House Concurrent Resolution 112

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE VALIANT SERVICE RENDERED TO THE UNITED STATES ARMY BY MASTER SERGEANT THEODORE C. "TED" MUNTER DURING THE COURSE OF HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON BEING AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR WITH VALOR.

WHEREAS, during his 17 years as a member of the United States Army, Master Sergeant Theodore C. "Ted" Munter has spent the last 12 years distinguishing himself by gallantry in action and exceptional meritorious achievement as Detachment Operations Sergeant for Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha 021 from September 11, 2007, to May 1, 2008; and

WHEREAS, initially deployed as one of the first US NATO SOTF (Special Operation Task Force) elements into Afghanistan, Master Sergeant Munter was prepared to conduct operations in support of the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) and RC-C (Regional Command-Capital), and through his leadership, was quick to establish relations and build rapport with RC-C leadership, the Afghanistan National Directorate of Security and additional United States agencies; and

WHEREAS, upon receiving operational redirection, Master Sergeant Munter relocated Operational Detachment-Alpha 021 to Firebase Pathfinder in the Tagab Valley in eastern Afghanistan to immediately provide a safe and secure environment through his professionalism, expertise and leadership, which enabled Operational Detachment-Alpha 021 to synch into operation in one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan from October 2007 to November 2007; and

WHEREAS, on November 10, 2007, Master Sergeant Munter's detachment was aiding in the support of several other battalions in a mission in the surrounding area, when the patrol was ambushed and it was discovered at the firefighting's end that his vehicle had taken a direct hit and that all three passengers were severely wounded; and

WHEREAS, despite losing sight in his right eye, suffering a fractured neck, and loss of the use in his right arm, Master Sergeant Munter quickly regained his composure and began trying to re-establish communications with the rest of the patrol, and after several unsuccessful attempts to signal their location to the rest of the convoy using every asset available, he made the decision to dismount with his injured gunner-teammate, to move across nearly 200 meters of open farm fields back to the wadi to locate the patrol; and

WHEREAS, after locating the rest of the patrol and subsequently placing the wounded teammate inside a nearby detachment vehicle, Master Sergeant Munter gathered two detachment Special Forces Medical Sergeants and a Joint Terminal Aircraft Controller to move back to his disabled vehicle to begin working on his critically wounded driver, Staff Sergeant Kutschbach, even suffering another devastating gunshot wound to the right bicep and tricep, but determined not to give up, ignored his wounds and continued to lead his medics back to the aid of Kutschbach; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Munter continued to refuse medical treatment as he instructed his medical sergeants to continue treating Kutschbach, and refused to be air lifted by MEDEVAC until his teammate reached Firebase Pathfinder, before he was ordered by the Ground Force Commander and physically forced to load the MEDEVAC aircraft; and

WHEREAS, during his recovery, Operational Detachment-Alpha 021 was involved in more than 30 combat operations rendering insurgent activity in the Tagab Valley a decisive defeat, serving as a true testament to the type of leader Master Sergeant Munter is, as well as the training, attitude and confidence Master Sergeant Munter instilled in his soldiers on a daily basis and remained evident in the morale of his squad following his evacuation; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Munter returned to the battlefield in February 2008 where he led from the front and selflessly applied his leadership where required on the battlefield, establishing and developing effective personal relationships and human infrastructure support with NATO and other diplomatic alliances; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Munter is unequivocally the foundation of Operational Detachment-Alpha 021, wherein his experience, patience and mentoring have been essential to the establishment of the first United States NATO SOTF within two Regional Commands in ISAF; and

WHEREAS, his warrior spirit and determination to accomplish the mission, despite being severely wounded and subsequently returning to the field of battle serves as an inspiration to his Operational Detachment-Alpha 021 Company and to others with him; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the bravery and patriotism of such servicemen as Master Sergeant Munter, whose gallantry in action, and total disregard for his own personal safety while under intense enemy fire is the epitome of a loyal allegiance to the cause and call of one's country and is deserving of each merit bestowed:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend the valiant service rendered to the United States Army by Master Sergeant Theodore C. "Ted" Munter during the course of his distinguished career, congratulate him upon being awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, and extend best wishes for continued success, safety and support in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Master Sergeant Munter, the United States Department of Defense and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.