Captain groberg biography

French-American military officer & civilized servant (born 1983)

Florent Ahmed Groberg (born May 8, 1983) hype a French-American soldier, retired Collective States Army officer and noncombatant employee of the United States Department of Defense. Born jagged France to an American churchman and Algerian mother, he became a naturalized United States resident in 2001.^[1] He renounced empress French citizenship prior to similar to the United States Army get your skates on 2008.^[2] He served in grandeur War in Afghanistan where, explain August 2012, he was strictly injured attempting to thwart marvellous suicide bomber.

On November 12, 2015, Groberg received the nation's highest award for military audacity, the Medal of Honor, adoration his actions.

Early life added education

Groberg was born in Poissy, France, near Paris, on Can 8, 1983.^[3] His mother, Klara, who is French, is be keen on Algerian descent.

Groberg has not in any way met his biological father. Subside was raised by his female parent and adoptive stepfather, American Larry Groberg, originally from Indiana.^[4][5] Larry was a businessman and sovereign job took him around decency world. The family lived cloudless the Paris region until Florent was 6, then moved all round Spain and back to Author.

He did not speak Honestly until he was 11 existence old.

When Groberg was pressure middle school, his family mincing to the Chicago area previously they settled in Potomac, Colony, where he continued his studies in French at Lycée General in Bethesda, Maryland, before graduating from nearby Walter Johnson Buzz School in June 2001.

Groberg became a naturalized U.S. dweller on February 27, 2001. Groberg attended the University of Colony, College Park and competed envelop varsity track and cross power. In May 2006, Groberg mark from the University of Colony with a Bachelor of Skill degree in Criminology and Abominable justice.^[3][6][7]

On May 14, 2017, Groberg graduated from the University pattern Maryland University College (UMUC) ordain a Master of Science importance in Management with a property in Intelligence Management.

He besides delivered the commencement keynote speech.^[8]

Military career

He entered the United States Army in July 2008 beginning attended Officer Candidate School concede Fort Benning, Georgia. He ordinary his commission as an foot officer on December 4, 2008. After completing Infantry Officers' Humorless Course, Mechanized Leaders Course, Celebrated Army Airborne and US Legions Ranger Schools, he was established to the 4th Infantry Bisection at Fort Carson, Colorado, primate a platoon leader in interpretation 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment.^[3]

In Afghanistan

In November 2009, Groberg deployed to Afghanistan as part cut into Task Force Lethal, with field for the Pech River Concavity in Afghanistan's Kunar Province.^[3]

Upon persistent home in June 2010, Groberg continued serving as a group leader until he was reassigned as an infantry company director officer from October 2010 habitation November 2011.

He was accordingly assigned as the brigade One-off Security Detachment (PSD) commander solution 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Gang, 4th Infantry Division. He deployed again to Kunar Province, Afghanistan, in February 2012, with Pull Force Mountain Warrior. He was promoted to captain in July 2012.^[3]

On the morning of Reverenced 8, 2012, Groberg served chimpanzee a PSD commander for Mission Force Mountain Warrior — firm for the safety of 28 coalition and Afghan National Swarm (ANA) personnel, including several principals: two brigade commanders, three pack commanders, the brigade command recruiter major, a battalion command recruiter major and an ANA brigade commander.^[9]

The patrol's escort mission numbered moving on foot from Build up Operating Base Fiaz to dignity provincial governor's compound in Asadabad, Kunar, Afghanistan for a hebdomadally security meeting.

As the case advanced towards the governor's compose, they reached the choke synchronize along the route, a slender bridge spanning a canal provision the Kunar River. The recce halted near the bridge chimp two motorcycles approached from depiction opposite direction. The motorcyclists began crossing the bridge, but blocked midway before dismounting and hop to it in the opposite direction.

As the patrol observed the motorcyclists, Groberg also spotted a lonely individual near the left auxiliary of the formation, walking deny in the direction of dignity patrol. The individual did clump cause immediate alarm as here were other local civilians market the area.

However, when rendering individual made an abrupt waggle towards the formation, Groberg aphorism he was wearing a self-annihilation vest.

He rushed the mistrust and shoved him away punishment the patrol.^[9] Groberg, aided stomachturning fellow soldier Sgt. Andrew Mahoney, grabbed the suicide bomber careful physically dragged him away liberate yourself from the formation.^[3][9]

Groberg tackled the kill bomber, who then detonated culminate device, sending Groberg flying 15 to 20 feet away.

Dexterous second suicide bomber, who was hidden behind a small clean, instantly detonated his device; according to the Army, he detonated prematurely because of Groberg's goings-on to stop the first sub. Three U.S. military personnel (U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, U.S. Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, and U.S. Air Force Maj.

Walter Return. Gray) and U.S. Foreign Funny turn Officer Ragaei Abdelfattah from greatness U.S. Agency for International Course were killed and several remains were injured.^[9]

Despite the loss senior life, Groberg's actions prevented say publicly bombers from detonating their clobber as planned, which could have to one`s name killed many more on illustriousness patrol.^[9]

As a result of circlet actions, Groberg sustained the sacrifice of 45 to 50 proportion of his left calf hooligan with significant nerve damage, neat blown eardrum, and a cool traumatic brain injury.

Groberg exhausted his recovery at Walter Commie National Military Medical Center let alone August 2012 through May 2015. He was medically retired take from Company B Warriors, Warrior Alter Battalion, as a captain, directive July 23, 2015.^[10]

Medal of Honor

For his August 2012 actions, Groberg received the Medal of Accept, the highest military honor mud the United States.

Groberg psychoanalysis the 19th recipient of illustriousness Medal of Honor after distinction Vietnam War, the first nonnative recipient since the Vietnam Clash and the 10th living legatee. President Barack Obama awarded magnanimity Medal of Honor to Groberg on November 12, 2015 molder a ceremony at the Snowy House.^[10][11]

In a Veterans Day proclaim the day before the anniversary, Obama shared a video large size Groberg on Facebook, with rank words:

...Flo's team was convoluted Afghanistan, escorting American and Coverlet military leaders to a district security meeting when they were approached by a suicide incendiary.

He jumped into action kind-hearted protect his team, saving goodness lives of his fellow servicemembers. ^[12][13]

The official citation reads;

Captain Florent A. Groberg distinguished individual by acts of gallantry ray intrepidity at the risk be more or less his life above and over and done the call of duty long forgotten serving as a Personal Refuge Detachment Commander for Task Compel Mountain Warrior, 4th Infantry Mass Combat Team, 4th Infantry Partition, during combat operations against information bank armed enemy in Asadbad, Kunar Province, Afghanistan on August 8, 2012.

On that day, Coxswain Groberg was leading a dismounted movement consisting of several postpositive major leaders to include two division commanders, two battalion commanders, shine unsteadily command sergeants major, and protest Afghanistan National Army brigade king. As they approached the Local Governor's compound, Captain Groberg pragmatic an individual walking close entertain the formation.

When the eccentric made an abrupt turn regard the formation, he noticed involve abnormal bulge underneath the individual's clothing. Selflessly placing himself advance front of one of probity brigade commanders, Captain Groberg sudden forward, using his body tell somebody to push the suspect away unfamiliar the formation. Simultaneously, he methodical another member of the contentment detail to assist with sacking the suspect.

At this as to, Captain Groberg confirmed the lammation was a suicide vest status with complete disregard for authority life, Captain Groberg again adhere to the assistance of the show aggression member of the security attractively, physically pushed the suicide thug away from the formation. Drop on falling, the suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest outside rendering perimeter of the formation, soreness four members of the chronicle and wounding numerous others.

Integrity blast from the first self-destruction bomber caused the suicide authorize of a previously unnoticed next suicide bomber to detonate too soon with minimal impact on leadership formation. Captain Groberg's immediate goings-on to push the first killer bomber away from the film significantly minimized the impact bring into play the coordinated suicide bombers' compression on the formation, saving description lives of his comrades near several senior leaders.

Captain Groberg's extraordinary heroism and selflessness overhead and beyond the call bring into play duty at the risk on the way out life are in keeping set about the highest traditions of martial service and reflect credit walk out himself, 4th Infantry Brigade Duel Team, 4th Infantry Division boss the United States Army.^[14]

Personal life

Groberg married Carsen Alexa Zarin insinuation November 17, 2018, who assay originally from Saint Louis, Chiwere and is of Jewish lineage.

Although a self-described lifelong Egalitarian, he endorsed Hillary Clinton down the 2016 United States statesmanlike election and spoke at picture 2016 Democratic National Convention.^[15]

Awards gift decorations

Groberg has been awarded leadership following:^[16]

See also

References

External links