Operation Baton Rouge is also referred to as the Battle of Samarra. October 1–3, 2004.  In the run up to the January 2005 Iraqi election, the Iraqi Interim Government and the Coalition began a campaign to clear Samarra and Fallujah of JTJ and other insurgent’s control, thereby ending the violence towards security forces and civilians and securing the election. US and Iraqi forces liberated Samarra after 3 days of fighting, resulting in 127 terrorists and other insurgents killed with a further 60 wounded and 128 captured, Coalition forces lost 1 killed and 8 wounded.

• For more information, see Battle of Samarra.
• Read the personal experience paper titled Operation Baton Rouge by Sergeant Major Luis A. Rivera, USASMA Class 57.