1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

Courtesy Story

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq – To break the news to his mom of his intent to serve in the Army, Pfc. Tyrell Liebel of Butte, Mont., bought her lunch at Wendy's, recalled the forward observer for Company D, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade).

"She broke down crying," he said, but eventually, she acquiesced to his wishes.

His father advised, "Keep your head down."

For his work ethic, never-ending zeal and competence in aiding platoon leaders calling in artillery during the March 2009 Intensive Training Cycle at Fort Bragg, Liebel was awarded an impact Army Achievement Medal by Lt. Col. Trevor Bredenkamp, the battalion commander.

"My grandfather was the hardest-working man I've ever met," said Liebel. "He taught me that, if you want to do something in life, go after it with no regrets."

His platoon leader, 1st Lt. Michael Mueller, said the Montanan has developed and taught a call-for-fire training program and has been extremely valuable to his platoon on all of its missions.

Liebel was a competitive wrestler in elementary through high school and placed in multiple state tournaments. He credits his high school wrestling coach for teaching him the value of practice.

Liebel hopes to attend Ranger School when the 2-504 PIR "White Devils" return from a yearlong deployment in Al Anbar province, Iraq, which began in August 2009.

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