34 U.S. MARINES IN THE PERSIAN aULF, 1990.1991 MajGen William M. Keys, lefi, commanding general of the 2d Marine Division, confers with Col John B. Sylvester, U.S. Army, commander of 1st Brigade, 2d Armored Division. The "Tiger Brigade" reinforced the Division and seized the vitai road intersection chokepoint above Al Jahra on the evening of 26 November 1991. It was not the first time units of ihe two divisions had fought together 73 years earlier, the 6th Marines had reinforced the Army's 2d Division in France dunng World War L by the CentCom and MarCent staffs, Lieutenant General Yeosock, the commander for U.S. Army Forces Central Command, became concerned that MarCent might violate Tiger Brigade's unit integrity. General Yeosock therefore requested that MarCent's control be tactical rather than operational. Although these concerns were misplaced, General Schwarzkopf eventually resolved the issue by placing the brigade under General Boomer's operational control. The Beginning of Offensive Planning The force continued in its defensive mission during the reinforcement period; i.e., the protection of the critical port and oil facilities of Jubayl and Bahrain. With offensive operations nearing certainty, General Schwarzkopf ordered MarCent to be prepared to transfer defense of its sector to Saudi-controlled forces if required. On 19 December, the force received General Schwarzkopfs written concept for offensive operations. Colonel James D. Majchrzak's battle staff planning group had stayed up with the CentCom planners, and they found that it contained no surprises. The MarCent planning group had been workingFirst Page | Prev Page | Next Page | Src Image |