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Cpl. Joe Roos
Minnesota National Guard
Public Affairs
Staff Sgt. Chad Malmberg of 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry seemed calm the morning of Sept. 22. His demeanor was confident and intense, but at the same time inviting. He is the type of Soldier who does not hesitate to sound off if he needs to be heard.
However, in the crowded auditorium on the second floor of the St. Paul River Centre, which was full of returning 1st Battalion, 34th Brigade Combat Team Soldiers, he stood close to whom he talked, and kept his voice low.
Malmberg looked tired, like he had not slept much, but he kept a wide-eyed, focused stare. He had been doing interviews, as well as college homework all week before reporting to the St. Paul River Centre for reintegration training, and a ceremony to honor his heroic actions during combat in Iraq. His superiors were to give him one of the military's highest honors, the Silver Star, the Army's fourth-highest decoration.
The Event
On a dry, warm Iraqi night, Jan. 27, Staff Sgt. Malmberg's 25-vehicle convoy left Baghdad International Airport at 10:32 and was forced to take a defensive position when a convoy in front of them was struck by roadside bomb.
Malmberg's convoy was about to experience a tactic the insurgency uses to ambush a convoy. Approximately 30-40 insurgents were spread far out along the southwest side of the road, with strong fighting positions behind berms and they attacked with rocket propelled grenades and machine-gun fire.
As the leader of the convoy, Malmberg's training kicked in immediately, he got communication going to tell all the vehicles in his convoy what to do, to report the situation and coordinate in fire from his units. He did all of this while dismounted from his vehicle and under fire.
Malmberg grabbed an AT-4 rocket launcher, hit the largest concentration of insurgents with a round and eliminated enemy fire from that direction. He then directed his elements to paint the targets of insurgents with infra red lasers for an air strike. The air strike was unable to take place because the insurgents got too close to the convoy. Malmberg used all of his training and leadership skills to navigate the convoy through barriers in the road and to engage the enemy.
For 40 minutes, the battle went on until Malmberg, with his convoy beginning to run low on ammo, threw a hand grenade at insurgents as they attempted to attack the rear of the convoy. He killed approximately seven more insurgents. Through the leadership in coordination and brave acts of Malmberg, and the effective execution of the men in his unit, the insurgents were defeated and the convoy made it to safety.
Back in Minnesota
Nine months later, back in St. Paul, Malmberg was gearing up for a day of reintegration training. He was the in the spotlight for the entire morning, greeting his Soldiers and everyone else that wanted to talk to him.
Before the reintegration training kicked off, the Commander-in-Chief of the Minnesota National Guard Governor Tim Pawlenty and 34th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Rick Erlandson had arrived for the ceremony to present Malmberg with his award. He shook their hands and talked with them behind the scenes before the ceremony began.
"One of the words (in the award) is gallantry. Gallantry in service. One of the definitions of that is exception courage, extraordinary courage, but Sgt. Malmberg doesn't think he's a hero," said Gov. Pawlenty.
Pawlenty was right. When it came time for Staff Sgt. Malmberg to speak, he simply approached the podium and asked all the men who were in his convoy to stand. As each individual was recognized, it was clear that Malmberg did not think he was the only hero in the convoy.
"These are the men who fought by my side on that day," said Malmberg as he leaned toward the microphone.
That was all it took for the crowd to erupt in a cheer. Once Malmberg saw that he had made clear the bond of his unit and the pride that he had for all of his Soldiers and their dedication on the day of the ambush, he simply returned to his seat.
After the ceremony, Malmberg spent time answering more questions from the media and enjoyed the company of his family, as he introduced them to Pawlenty.
When the festivities were over, it was time for Malmberg to start reintegration training. The event helping to transform the mindsets of Soldiers like Malmberg into civilians. Or, as his family calls him, Chad.
Family approached him afterward; he gave respect to his elders and joked with his peers. As his family was proud of his achievement, they were also just plain excited to see him.
"Yeah, I know, man." said Chad to one of his family members. "It's been way to long. We should go get a beer some time soon."
After the Limelight
Chad is in his senior year at Minnesota State University in Mankato. He's a Minnesota guy, doing the best he can as a citizen. He has aspirations of becoming a St. Paul police officer and continuing to help his community.
He said he's undecided about the next direction in his military career, but he has proven that he is a courageous leader who is capable of bravely confronting some of the greatest challenges. His Silver Star is a symbol of that.
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2007 12:37 |
| Story ID: | 12606 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 183 |
| Downloads: | 150 |
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