26 Feb 02. The U.S. Army formally named its new Interim Armored Vehicle the “Stryker” in a ceremony at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Stryker, the combat vehicle of choice for the Army’s Interim Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs), is a highly deployable-wheeled armored vehicle that combines firepower, battlefield mobility, survivability and versatility, with reduced logistics requirements.

The vehicle was named in honor of two Medal of Honor recipients: Pfc. Stuart S. Stryker, who served in World War II, and Spc. Robert F. Stryker, who served in Vietnam. The Stryker will be a primary weapons platform for the IBCTs. It will assist the IBCT in covering the near-term capabilities gap between our Legacy Force heavy and light units. The Stryker-equipped IBCT will provide the joint and multinational force commander increased operational and tactical flexibility to execute the fast-paced, distributed, non-contiguous operations envisioned across the full spectrum of conflict.

“This is a tremendous combat vehicle, and it is totally appropriate that we name it after two great soldiers who gave their last full measure of devotion on the battlefield in defense of our nation,” said the Army’s top enlisted man, Sergeant Major of the Army Jack L. Tilley, who presided at the naming ceremony.

Specialist Robert Stryker, who served with the 1st Infantry Division, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for saving the life of his fellow soldiers near Loc Ninh, Vietnam. Private First Class Stuart Stryker, who served with the 513th Parachute Infantry, posthumously received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack near Wesel, Germany that captured more than 200 enemy soldiers and freed three American pilots.

“These two great soldiers were separated by a generation and fought on battlefields on opposite sides of the globe, but both made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and their fellow soldiers,” said Tilley. “Now it’s up to all soldiers to honor the Stryker name by making full use of the enormous capabilities of the Stryker combat vehicle.”

“We are proud that the Army is honoring the bravery, heroism and self-sacrifice of Stuart Stryker,” said Ms. Gay L. Stryker of Portland, Ore. “We hope this new line of vehicles will live up to his traits of ingenuity and service to the nation.”

“My brother bravely gave his life in 1967 while defending his comrades and his unit during Vietnam,” said Mr. Jack Stryker of Auburn, N.Y. “We know that the name of Stryker is remembered for his valor and that these new vehicles will serve as a powerful reminder of the courage of American soldiers and their commitment to defend this nation.”

The Army is committed to fielding six IBCTs with more than 300 Strykers in each. In October 1999, The Army announced its first two IBCTs would be located at Ft. Lewis, Wash.: 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. These two brigades are expected to be equipped and ready for deployment during fiscal years 2003 and 2004, respectively.

The next brigades to transform, in order, are the 172nd Infantry Brigade (Separate), Fort Richardson, Alaska; the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light), Fort Polk, La.; the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and the 56th Brigade of the 28th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

Stryker is a 19-ton wheeled armored vehicle that will provide The Army a family of ten different vehicles. The Stryker can be deployed by C-130 aircraft and be combat-capable upon arrival in any contingency area. The Stryker family includes the Infantry Carrier Vehicle, Mobile Gun System, Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle, Mortar Carrier Vehicle, Reconnaissance Vehicle, Fire Support Vehicle, Engineer Squad Vehicle, Commander’s Vehicle, Medical Evacuation Vehicle, and a Nucl