Honoring a Hero, a friend

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers of Company C, 2nd battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team gather around a memorial display to honor Staff Sgt. Mark Wall who dies of natural causes while stationed on Forward Opereating Base Marez, Mosul, Iraq.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

05.09.2006

Story by Sgt. Dennis Gravelle 

138th Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, Iraq (May 3, 2006) -- Soldiers from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team gathered at Forward Operating Base Marez, Mosul, Iraq on May 3rd to honor a hero and friend at his memorial service.

Staff Sgt. Mark Wall, 2nd Platoon, Co. C, 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt., 172nd SBCT recently passed away on FOB Marez due to natural causes.

"We are here to honor and remember one of the Legions true warriors," said Lt. Col. Charles Webster, commander, 2nd Bn, 1st Inf. Rgt, 172nd SBCT. "Staff Sgt. Wall was a hero and our friend."

After the opening prayer everyone present was asked to stand as Maj. Gen. Thomas Turner, Task Force Band of Brothers commanding general, and Webster awarded Wall the Bronze Star Medal with Valor posthumously for exceptional meritorious heroism during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His selfless service and dedication to duty in Iraq contributed to the success of the commands mission.

According to Webster, Wall was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his actions on Nov. 19, 2005 when his unit fought insurgents dug into a house. Wall distinguished himself by entering that house, engaging the enemy to the point where Soldiers could be evacuated.

"He didn't enter that house to earn a medal," said Webster. "He did it to protect and fight for his friends, his teammates, and his Soldiers and every member of his platoon."

Capt. Kent Park, company commander, 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt, 172nd SBCT said Wall never acted like a hero, but he had every right to, he was a true hero.

"Wall played a key role in the evacuation of 11 causalities," said Sgt. Ryan Potts, 2nd Platoon, CO. C, 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt., 172nd SBCT. "You are a great man and a fine Soldier, and you set the example many of us here will be pressed to follow."

Wall enlisted in the National Guard after graduating from Alden High School, Iowa in 1997. In May 2000, he transferred to the regular Army and was reassigned to 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt., at Fort Wainwright Alaska.

In Aug. 2005, Wall deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom IV.

"Staff Sgt. Wall, you are truly a hero," said Park. "The men of Charlie Company will truly miss you."

• Date Taken: 05.09.2006
• Date Posted: 05.09.2006 11:12
• Story ID: 6313
• Location: MOSUL, IQ