“This medal is too big for us. … This medal represents every individual who has ever worn a uniform. … It represents our nation, our flag, who we are, freedom.”
— Retired Capt. Florent Groberg
Retired Capt. Florent Groberg presents his Medal of Honor to Maj. Gen. Randy A. George, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, during a Medal of Honor donation ceremony at the division headquarters Dec. 7, 2017. Groberg and former Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha donated their Medals of Honor to the 4th Infantry Division. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
By Master Sgt. Casey Nelsen
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
Two of the 4th Infantry Division’s finest Soldiers donated their Medals of Honor to the division during a ceremony Dec. 7, 2017, to coincide with the unit’s centennial three days later.
The military’s highest award for valor was presented to former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha and Retired Capt. Florent Groberg during ceremonies at the White House Feb. 11, 2013, and Nov. 12, 2015, respectively.
Groberg and Romesha decided to give their medals to the division after being inspired by fellow Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, who donated his medal to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in July 2017.
“It is our great honor. It is the greatest honor in the world to be here amongst all of you, to return the medal to its home,” Groberg said during the ceremony held at the division’s headquarters.
Maj. Gen. Randy A. George, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, accepted Groberg’s medal and Division Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy L. Metheny accepted Romesha’s medal, which Groberg presented on behalf of Romesha, who was unable to attend the ceremony because of an ill Family member.
Maj. Gen. Randy A. George, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, renders honors at the Medal of Honor wall in the division headquarters building after receiving two Medals of Honor on behalf of the division Dec. 7, 2017. Retired Capt. Florent Groberg and former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha donated their Medals of Honor to the 4th Inf. Div. during a ceremony held at the division headquarters. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
“These medals represent a tangible piece of our past, and the stories we will tell of Clint’s and Flo’s courage and selflessness under unimaginable conditions, will inspire, encourage, even demand, current and future generations of ‘Ivy’ Soldiers to work hard and prepare so that they, too, will always be ready to answer our nation’s call no matter where, no matter when,” said George.
Romesha received the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving as a section leader with Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., during combat operations against an armed enemy at Combat Outpost Keating, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2009. On that morning an estimated 300 enemy fighters attacked the outpost from all sides using recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft machine guns, mortars and small arms fire. Romesha is the fourth living recipient to be awarded the medal for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan, and the first living recipient from the 4th Inf. Div.
Groberg received the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving as the brigade personal security detachment commander for 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012. He approached a suspicious individual to detain him and noticed a bomb under the man’s clothing. Joined by Sgt. Andrew Mahoney, Groberg pushed the man to the ground and the bomb exploded. Seriously injured, Groberg later medically retired from the Army. He is the 10th living recipient to be awarded the medal for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan, and the third living recipient assigned to the 4th Inf. Div.
For both men, the medal is symbolic of sacrifice and represents the Soldiers they served with who lost their lives. Eight Soldiers died at COP Keating, Oct. 3, 2009. Three Soldiers and one U.S. Agency for International Development employee were killed when the suicide bomber’s vest detonated Aug. 8, 2012.
Retired Capt. Florent Groberg
“This medal is too big for us. It doesn’t represent us as individuals, it’s impossible,” said Groberg. “This medal represents every individual who has ever worn a uniform. It represents every individual who has ever supported the military. It represents our nation, our flag, who we are, freedom.”
Groberg also noted the sacrifices made by service members’ Families.
“That is the hardest job in the world … to be a Family member of someone who is downrange because you cannot control their fate. You just have to pray and keep hope,” said Groberg.
The medals are on display in the 4th Inf. Div. headquarters along with photos and citations of the division’s 25 Medal of Honor recipients dating back to World War I.
Retired Capt. Florent Groberg and former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha donated their Medals of Honor to the 4th Infantry Division during a ceremony Dec. 7, 2017, at the division headquarters. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)