Published: September 27, 2008
Infantryman Exemplifies 'Follow Me!' Motto, Accepts Added Responsibility
2nd Bn., 30th Inf. Regt. 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (L), MND-B
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq - U.S. Soldiers in combat stepping up and assuming leadership roles beyond their rank is nothing new. Initiative and the willingness to accept greater responsibility are hallmarks of American foot Soldiers embodied in the infantry motto, "Follow Me!"
As an infantryman assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, Sgt. Matthew Puttman has upheld this proud tradition through undergoing the transition from team leader to squad leader twice during the "Wild Boars" deployment supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09. After his first squad leader redeployed early to deal with Family concerns, the Terre Haute, Ind., native stepped up to the plate on a temporary basis.
"During Puttman's first stint as squad leader, there's no question that he demonstrated the maturity and proficiency required to not only lead a squad into combat but also to excel," commented 1st Lt. Brandon Trama, platoon leader of 3rd Platoon from Colchester, Conn, adding that among other company personnel moves, Puttman returned to his fire team.
When Puttman's second squad leader was sent home after suffering a noncombat injury, he stepped back into the role of squad leader, this time permanently. Puttman has distinguished himself both inside and outside the wire since taking over as 1st Squad leader in July and was responsible for creating the Chaos Company Ironman Challenge, a grueling test of Soldiers' strength, speed and endurance that boosted esprit de corps, explained Trama.
Sgt. Matthew Puttman (left), an infantryman from Terre Haute, Ind., inspects Spc. Jeffrey Zabawa's weapon in their barracks. Both Soldiers are assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, and Zabawa is a Metamora, Mich. native.(U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Brandon Trama, 2nd Bn., 30th Inf. Regt., 4 BCT, 10th Mtn. Div., MND-B)
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Puttman has directly and unmistakably contributed to platoon and company tactical successes. During a company-level raid with multiple urban objectives, he was responsible for leading 1st Squad in breaching and clearing a house that an active member of a dangerous insurgent improvised explosive device cell occupied. The squad rapidly entered the house and detained the criminal - a feat which Trama attributes, in large part, to Puttman's tactical proficiency.
"I'm extremely proud of the guys' performance," commented Puttman, quickly crediting his Soldiers for the squad's success, "They maintained absolute control over our objective."
However, his biggest contribution as a squad leader comes in the form of developing his subordinates, both as Soldiers and as citizens. From mentoring Soldiers in marksmanship to helping complete absentee ballot request forms for the upcoming election, Puttman demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the growth and well-being of his Soldiers.
"Sgt. Puttman has really taken me a long way and taught me a lot," said Pfc. Matthew Lilly, a member of Puttman's squad and a Cincinnati native. "He stood up for me when a lot of other people wouldn't give me a chance."
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