1st Battalion 22nd Infantry HHC Soldiers receive decorations

Raider BCT recognizes MND-B Soldiers for courage, service and loyalty under attack

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - Col. Ted Martin, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
Multi-National Division - Baghdad, pins the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device on the chest of Spc. Marcus Brown
Aug. 10 for valorous actions in the face of enemy combat. Brown, an infantry mortarman from Brooklyn, N.Y.,
assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, was also presented
the Combat Infantryman Badge for taking charge of his platoon and leading recovery and security operations for his downed vehicle
after an improvised-explosive device killed his commander, Capt. Andrew Pearson, and Spc. Ronald Tucker.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brent Williams, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - For exceptionally meritorious achievement
during Operation Iraqi Freedom, a senior leader recognized two Soldiers' heroic actions,
tremendous leadership and personal dedication during an award ceremony Aug. 10
on Forward Operating Base Falcon, located in the southern Rashid district of Baghdad.

Col. Ted Martin, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
Multi-National Division - Baghdad, presented the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device
and Combat Infantryman Badge to Spc. Marcus Brown, an infantry mortarman from Brooklyn, N.Y.
for upholding the finest traditions of the U.S. Army Infantrymen.
Martin also awarded an Army Commendation Medal with Valor device
and the Combat Field Medical Badge to Sgt. Rafael Delgado, a combat medic from Miami,
as a testament to his personal courage, selfless service and loyalty to his fellow Soldiers.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq -
Col. Ted Martin, commander of the 1st Brigade
Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division -
Baghdad, pins a Combat Infantryman Badge on the chest
of Spc. Marcus Brown Aug. 10 for valorous actions
in the face of enemy combat. Brown, an infantry mortarman
from Brooklyn, N.Y., assigned to Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion,
22nd Infantry Regiment, also was presented
the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device
for taking charge of his platoon and leading recovery
and security operations for his downed vehicle
after an improvised-explosive device killed his commander,
Capt. Andrew Pearson, and Spc. Ronald Tucker.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brent Williams,
1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

The Raider Brigade commander recognized Brown and Delgado, both assigned to Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, "Regulars by God!" of the 1st BCT,
for their courageous and selfless actions in response to an improvised-explosive device attack April 30.
"Our nation doesn't have a lot to offer all the brave Soldiers in Iraq, who are doing hard,
dangerous work every day," said Martin, an armor officer from Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
"But every once in a while, we have the ability to take a snapshot in time to capture their valorous acts
and reward them with a medal that they're going to wear for the rest of their lives," said Martin.

Signed by Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, commander, 4th Inf. Div. and MND-B, the orders narrate
the valorous actions of Brown, who served as a gunner for his commander, the late Capt. Andrew Pearson,
who was killed instantly when the explosively formed projectile struck his vehicle.
Brown, initially injured in the blast, acted quickly to open the rear escape hatch and secure the site -
and then "exhibiting total disregard for his own safety" attempted to free the driver, Spc. Ronald Tucker,
who was mortally wounded in the attack.
Brown, despite his injuries, established a security perimeter, leading a team of Soldiers
to establish overwatch of the site to prevent a second enemy attack.
"I am actually proud I got the award, and I am proud my fellow brothers were out here to support me in it,"
he said. "I am thankful that the brigade commander was able to come out here and award it to me."

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - Sgt. Rafael Delgado, a combat medic assigned to Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
Multi-National Division - Baghdad, renders a salute to the Raider Brigade Commander Col. Ted Martin,
1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., during an award ceremony Aug. 10 at Forward Operating Base Falcon.
Martin presented an Army Commendation Medal with valor device and a Combat Field Medical Badge to Delgado,
who hails from Miami, for upholding the finest traditions of a U.S. Army Combat Medic, putting his team members before himself
when his vehicle was struck by a catastrophic improvised-explosives device in April.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brent Williams, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

Delgado, the platoon medic for the mortar platoon, charged with providing security for the HHC commander,
reacted immediately to assess the damage rendered by the dual-array EFP attack.
Delgado, then a specialist, remained in the burning vehicle with complete disregard to his own safety
to provide emergency medical treatment for Tucker and to assist Brown with recovery operations.
Smoke, fire and ammunition cooking off forced Delgado and Brown to evacuate the vehicle and take cover
in nearby buildings. "It showed me that if there is one thing that I am proud of,
and if there is one thing that I am true to, and if there is one thing that I am faithful to, and will give my life for,
it is my Soldiers," Delgado said, of his actions on that day. "As a medic and now a sergeant,
it's an honor to work with these guys ... I will definitely put my life on the line for every one of these guys."

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq -
Col. Ted Martin, commander of the 1st Brigade
Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
Multi-National Division - Baghdad,
presents Sgt. Rafael Delgado, a combat medic
assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, with
an Army Commendation Medal with Valor device Aug. 10
during an award ceremony here.
Delgado, a native of Miami,
was presented the award for selfless
and valorous actions to save the lives
of fellow team members after an
improvised-explosives device struck his vehicle.
Delgado reacted immediately providing emergency
medical treatment to Soldiers in the vehicle.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brent Williams,
1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

Martin said that he is proud of the brave Soldiers who showed valor on that day in April,
when they stood up against the unknown and took charge to safeguard the rest of the platoon.
He also said that he will not forget the brave Soldiers who gave their lives for their country,
nor the actions of the proud Soldiers of the "Regulars" Battalion.
The Regulars' actions reflect distinct credit on the Raider Brigade, MND-B, and the U.S. Army, he said.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - Lt. Col. Matthew Elledge, commander, 1st Battalion,
22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division -
Baghdad, addresses the Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, "Regulars,"
following an award ceremony Aug. 10 at Forward Operating Base Falcon, located in southern Baghdad.
"What incredible Soldiers we have in this battalion," said Elledge.
"I am honored - honored to serve with each and every one of you out here making a difference."

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brent Williams, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - Col. Ted Martin, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team,
4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, addresses the Soldiers of Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 1st ,"Regulars" Battalion, 22nd Inf. Regt., during an awards ceremony Aug. 10
on Forward Operating Base Falcon. Martin presented the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device and Combat Infantryman Badge,
Army Commendation Medal with Valor device and Combat Field Medical Badge to two "Regulars" Soldiers
who proved their loyalty through selfless acts of courage and valor on the battlefield.
"That medal not only reflects what they did that day, but it reflects everything that this battalion stands for:
great Soldiers in a tough and difficult place in Iraq with a dangerous mission
doing the very best that they can," said Martin, an armor officer from Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brent Williams, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)