Photo By Spc. Karla Elliott | Gen. David Petraeus prepares to award his coin to Spc. David Nielsen, with 552...... read more read more
By Spc. Karla P RodriguezMaciel
11th Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq- Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general of Multi-National Force-Iraq, paid a visit to Mosul, Iraq, June 28. While his initial reason to visit Mosul was to attend a periodic operations update brief. However, the commander had ulterior motivates as well.
Petraeus took the time to personally award a hand full of commander's coins of excellence, to 18 deserving service members stationed at Forward Operating Base Marez and Diamondback. He remembered the first time he served in Iraq, April 22, 2003, he was honored to return to award the service members supporting the Mosul area.
Petraeus addressed the formation of eager service members.
"Today, the honor is to give you my coin, with my thanks...which reads; 'not just for excellence, but for excellence in combat,' because that is what you have all demonstrated."
The awarded group included Spc. David Nielsen, with 552nd Military Police Company, 728th MP Battalion out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Staff Sgt. Trent Parker, with 232nd Company, 94th Bn., 1st Engineer Brigade, and Sgt. 1st Class Kirk Chambers, with 3rd Bn., 7th Bde., 2nd Division Iraqi army military transition team.
"It was a neat experience," said Salt Lake City native Nielsen. "It shows that he cares what we're doing as Soldiers."
According to Nielsen's chain of command, he is a highly motivated Soldier who is always the first to volunteer and to work the longest hours; whether it is helping to improve Iraqi police stations or maintaining his own vehicle.
Another Soldier who received a coin from Petraeus, Parker, from Lock Haven, Pa., stepped up to take the leading role in the construction of nine combat out-posts. Having received two of the general's coins during the first Operation Iraqi Freedom, he feels honored to know, he is still doing good things.
Chambers, a native of Palmetto, La., received the coin because of his work with the Iraqi army battalion. He has worked tirelessly to keep the team sustained through several operational moves throughout the team's six months tenure.
"This is a first time experience for me, but it is good to see all the younger guys get recognized for their great work out here," Chambers said.
Petraeus awarded one U.S. Navy officer, one U.S. Air Force non-commissioned officer and 16 U.S. Army Soldiers, ranking from Pfc. to Sgt. 1st Class.
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.29.2008 05:18 |
| Story ID: | 20974 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 293 |
| Downloads: | 250 |
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