Fort Benning in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Operation Just Cause

Dec 20 1989 - Jan 31 1990

— Red Devils —

Operation Just Cause Monument (front) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 3, 2018

1. Operation Just Cause Monument (front)

Inscription.

Operation Just Cause. Dec 20 1989 - Jan 31 1990. 1st Battalion (Airborne) 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment 193rd Infantry Brigade Republic of Panama, . Bronze plaque The "Red Devil" Battalion executed a helicopter air assault into Ft. Amador, Panama on 20 December 1989. The paratroopers seized the Panama Defense Forces unit and facilities through the methodical room to room clearance of enemy occupied structures.
After conducting a relief-in-place with the Rangers at the Commandancia, the "Red Devils" cleared and occupied the Chorrillo neighborhood. During this period they re-established civil government functions, provided humanitarian aid, and conducted search and clear missions., The "Red Devils' proved that through good leadership, they could control their fire and neutralize the enemy without collateral damage to the Panamanian people or their property. The paratrooper's hallmark in this operation was courage, compassion, tactical patience and executing the warrior ethos. , Rear Killed in Action, Sgt Michael A Deblois C CO 1/508th 20 Dec 1989, PFC Vance T Coats C CO 1/508th 20 Dec 1989, . Bronze plaque Final Inspection, The soldier stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass., "Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my Church have you been true?", The soldier squared his soldiers and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't. Because those of us who carry guns, Can't always be a saint., I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough. And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world is awfully rough., But, I never took a penny, That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime, When the bills just got too steep., And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears., I know I don't deserve a place, Among the people here. They never wanted me around, Except to calm their fears., If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand.", There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod. As the soldier waited quietly, For the judgement of his God., "Step forward now, you soldier, You've borne your burdens well. Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell." Sgt Joshua Helterbran 1/508th, 173rd ABCT.

1st Battalion (Airborne)
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
193rd Infantry Brigade
Republic of Panama

Bronze plaque
The "Red Devil" Battalion executed a helicopter air assault into Ft. Amador, Panama on 20 December 1989. The paratroopers seized the Panama Defense Forces unit and facilities through the methodical room to room clearance of enemy occupied structures.

After conducting a relief-in-place with the Rangers at the Commandancia, the "Red Devils" cleared and occupied the Chorrillo neighborhood. During this period they re-established civil government functions, provided humanitarian aid, and conducted search and clear missions.

The "Red Devils' proved that through good leadership, they could control their fire and neutralize the enemy without collateral damage to the Panamanian people or their property. The paratrooper's hallmark in this operation was courage, compassion, tactical patience and executing the warrior ethos.

Rear Killed in Action

Sgt Michael A Deblois
C CO 1/508th
20 Dec 1989

PFC Vance T Coats
C CO 1/508th
20 Dec 1989

Bronze plaque
Final Inspection

The

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soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his soldiers and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgement of his God.

"Step forward

Operation Just Cause (plaque on front) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 3, 2018

2. Operation Just Cause (plaque on front)

now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
Sgt Joshua Helterbran
1/508th, 173rd ABCT

Erected 2011.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events.

Location. 32° 23.12′ N, 84° 57.263′ W. Marker is in Fort Benning, Georgia, in Muscogee County. Memorial is on Fort Benning Road, 1.6 miles south of Matheson Road, on the right when traveling south. Located on the Walk of Honor, just to the south of the National Infantry Museum parade ground. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Fort Benning Road, Fort Benning GA 31905, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 29th Infantry Division (a few steps from this marker); Fort Benning POW Memorial (a few steps from this marker); 87th Infantry Division Monument (a few steps from this marker); Tropic Lightning Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 70th Infantry Div. (within shouting distance of this marker); 32nd Infantry Regiment Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Polar Bear Regiment Memorial (within

Area around and the rear of the monument. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 3, 2018

3. Area around and the rear of the monument.

shouting distance of this marker); 30th Infantry Division / 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Benning.

Also see . . . 1/508th Red Devils website. (Submitted on March 11, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Plaque on rear of monument. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 3, 2018

4. Plaque on rear of monument.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 511 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 11, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.