

This is only the second Army vehicle named after enlisted personnel. In the early 1980s, the service named the Division Air Defense gun for World War I hero Sgt. Alvin York. The system was plagued with problems before then- Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger cancelled it.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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