FORT HOOD, Texas - Major General Daniel Allyn assumed authority of the 1st Cavalry Division from outgoing division commander Maj. Gen. (Promotable) Daniel Bolger during the 1st Cavalry Division's Change of Command Ceremony April 8, here, at Fort Hood's Cooper Field.
Allyn, of Berwick, Md., graduated from the United States Military Academy and comes to the 1st Cav. Div. from the XVIII Airborne Corps, where he served as the deputy commanding general. Maj. Gen. Allyn has also served numerous deployments overseas with the 75th Ranger Regiment, and as the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) commander during a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"It is my humble honor today to join the 'First Team' and to serve with the Soldiers of this legendary 1st Cavalry Division," Allyn remarked during the ceremony. "To paraphrase [General Creighton Abrams;] serving in the [First Cavalry Division] makes the world's finest Soldiers and leaders even better. We will uphold that tradition," he added.
Allyn takes command of the First Team as the division prepares to welcome home its 1st Air Cavalry Brigade from Iraq later this month. The homecoming will be short lived however as the division's 4th Brigade Combat Team prepares for another deployment later this year.
"For those units that have found themselves redeployed back to Fort Hood it is very important that we reestablish some balance in our lives, take time for ourselves and our families. But we must also look forward to the missions that our Army has for us and be prepared to answer those calls, and accomplish those missions our country will ask of us," said Allyn.
The ceremony was not only a chance to welcome the newest division commander to the helm but, also an opportunity to acknowledge the end of Maj. Gen. (P) Daniel Bolger's tenure as commander of "America's First Team".
Bolger, who led the troopers of the 1st Cav. Div. since 2008 and throughout their most recent deployment to Baghdad, Iraq in January 2009, leaves the division for the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. where he will receive his third star and serve as the Army's deputy chief of staff for operations.
"The president can make a general in five minutes, but only the men and women on this field, the commissioned officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, the specialists and the privates; only you can make a cavalry trooper. The greatest honor in my life has been to ride with you, to march with you and to stand in honor beside you. You all are and always will be America's First Team. Thank you," said Bolger.
Maj. Gen. Allyn is accompanied to his newest command by his wife Debbie, and children Danielle and Joshua. The commander's awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion Of Merit, Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary medal (with Arrowhead), Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Combat Infantryman Badge (with Star), Master Parachutist Badge (with Bronze Star), ranger Tab, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification badge.