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Soldier Leads Platoon Down Dangerous Roads in Iraq
(April 11, 2009) |
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Army 1st Lt. Richard Warehime
is pinned with the Bronze Star Medal, which is
given for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious
service, just minutes before his team departs on
its next route clearance mission in Baghdad,
February 2009. |
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BAGHDAD , April 6, 2009
Hours on a route clearance
mission can lead to many inside jokes. For
soldiers of the 688th Engineer Company's 2nd
Platoon, their platoon leader provided the
ammunition.
The holder of three types of martial arts black
belts, Army 1st Lt. Richard Warehime is fondly
referred to as “happy feet” by his soldiers. And
while the soldiers joke, they also are quick to
explain why their ”LT” is one of the best.
For the past year, Warehime has successfully led
his platoon, which is attached to the 890th
Engineer Battalion, 225th Engineer Brigade, down
some of the most dangerous routes in Baghdad,
clearing them of explosives that threaten the
safety of everyone in Iraq. |
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“Every day, I wake up and consider myself
very fortunate to work with the group of people that I do,”
Warehime, a Texarkana, Texas, native, said. “What I enjoy
most is the platoon, just being around the guys.”
Along with his daily platoon leader tasks of mission
planning, intelligence gathering and overall command and
control of his soldiers, Warehime leads his soldiers from
the front by performing every duty, driving every vehicle
and completing every task involved in a route clearance
mission.
“I wanted to learn more about the vehicles and what jobs the
other soldiers do so I started driving and [troop
commanding] different vehicles,” Warehime said. “[The
knowledge] is very beneficial ... I would not ask my soldiers
to do a job that I would not do myself.”
Of his favorite vehicle, he said, “The buffalo is nice
because it is a lot more powerful to smash stuff, but I
really like the husky. It is a lot more versatile vehicle,
the most survivable vehicle and it can tow anything. It is
probably my favorite because it is so useful.”
Warehime has gained the respect and confidence of his
soldiers and command over the past year.
“He is an extraordinary, incredible officer with a ton of
talent who brought the best out of his soldiers,” Army Capt.
Marc Anderson, commander for the 688th Engineer Company,
said. “I have been impressed with him from the time we
started. Throughout the deployment, he continually
encouraged soldiers to bring ideas and concepts forward, and
that is what makes him a great leader.” | |
Article and
photo by Scott Flenner
U.S. Army
225th Engineer Brigade
Special to
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2009
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