Fort George G. Meade: The First 100 Years

286
THE FIRST 100 YEARS
the first 3 buildings were cleared is when things began
to change.
My battalion PSD had moved toward the objective
behind the route clearance package to establish link up
once called forward by the on scene commander. It was
then that we began stepping on multiple IEDs designed
to target dismounted troops inside the objective area.
The first two soldiers stepped on pressure plate IEDs
10-15 minutes apart at around 0830; one while posting
security and the other while clearing a building. These
2 IEDs would claim both soldiers’ lives and wound
several others who were nearby when the detonations
occurred. There would be no less than 15 IEDs on this
small objective before the fight was done.
It was after the 3rd IED detonation on one of my
Sergeants that I first noticed Pitt on the Objective. We
now had a 3 rd VSI with others wounded and were calling
our second MEDEVAC when up walks Pitt, cool as a
cucumber. I was surprised to see him on the road and
was comforted by his presence at a very difficult time.
But that was Pitt - right place, right time and bringing
order to any chaotic moment he met.
I walked up to Pitt and asked his advice. At that time,
I and many other soldiers had previously walked over
the ground that had been cleared and now claimed the
leg of SSG Hamilton. There was a dooming sense that
any of us could be claimed next and for me, the situation
just slowed down when I saw Pitt and became easier to
handle. Difficult to explain but if you knew him I’m
guessing you understand what I mean.
Pitt as usual gave solid advice and I gathered the
leaders together to assess our situation and adjust our
position to continue the mission. At this point is when
the light but steady contact escalated into heavy contact
by a determined enemy attacking our position from 3
sides of the objective.
I had moved in to a building with my TAC to call for
additional resources to assist the fight when I received
word that we had another casualty but this time it was
reported as a gunshot wound to the shoulder. I was
almost relieved, as I envisioned a manageable wound
after seeing soldiers cut to pieces by the IEDs earlier.
Then they reported that the “AWG Guy” was hit.
Again, I thought —no problem, Pitt is probably shaking
that off and killing Taliban. When the panicked shout
for “Medic!” rang out I knew something was wrong.
I was worried about my friend and joined Capt. Mike
Haith as we bounded across an open field to get to where
Pitt was laying.
I asked why was Pitt out here on the wall facing the
most intense fighting of the battle. And then I answered
my own question: because Pitt was a warrior, who led
by example, and was engaging the enemy fighting to the
end when he was struck by what I assess to be precision
small arms fire.
I knelt by Rob’s side as the medics superbly addressed
his wounds. Our experienced medics who had already
treated multiple trauma patients that morning risked
their lives racing to get to Pitt and treat him with
disregard for their own safety as did two other captains
from my TAC, Capt. Motupalli and McGuigan.
Everybody loved Pitt and went to great lengths to
save him under fire.
I held Pitt’s hand and offered words of encouragement
as the medics treated him. As the 9 line was called our
concern was to provide suppressive fire against the
enemy to ensure that Pitt made it out on that helicopter
without issue.
The battle truly reached its peak as the MEDEVAC
helicopter landed on the field and soldiers carried Pitt
to the bird. As I reflect back on it, it was a tremendous
rebate to our friend as we laid a wall of lead against the
enemy who was determined to shoot down a helicopter.
Pitt made it out of Bakersfield 1 with a pulse and
breathing on his own. I was shocked to learn a short
time later that Pitt didn’t make it. It didn’t make sense
to me that such a warrior and mentor to all my soldiers
could suddenly be gone.
Our battalion is a better unit due to the efforts of Rob
Pittman and we will always honor him and continue
to fight for him. The Battle for Bakersfield I was a US
/ ANA victory that struck a blow to the Taliban. Over
25 enemy fighters were killed or wounded during the
fight - a few of them no doubt to Pitt’s rifle. We now
hold the ground that Pitt fought for and it has made a
discernable positive effect in our area.
Rob Pittman did not die in vain. He died with a rifle
in his hand, engaged in combat with the enemy. He is
an American Hero who I will never forget.
We honored Rob at our battalion memorial ceremony
alongside our 2 fellow soldiers (SGT Kyle Stout and
SPC Michael Stansbery). My PA, ILT Scott Zastrow
who served in 5 Group with Pitt back in the day,
made remarks in his honor as did I and the Company
Commander, Capt. Drew Shaffer.
So now, nearly seven years after the day Robert died,
and four years since I joined AWG, and a mere three years
since the dedication ceremony, I am retired and get to have
the honor of working in the building that bears Robert's
name. I am the facility manager at Pittman Range. Every
day I come in I see the Memorial Plaque as I enter, I see
the picture of Robert on the unit memorial, which was