Ready First Soldier named 'Hero of North'

Photo By Spc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile | Pfc. Matthew Zumbrun, a Baltimore, Md., native, and a scout dismount with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Troop, 6th Battalion, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, also known as "House of Pain," was recently named the Task Force Marne "Hero of the North," for an outstanding performance during a dismounted patrol, near Kirkuk, Iraq.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

01.10.2010

Story by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq— A Fort Bliss, Texas, Soldier was recently named the Task Force Marne Hero of the North at Forward Operating Base Warrior, Iraq, after outstanding performance during a dismounted patrol.

Pfc. Matthew Zumbrun, a Baltimore, Md., native, and a scout dismount with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Troop, 6th Battalion, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division also known as "House of Pain," received this recognition from Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, the commander of Task Force Marne, when he awarded him with a coin.

Pfc. Zumbrun received a Task Force Marne Division coin for discovering a possible improvised explosive device site, near an Iraqi army compound.

I am very surprised by all the attention, when I discovered the site I was just doing my job along with the rest of "House of Pain," according to Pfc. Zumbrun.

During the patrol Pfc. Zumbrun noticed a bottle lying on the side of the road and after getting closer to the bottle he immediately smelled fuel and saw brush and rocks covering a hole, according to Pfc. Zumbrun.

After further exploration copper wires and other homemade explosive materials were found around the area, according to Pfc. Zumbrun.

The area in which the IED materials were discovered is a highly used route by the Soldiers of the Ready First Combat Team and their Iraqi army counterparts, according to Sgt. Daniel Agriesti, a Venice, Fla., native and a team leader with "House of Pain."

Everyone is very lucky Pfc. Zumbrun was alert and noticed irregularities in the area, according to Sgt. Agriesti.

I am very honored to be recognized at this level it feels very awarding, according to Pfc. Zumbrun. It shows everyone out here no matter how boring the countless patrols can be we can still make a difference and save lives while we are on them.

When asked if he had anything else he would like to say, Pfc. Zumbrun said, "Recon, House of Pain."

• Date Taken: 01.10.2010
• Date Posted: 01.11.2010 09:19
• Story ID: 43666
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ