Blackhorse E-News — August 2026
Troopers Down
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David M. Maddox (April 5, 1938 – January 3, 2026) was a retired United States Army four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Army Europe /Commander, Central Army Group from 1992 to 1993 and Commander in Chief, United States Army Europe from 1993 to 1994. He commanded the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment from 1981 to 1983 , and h e also commanded 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment during 1976 –1977 . He is a 1960 graduate of Virginia Military Institute and received his Master of Science in Applied Science (Operations Research) from Southern Illinois University in 1969.
General Maddox spent much of his time towards the end of his career transitioning the U.S. A rmy in Europe to a post -Cold War stance. After retiring from the Army, he worked as an independent consultant to industry and the government. He also served on the Defense Science Board , as a Senior Fellow of the Army Science Board , and as a member of the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs . He also was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 2004 for contributions to making operations research an integral part of U.S. Army planning and operations at all levels.
In October 2007, General Maddox was part of a six -member panel appointed by Secretary of the Army Pete Geren that issued a report critical of the Pentagon's procedures for appointing and supervising contracting officers . He served as a member of the Department of the Army 120 -day study, commissioned by Secretary of the Army John McHugh, to examine its acquisition organizations, policies, workforce and processes, including how it acquires and handles equipment. General Maddox received the Military Operations Research Society's Wanner Award for outstanding contributions to the progress of this advanced profession and the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences' J. Steinhardt prize for lifetime contributions to the practical applications of OR techniques for the solution of military problems . He was a member of the Army Operations Research Society Hall of Fame. |
Robert Byrnes (1943 – 2025 ). Robert Charles Byrnes, Jr., 81, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly at home on November 8, 2025.
The middle of three children, he was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1943 to Nancy Shields Byrnes and Robert Charles Byrnes, Sr., who moved the family to Los Angeles until they settled in the Washington, DC area in 1955. Rob attended Bishop O'Connell High Schoo l in Arlington before studying architecture at Virginia Tech. Following his graduation from college, Rob married Patricia Rollo. He was drafted a year later by the U.S. Army and served in combat with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment before being honorably discharged from service in 1969. Rob and Patricia subsequently welcomed their daughter, Erin, and were married until 1976.
Rob later married Stephanie Cormier and welcomed two more daughters, Darcy and Madeleine, with her. A devoted father, and later grandfather, he was ever -present for all of his daughters' projects, sports, dance competitions and performances.
Professionally, he established his own architectural firm in 1979 and continued to practice until his last day, gi ven his passion for his craft.
Rob's loyalty and commitment extended beyond his family and friends to the larger communities that he served and loved. For over a decade, he volunteered to rehabilitate homes for those in need through Christmas in April/Rebuilding Together. He was also engaged with the Alexandria City Council and the school board. An advocate for underserved communities, he volunteered as a classroom tutor in the local public schools.
He and Stephanie enjoyed Irish social dance and were fou nding members of the Greater Washington Ceili Club. They were also active in the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which promotes and preserves Irish music.
Rob was preceded in death by his parents, Nancy and Robert C. Byrnes, Sr. ; brother and sister Michael Byrnes and Carol Brake ; and wife Stephanie Cormier Byrnes. He is survived by daughters Erin Byrnes (Bernd Jaehnigen), Darcy Stewart (Mark), and Madeleine Byrnes; as well as three grandsons, Liam and Niall Jaehnigen, and Mark Stewart, Jr. He will also be deeply missed by a large, extended family of Byrne s and Cormiers, and by beloved friends, who were family to him.
A memorial service w as held at Everly -Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22302 on December 5, 2025 . Contributions can be made in Rob's honor to the ACLU, Doctors Without Borders, or The Wounded Warrior Project.
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Dennis Roy Jacoba Sr. (June 4, 1946 – November 29, 2025 ) age 79, passed away on November 29 , 2025. He was born in Fort Madiso n, Iowa to the late Letha Jane Jacoba and Roy Kenneth Jacoba. Dennis lived most of his life in Council Bluffs IA.
Dennis served in the United States Army beginning in October 1968. He spent two years in Vietnam during his six years of service and worked as a wireman. He was proud of his military service and carried that commitment with him throughout his life.
Following his time in the Army, Dennis worked as a conductor with the Burlington Northern Railroad for more than twenty -five years. He was dedicated to his work and made many lifelong friends along the way. Dennis enjoyed a wide variety of music and shared that love with his children. He especially cherished taking his son and daughter to concerts and creating memories through music.
After retiring from the railroad, Dennis became a life member and core volunteer with the American Huey 369 organization. He also contributed to the founding of the National American Huey History Museum in Peru , Indiana. His work with these groups reflected his deep respect for military aviation history and his desire to help preserve it. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Adam K. Jacoba, and his wife Vicki L. Jacoba. While going through his belongings, the family found an award that described Dennis as a man remembered for his honesty and his concern for others. Those qualities stayed with him throughout his life and will be remembered by all who knew him.
Dennis is survived by his daughter, Jennifer A. Prather; and grandson, Wyatt J. Prather of Lincoln NE. He is also survived by his son, Dennis Roy Jacoba Jr. of Omaha NE; his brother Lyman R. Jacoba and wife Patti of Council Bluffs IA, as well as their chil dren, and his brother Steven R. Jacoba of Omaha NE. |
Earl Franklin Moore Jr. (August 11, 1941 – December 3, 2025 ). CW4 (Ret.) Earl “Buddy ” Franklin Moore Jr., 84, of Manhattan, K ansas passed away on December 3, 2025, after a short illness.
Earl was born in Essex, MD on August 11, 1941, to Earl F. Moore Sr. and Climenia N. Moore (nee Brawner). He joined the US Army in 1961 serving in the Infantry and later as an Air Cavalry Scout pilot with the 11th ACR during Vietnam. He continued serving as helicopter pilot until he retired in 1991 after 30 years of service.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Agnes “Nan” Moore, and brothers Raymond C. Moore and Bruce A. Moore. He is survived by his wife, Christine S. Moore, daughters Sarah (George) Padgett and Erin Moore , and sons Kevin (Erica Graham) Moore and Bryan Moore. Known to his grandchildren as Grampy Bud, he is also survived by Olivia, Maddie and Lily Padgett, Wyatt Moore and Ryder English, Alex and Angelina Hogeland and Kayleigh and Makenzie Moore. He is also survived by sisters Joyce Serio and Nan (Doug) Giza, as well as multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.
In keeping with Earl's wishes, no funeral or memorial will be held. The family will hold a private inurnment at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Fort Riley.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the 11th Armored Cavalry “Blackhorse ” Regiment scholarship fund in Earl's memory. https://blackhorse.org/donate/ |
SGT Wesley C. Burk passed away on December 10, 2025 at home. He was assigned with the Air Cav Troop, 11th ACR, Blackhorse, (Vietnam) 4/1/69 – 3/31/71. Please keep Marlene in your prayers as she navigates through this difficult time. (We will provide more information if and when it’s available .) |
Blackhorse History Corner |
In response to continued cross -border incursions by bandits along the Mexican border, the Secretary of War ordered a large contingent of Regular Army forces to Fort Sam Houston in the Spring of 1911. This included the entire 11th Cavalry Regiment then stationed at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Within 30 days of arriving at the so -called camp of instruction , the Regiment was raised to its wartime strength and provided horses for every Trooper. The following article describes the results of a month's worth of hard training under the hot Texas sun.
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Ojos Azules On May 5, 1916, the 11th Cavalry Regiment conducted the last mounted charge in the history of the United States Cavalry at the Ojos Azules ranch in Mexico. Private William Seay, a Trooper in D Troop, 1st Squadron, wrote a letter to his parents in Jacksonville, Flor ida, describing the action — and slightly exaggerating the number of casualties. His hometown newspaper published the letter in July. |
No, not that canteen. This canteen is the precursor to the Servicemen's & Women's' Club. Around 1909 -1910, the Congress — under pressure from religious and local business organizations — banned the on -post canteen. This was the only place the 11th Cavalry Troopers stationed at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia (and other posts across the country) could go to buy a glass of beer. Cost - a nickel. Father George Waring, the Blackhorse Regimental Chap lain, was quoted in newspapers nationwide as being opposed to the closing of the canteen. This article from August 1910 includes a quote from Chaplain Waring.
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With war clouds gathering in both Europe and Asia, the US Army conducted a number of war games in the Continental United States in the late 1930s and early 1940s. These photos show the 1 1th Cavalry, then stationed at the Presidio of Monterey, participating in war games in June 1938. |
This One from 1932 Needs no Explanation |
In 1918, the Regimental Headquarters, Band, and 1st Squadron were stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia. This poignant note was posted by Trooper Nick MaGuire's Grandmother four years after his death. |
The 2025 Blackhorse Cavalry Marathon! |
The Blackhorse Cavalry Marathon is a historic event established in 1977 by Col. Robert J. Sunell (48th RCO) and named the “Cavalry Marathon ” (CM) in Fulda, Germany. Running was a very popular sport in the 1970s, and MG Sunell, a powerful runner, intended to unite the local community and the Blackhorse Troopers by creating the event, which started as a half -marathon and later evolved into a full 26.2 -mile marathon. The Regiment conducts (and the Blackhorse Association sponsors ) the Cavalry Marathon, keeping MG Sunell’s spirit and legacy alive. The marathon has grown to include several family-friendly events.
Additionally, Blackhorse Association Board Member for Marathons Dan Newcome added the Norwegian Foot March (NFM) for the first time this year ; it proved to be hugely popular. Dan demonstrated the Ca valry spirit and, at 58, he competed in the NFM earning his medal. Dan will be the Blackhorse Association ’s lead again for the Marathon next year, and planning has begun already.
This year, the following events were conducted on December 6 at zero-dark-thirty: Marathon (26.2 ); 23 participants Half-marathon (13.1 miles) ; 36 participants Norwegian Foot March (18.64 miles, 24.5 lb. pack ); 238 starte d/165 completed 5K Run; 40 participants
1K Kiddie Run; 49 participants
The Cavalry Marathon would not be complete without a BBQ at the completion. The BBQ was sponsored by the Blackhorse Association and funded through the generosity of the Stephens Family in honor of their father, CSM John Stephens, who was the Regimental Command Sergeant Major in 1977 and helped launch the first Ca valry Marathon in Fulda. The Stephens family paid all the costs of the BBQ on be half of the runners, marchers, Blackhorse Troopers, and their families. SMOKE, as RCSM Stephens was known, would approve.
The government shutdown crimped the marathon planning and prompted the BHA to ask its members for donations. The following answered the call and generously donated to the cause: Brian J. Butcher
Alfred Bartlett
Ken Masten
Paul Gissible
Brian Moore
Art Cody
Stewart McGregor
Timothy Ferguson
Mick Mineni
Mike Sexton
Rich Brown
Frank P. Shray
Jim Payne
John Baer
Dennis Kelemen
Bob Garrott
John Hooten
The Stephens Family donation made it possible for the above contributions to be used to support the Scholarship Fund, as they were no longer needed for the BBQ. We recognize these Troopers for answering the call and ultimately helping our core mission, which was born of a promise made by then -Colonel George S. Patton to a dying L Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment trooper on March 2, 1969, on a battlefield in Vietn am. The vow was to “not let people forget us ” and “take care of our kids .”
Our Board Member Dan Newcome was asked to play Santa for the Regiment's Christmas Lighting of the Tanks around the B lackhorse Memorial (please donate if you can), and what a fine and jolly Santa he was.
The BHA Board was well represented on the ground for the weekend’s events by Starling Cooper (VP -Engagement), Bob Hatcher (Director of Operations), Dan Newcome (Marathon Director), and Bobby Bell (Marketing).
Board Members met and greeted many young Troopers and family members, reminding them of who we are, what we do, and how to join. On Friday, Starling Cooper and Bobby Bell were taking a lunch break and sharing a pizza . Sitting at the table next to them was MSG Harrel and his wife, parents of Olivia Harrel . Olivia received the BG John Sherman Crow Scholarship for 2025 -2026 ; she is currently attending college.
We wish to offer our thanks to all the volunteers that made th e marathon happen this year. Special Thanks to the serving Blackhorse Troopers who supported the marathon , for without their help it could not be done. Also, we must recognize the prime movers for this year ’s Marathon : Colonel Kevin Black, LTC Phillips, Captain Kevin Lee, and 1 LT Cameryn Smith ; their dedication was outstanding while pulling off this mighty undertaking.
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Do you have items of interest that are related to the Blackhorse? Please send them to Clint Ancker, Director of Communications, at band...@aol.com. |
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