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Welder has earned a second Bronze Star
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| Returns home to thank those who offered their prayers |
August 10, 2011 |
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Photo identified in full story.
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Major Matthew D. Welder, a 1990 OHS graduate and son of Larry and Sandy Welder of Ogden, is the recipient of two Bronze Stars. Major Welder presented a plaque to his childhood church, Immanuel Lutheran, during the Aug. 7, 2011 church service. The plaque that included one of his Bronze Stars read: "Thank you for your dedication and prayers. Your presence in my life will never be forgotten."
Major Welder served two tours of duty in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan as a member of the United States Army. He is an anesthesia provider and also the senior clinical anesthesia instructor for the residency program at Dwight D. Eisenhower Medical Center at Fort Gordon, GA.
He will be serving a one year tour in South Korea as chief of anesthesia at the hospital on base.
Major Welder was presented his first Bronze Star in 2006 for his "meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as certified registered nurse anesthetist, Task Force 21 Medical, Forward operating Base Abu Ghraib and Camp Cropper from 28 April 2006 to 15 October 2006 during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)."
The following narrative accompanied his award:
Captain Matthew Welder served superbly as one of only two anesthesia providers for Task Force 21 Medical, providing life-saving care for numerous Marines, Soldiers, Iraqi Army, civilians and security detainees. Captain Welder's efforts were in direct combat support of Forward Operating Base and the area west of Baghdad, including operations in Ramadi. These units frequently suffered battle-field casualties due to improvised explosive devices, ambush, mortar, or sniper fire resulting in complex life and limb threatening injuries. These casualties arrived at the prison hospital within minutes of the attack, creating a challenging and critical period where seconds counted and rapid decisions made the difference between life and death.
Captain Welder consistently demonstrated his highly refined professional trauma management skills and abilities to make the right decision with each and every one of these critically wounded Soldiers. His professionalism and expertise resulted in highly successful trauma resuscitations, diminishing the risk of permanent injury and disability, and giving each patient the optimal opportunity for full recovery.
Airway management is often the most critical primary concern during trauma resuscitation, and often the most challenging and terrifying for the health care provider. With uncommon steadiness, mental courage and aptitude, Captain Welder built his reputation as a team member that would be sought out over others and when the situation was tense and a second try may not be possible.
His expertise in airway management and trauma resuscitation was a keystone in the trauma training of over 50 Registered Nurses and 75 Combat Medics composing the clinical staff of Task Force 21 Medical. During his six month tour, the hospital will have conducted over 500 surgical procedures, to include over 30 Coalition casualty surgical episodes.
His dedication to duty ensured the provision of quality combat health support to Coalition forces and security detainees during combat operations and reflect great credit upon him, the Task Force 21 Medical, the Task Force 30th Medical Brigade, and the Multi-National Corps Iraq.
Major Welder's second Bronze Star was received in 2008 following his third tour overseas in Afghanistan. It read:
For exceptionally meritorious achievement as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this period, Captain Welder's superb performance contributed significantly to the immediate medical care and success of The Unit's missions while conducting combat operations. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Captain Welder reflected great credit upon himself, this Command and the United States Army.
PHOTO ID: Major Matthew Welder, left, spoke before the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church last Sunday and explained how the power of prayer helped him through the difficult times and what their prayers meant to him. Pastor Gordon Lundberg accepted the plaque on the church's behalf. -Photo by Sharon Album |
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©The Ogden Reporter 2013
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