Colonel Gregory A. Ritch

Attended the Connellsville Joint School District

Graduated in: 1968

Other education:

California University of Pennsylvania, BS, 1973, Elementary Education

California University of Pennsylvania, MS, 1977, Reading Specialist

California University of Pennsylvania, 2003, Administration Program for Principals

United States Army War College, 2003, MS, Strategic Studies

Branch of service: US Army

Served 36 years served from 7 January 1970 to the Present

Colonel Gregory Allen Ritch was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from

Officer Candidate School, Class RC 1-78, Class 2-7-F2. His first duty assignment was as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Detachment 1, Company A, 1^st Battalion, 110^th Infantry, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania.

His subsequent duty assignments include: Commander, Detachment 1, Company A. 1^st Battalion, 110 Infantry, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania; Training Officer, 630^th Transportation Company, Washington, Pennsylvania; Personnel Officer, 429^th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Construction Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 429^th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Executive Officer, Company D, 429^th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), Greensburg, Pennsylvania; Commander, Company D, 429^th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), Readiness Officer, Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations, 99^th Army Reserve Command, Oakdale, Pennsylvania; Operations Officer, 336^th Military Police Battalion, Oakdale, Pennsylvania; Engineer Team Chief, 2^nd Regiment, 312^th Augmentation Battalion, Field Exercise, Washington, Pennsylvania; Operations Officer, 3^rd Regiment, 312^th LANES Battalion, 6^th Brigade, 78^th Division, Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Commander, 458^th Engineer Combat Battalion (Corps) (Wheeled), Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Operations Officer, 464^th Chemical Brigade, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Deputy Commander, 464^th Chemical Brigade, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Deputy Commander, 455^th Chemical Brigade, Fort Dix, New Jersey; and Deputy Commander, 455^th Chemical Brigade, Iraq Survey Group, Baghdad, Iraq.

His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with two bronze stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold hourglass device and M device, Combat Action Badge, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the Bronze DeFlurey from the Army Engineer Association.

He is currently serving as the Deputy Commander, 464^th Chemical Brigade, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Department of the Army Military Technician, Supervisory Staff Administrator, 464^th Chemical Brigade, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; and the 99^th Regional Readiness Command, US Army Reserves, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. He is a retired teacher from the Connellsville Area School District, Connellsville, Pennsylvania with 31 years of service.

Information regarding duties/deployment

Baghdad, Iraq - Mobilized 126 Feb 2003, returned from Iraq 4 May 2004

Colonel Gregory Allen Ritch, Task Force 455th Chemical Brigade, served as both the Deputy Brigade Commander and as the Joint Operations Officer Chemical Team Leader at Camp Slayer, Baghdad, Iraq.  Both duties were in support of the Iraqi Survey Group (ISG), a Presidential appointed commission established to find, disable, and eliminate weapons of mass destruction during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, from 5 May 2003 until April 15, 2004.

Special recognition received

Colonel Gregory Allen Ritch, Task Force 455^th Chemical Brigade, is recommended for the award of Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious service in a combat environment while serving as both the Deputy Brigade Commander and as the Joint Operations Officer Chemical Team Leader at Camp Slayer, Baghdad, Iraq.  Both duties were in support of the Iraqi Survey Group (ISG), a Presidential appointed commission established to find, disable, and eliminate weapons of mass destruction during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, from 5 May 2003 until April 15, 2004. Colonel Ritch's demonstrated persistence and exceptional resource expertise, professional knowledge and sound judgment, combined with his willingness to work beyond normal duty hours, were instrumental in spearheading the establishment, development and efficient operation of Camp Slayer, formally known as Abu Ghyrub Southern Presidential Palace, making it into a model base camp for others to emulate. Colonel Ritch’s devotion to duty, calm and effective planning, combined with his cooperative manner, were instrumental in the flawless integration of key staff members into 75^th Exploitation Task Force, transitioning into the ISG, ultimately establishing and conducting operations for 1700 personnel, including Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, Department of Defense Civilians and Contractors, as well as personnel from the United Kingdom and Australia, in Baghdad, Basra and Irbil Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar.  Colonel Ritch overwhelming supported the eleven Mobile Collection Teams and Security Control Point Baghdad (SCPB) in every aspect of their operation and was instrumental in obtaining 150 Interceptor Body Armor Vests for team members by personally meeting with the Coalition Forces Land Component Commander (CFLCC) Chief of Staff.  Through his capable leadership he inspired personnel who served with him to such an extent that all assigned missions were performed consistently in an exemplary manner.  As the Joint Operations Officer, he aggressively pursued a mission to the Karbala Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) for rockets identified by the United Nations Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection (UNMOVIC) team, personally briefing Dr. David Kay for approval, and developing talking points for the Director Central Intelligence (DCI), with the mission resulting in significant findings to be listed as key areas in the February Interim Report to Congress.  Colonel Ritch’s focused efforts, working closely with Other Governmental Agencies (OGA), ensured success in securing the much sought after research documents on the National Drug and Pesticide Program from Baghdad University.   Colonel Ritch coordinated and supported a working plan with Combined Joint Task Force-7 (CJTF7) and Captured Enemy Ammunition (CEA) to inventory and survey ASPs/Depots to determine the presence of Chemical Warfare (CW) munitions. This plan was briefed to the President of the United States. Colonel Ritch played a vital role in redirecting the Chemical Warfare team’s debriefing priority of prospective Iraqi military commanders from the Republican Guard (RG) and Special Republican Guard (SRG) for the presence of chemical weapon stockpiles, and also the procurement of dual-use equipment and materials for illicit purposes. Colonel Ritch has continually demonstrated personal courage, loyalty, and dedication to duty throughout his tour.  He put aside personal fear and bodily harm during a mortar attack on Camp Slayer, in the hours of darkness, by running to the aide of an individual injured in the attack. Locating the wounded individual, whose face was covered with blood as well his entire right chest area, Colonel Ritch arm-carried and escorted the wounded individual to the medical aide station for treatment as the attack continued. Colonel Ritch’s performance in a hostile field environment was nothing short of outstanding and his unparalleled leadership, professionalism, and dedication to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service.

Bronze DeFlurey from the Army Engineer Association

Pictures:

Col. Ritch and SPC Sabatine Col. Ritch on original couch in Saddam's MAIN palace.

Col. Ritch and LTC Graine Col. Ritch

Other information you want to include:

I am an American Soldier.

I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.