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Oregon Army National Guard Platoon Receives Presidential Unit Citation
(January 15, 2011) |
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| | CORVALLIS, Ore. – Almost seven years after an intense firefight during
the Battle of Fallujah, in Iraq, 30 soldiers of the Oregon Army National
Guard were recognized with the Presidential Unit Citation, during a
ceremony at the Corvallis Armory, Jan. 8. |
Oregon Army National Guard soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Bravo
Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, of the 41 Infantry
Brigade Combat Team, received the Presidential Unit Citation—one of the
highest awards given to a military unit—for their heroic actions during
the Battle of Fallujah, Nov. 3 to Nov. 24, 2004.
The soldiers were attached to the U.S. Army's 2nd
Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, with guidance from the 1st Regimental
Combat Team, 1st Marine Division at the time. The soldiers from 2nd
Platoon were selected to lead the way into the Jolan District of
Northwest Fallujah during some of the heaviest fighting of the Iraq war.
Oregon Attorney General and former active duty Marine, John Kroger,
also spoke at the event. He said he was impressed that a National Guard
unit led the way with such competence and ability. |
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Members of Oregon Army National Guard's 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, of the 41 Infantry Brigade Combat Team, gather for a group photo after receiving the Presidential Unit Citation at the Corvallis Armory, Jan. 8. The award was bestowed on 30 soldiers for their participation in the Battle of Fallujah while the 2-162 IN BN was deployed to Iraq in 2004. The unit was attached to 2nd Battalion; 7th Cavalry Regiment. The Oregon soldiers saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Iraq War. The Presidential Unit Citation is one of the highest awards given to a military unit. |
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Bravo
Company's participation in the battle was also documented in one chapter
of John Bruning's book, The Devil's Sandbox. The book chronicled the
2-162 IN BN's participation in the Iraq War.
Maj. Gen. Raymond F.
Rees, The Adjutant General, Oregon, said he was never more proud to be a
member of the Oregon Army National Guard, as he spoke to a large
audience of soldiers, family, friends and the media.
“These are your
hometown heroes,” Rees said. “When our founding fathers wrote the
Constitution and talked about defense of this nation, this is what they
were talking about.”
Oregon Rep. Kurt Schrader issued a statement
into Congressional record, which was also read at the ceremony. The
statement said, “The unit's rapid penetration deep into the city
overwhelmed enemy positions, leading the way for further exploitation by
the Marines.”
The company carries a proud tradition, and as a
unit, still have the best riflemen in the Army, said Sgt. Keith Dow.
“Good leadership is what we had and still have,” said Dow, who is
still a member of 2nd Platoon. “New soldiers are being taught they need
to live up to a standard that has been set.”
The 30 soldiers who
were honored in the ceremony will be allowed to wear the award for the
rest of their life. Other members of the platoon can wear the award only
while serving as a member of the unit.
Cadet Matthew Zedwick, a
former Staff Sgt. in 2nd Platoon, attributed the award to brotherhood
and camaraderie. He said the award is recognition for a very deserving
group.
“The Presidential Unit Citation is huge and this platoon
is so deserving of the award,” Zedwick said. “I will never find a group
with that kind of discipline. We sacrificed and it feels good to be
honored.”
Schrader said nearly 9,000 citizen soldiers have served
in combat and counter-terrorism operations since Sept. 11, 2001. He
added that every one of them have repeatedly demonstrated their
dedication to their country.
The Presidential Unit Citation shows
the men from 2nd Platoon not only served, but did so to the highest
military standard, he said. | |
Article and photo by Army Spc. Cory Grogan
41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2011
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