Brigadier General Muthafer Receives the Order of Saint Maurice

Photo By Staff Sgt. Brian Speach | Dahauk, Iraq, Brigadier General Muthafer Receives the Order of Saint Maurice from Lieutenant Colonel Webster.  

DOHUK, IRAQ

06.05.2006

Courtesy Story

345th Public Affairs Detachment

Dahuk, Iraq, (May 30, 2006) "Brigadier General Muthafer Tahir Al-Morori received the Order of Saint Maurice during a ceremony in Dahuk, Iraq, May 30.

Muthafer has been instrumental in the war on terrorism in Northern Iraq as the commander Iraqi Army's Fourth Brigade.

Muthafer is retiring from the IA with several years of service, the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team wanted to honor him for his dedication to democracy.

"I leave my post with mixed emotions," said Muthafer "There is more work to be done in Mosul, but there are other areas in Dahuk in need of my attention. The Iraqi Army is standing strong and you will see Mosul be as safe as Dahuk in the near future."

Although Operation Iraqi Freedom began in 2003, Muthafer has been fighting for freedom all of his life. Muthafer is a member of the Peshmerga located in the providence of Dahuk in northern Iraq. They began there quest for freedom from Saddam in the late 70s.

It was not until Operation Dessert Storm that there work would start showing success. After the IA was defeated in Kuwait and the no fly zone was instituted, the Kurdish Army was able to drive Saddam out of Kurdistan.
"The infantry is here to honor a man of great honor and integrity," said Lt. Col. Charles Webster, commander, 2nd Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment, 172nd SBCT.

"We are here to present Brigadier General Muthafer the order of Saint Maurice. Saint Maurice is the patron saint of the Infantry."

"I am truly honored to receive this award," said Muthafer. "During my tenure as commander of Fourth Brigade, I was surrounded by some of the finest officers of the coalition forces."

Muthafer said that Lt. Col. Webster and his staff along with Col. Michael Shields, commander, 172nd SBCT, enabled me to make the contacts I needed to establish the Iraqi Army in Mosul.

"There are two things about me that will never change," said Muthafer. "I am a man of my word, and any army that I fight along side of, I will be loyal to for the rest of my life."

• Date Taken: 06.05.2006
• Date Posted: 06.05.2006 11:11
• Story ID: 6660
• Location: DOHUK, IQ