Andrew R. Pearson

Andrew. R. Pearson

Headquarters Company

1-22 Infantry 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized)

KIA April 30, 2008

Friday, May 02 2008 @ 04:46 PM EDT

KULR-TV -- BILLINGS — A 32-year-old Army captain from Billings, who lived in Great Falls for several years,
was killed after his vehicle was hit by an explosion in Iraq, officials said.

The Department of Defense said Capt. Andrew R. Pearson, with the 4th Infantry Division from Fort Hood, Texas,
was one of two soldiers killed in Wednesday's blast from an improvised explosive device in Baghdad.

He is the 27th military service member from Montana to die so far in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,
according to the office of Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

Also killed in the Baghdad explosion was 21-year-old Spc. Ronald J. Tucker of Fountain, Colo.

Pearson was born in Wyoming, and, in 1975, moved to Great Falls as an infant with his family, said his father, Ron Pearson.
He attended Valley View Elementary, a local middle school and was a freshman at C.M. Russell High School before the family moved to Billings in 1991.

Pearson's maternal grandparents, Julian and Yvonne Kobasziar, and uncles Jack Kobasziar and Bob Wigdorski live in Great Falls.

Pearson played football growing up and "loved to hunt and fish like most Montanans," his father said.

Pearson enlisted in the Army and later earned an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy.

"We were really happy for Andrew when he made it to West Point," Ron Pearson said.
"He was pretty proud of what he was doing in the Army and worked really hard."

For the 2001 academy yearbook, Pearson chose a quote from President John F. Kennedy to accompany his photo:
"In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger.
I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it."

Married and with four children, Pearson began his third 15-month tour abroad in March,
having served an earlier tour in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He was a company commander with an infantry regiment
whose mission was to train and support Iraqi forces.

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SSG Donald Thomas said...
CPT Pearson was a great company commander. It was an honor to serve under him as a medic
in Headquarters & Headquarters Company. He was the kind of CO any Soldier could approach if there was a problem.
He was compasionate and a true leader. He will truely be missed by many. Although I never worked with SPC Tucker,
I could tell that he was dedicated to his job and very professional. I too pray for their families and ask that you do the same.
Because of these two brave Soldiers and others like them who paid the ultimate price, our Country remains free.
May God Bless their families and please continue to pray for our troops.

May 3, 2008 7:20 AM

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You were my company commander Sir, you were a good leader and an excellent officer,
most of all you were a good man, you will be missed.
We will finish the mission for you, I'll catch you on the flip side, RIP Hammer 6, Regulars by God Sir......

Bryan Lysaght (Marion, OH)

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CPT Drew Pearson Accepting the Guidon During the Change of Command for HHC/1-22 IN

From left, CPT Troy Parrish, LTC Craig Osborne, and CPT Drew Pearson
at the HHC/1-22 IN Change of Command Ceremony

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CPT Drew Pearson

It is with a solemn, but honored heart that I write this memoriam about CPT Andrew Pearson.
I am honored that I had the opportunity to work with him as his company executive officer,
as well as the opportunity to learn from him as a human being. He encompassed all the characteristics of an ideal leader.
He was tactically and technically proficient and relentless in all tasks put before him, but above all shined his undeniable dedication
towards looking out for the health and welfare of his subordinates and his family. To say that CPT Pearson was tactically and technically proficient
is an understatement. He had the unique ability to walk into any training exercise and be able to fully explain the intent of the training
and how each event related to potential real world experience. Glimpses of his enlisted days would often shine through
as he would spend countless hours on the ground explaining to even the lowest ranking Soldiers why their jobs were crucial on the battlefield.
It was not only CPT Pearson's wealth of knowledge that made him a rare Officer, it was his exceptional ability to spread his experiences.
From the lowest ranking private to the highest Lieutenant, all of us have improved as Soldiers due to the direct influence
and guidance presented by our commander. CPT Pearson's devotion to mission accomplishment and his commitment to the company
had no boundaries. His deliberate, detailed planning and execution on all tasks and missions brought a positive outlook for HHC.
Soldier's, who once felt slightly distanced from their peers, emerged as proud members of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company team.
CPT Pearson's pride and dedication towards the unit was instrumental in the company's preparation for our deployment to Iraq.
His work ethic and ability helped Soldiers grow stronger and leaders gain the strength necessary to lead troops in combat.
It was his attention to detail and guidance that molded the company into a proficient team able to accomplish all tasks at hand.
His selfless service and dedication towards leadership development will forever be embedded in the leaders who worked beneath him.
CPT Pearson constantly took an active role in identifying the personal needs of his subordinates and their families.
Long after Soldiers and most leaders were done, he would take the time to listen, mentor, and counsel key leaders
and their subordinates on personal and family issues. He constantly sacrificed his personal time for the welfare of his Soldiers and their families.
No issue was ever too small, and his door was always open. CPT Pearson will forever be remembered as a hard working, dedicated Officer,
who loved his family, his country, and his men.

1LT Hall (Hammer 5)

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