The 95th Infantry Division monument was created to honor men who fought through World War II, as well as a subsequent division that is now based in Oklahoma.The eagle on the monument is modeled after a monument located at Fort Bellecroix, France, tha...

FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 25 2015) -- Members of the 95th Infantry Foundation and the 95th Infantry Division Association came together Nov. 21 to dedicate a monument to the Iron Men of Metz and all members of the 95th Division at the National Infantry Museum Walk of Honor.

Clif Twaddle, first vice president of the 95th Infantry Division Association, said the Iron Men were a group of Soldiers whose division was formed in 1942. After training all over the United States the division went into France in 1944 and conquered the fortress city of Metz, liberating the town on Nov. 22, 1944.

"They are warmly received by the French for the great deeds they did and for their heroics in the battle," Twaddle said.

Twaddle said the monument was created to honor the men who fought through World War II, as well as the subsequent division that is based in Oklahoma today.

The monument is topped with an eagle, modeled after the monument located at Fort Bellecroix, France, that is dedicated to the Iron Men.

"It's a very important part of the monument to reflect that bond between the French and the American troops," Twaddle said.

Retired Maj. Gen. Douglas Dollar, president of the 95th Infantry Foundation and former commanding general of the 95th Division, said the foundation wanted to bring a monument to Fort Benning for years.

"This is a real success," Dollar said, and added the monument was mostly paid for with donations and was built over the course of a year in Louisiana.

Ceo Bauer, an original Iron Man of Metz with I Company, 377th Regiment, said the monument documents the history of the 95th Infantry Division.

"It's good that we finally built this monument here in the company of other military monuments," Bauer said. "Our 95th Division history and our Iron Man legend are etched in granite for others to view and know. Our 95th capture is preserved and we can feel a sense of closure. I know that's my feeling; we've done our job."

Bauer said 1,452 95th Division Soldiers lost their lives during WWII and more than 6,000 suffered casualties.

"We revere their memory. They gave all. We honor their sacrifice and that's our duty," he said.

In addition to the monument dedication, members of the 95th also held their 66th reunion at Fort Benning Nov. 20-22.

"It's good for the soul," Bauer said. "To come back and do this, it's a sense of closure."