Lt. Col. William Zemp on duty in IraqLt. Col William Zemp said his most recent duty in Iraq was his most gratifying. He recently returned from service in Iraq has been awarded two of the nation’s top medals by the United States Army.
In December 2008, Zemp, commander of 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his service as a battalion commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“The medal is awarded to an individual who, while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, has performed a heroic act, meritorious achievement or distinguished service during armed conflict or ground combat while engaged against an armed enemy of the United States,” according to a brief from the Army/Air Force Hometown News service. “(Lt. Col.
Zemp’s) superb leadership, technical and tactical expertise and commitment to excellence while serving in combat operations contributed to the overwhelming success of the command’s mission,” the brief continued.
Zemp, son of Sid and Madge Zemp of Hartsville, was stationed in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, and commanded 700 soldiers responsible for an area known as the Triangle of Death. He and his unit worked with Iraqi security forces to defeat al-Qaeda and Iranian-sponsored insurgent groups, and the Bronze Star was awarded for the unit’s efforts during deployment.
“Being in a position of a commander,” Zemp said, “there is a tremendous amount of pride (in being awarded the medal) because it represents what your men have done. And it serves that someone is recognizing that.”
Zemp was injured in a blast that also injured two others soldiers and killed one Iraqi Army soldier. “That was a hard day,” he said of the injuries and casualty. “It doesn’t matter if it’s one of your guys or not. That’s one of the good guys. That was one of the guys who was charged with making sure I was protected.”
Zemp said the 15-month deployment is the third such deployment for many of the 700 soldiers under his command. “(The younger soldiers in the unit) continue to dispel the myths about them,” the 16-year military member said. He said many believe the younger generation doesn’t take things seriously and underachieves, but his soldiers have consistently proven those myths to be false.
“We see day and day again, they do a tremendous job with very little resources,” he said. “And whether it’s the scale of ethics, morals or the amount of courage they show on a daily basis, it is unmatched. It’s a privilege to be with them.”
Zemp said the situation in Iraq was much different this time around than the previous two assignments. “It’s just marked improvement all the way around,” he said. “It’s horrific. It’s war. You see some things that no person should have to see, but at the same time, with the Iraqi people stepping forward, it is marked improvement.”
In another difference, Zemp and his troops lived among the civilians in Mahmudiyah on this assignment. The soldiers also worked side-by-side with the Iraqi military. “My troops developed very strong bonds with their Iraqi counterparts,” Zemp said. “They’re good people over there. They just want to live in peace. Yes, there are some bad people over there, but if you treat people with respect then you are treated that way. It was a really good relationship, and that was one of the reasons for success.”
Zemp said due to the heat in the summer, each soldier’s day began at 4 a.m., and soldiers ran missions night and day.
Morale was also not an issue, Zemp said, thanks to the U.S. Army and some citizens back here in Hartsville. Zemp said the Army takes great care of each soldier’s family, and that is a major issue for troops.
The commander said many residents of Hartsville sponsored troops in his unit. He also said Ed Haney of Hartsville raised $3,000 to purchase soccer balls for troops. That was a great gesture, Zemp said. “There is no other way to say it but ‘thank you.’” Zemp said the care packages and letters were a wonderful treat for troops and are part of the things that keep them going strong.
The troops were also in some tough living conditions. “The standard soldier lived (inside a tent) in a four foot by eight foot square built out of plywood with a cot,” Zemp said. “It’s extremely cold in the winter and it is extremely hot in the summer. We were out in what is known as a forward operating base, which is pretty secure. But (soldiers) are never there. We are usually out and about doing things for up to three weeks at a time.”
Zemp said one of the most memorable moments of the last mission was a triumph over incredible odds. He said his troops were surrounded during a Shiite uprising.
“It was a small unit. About 300 of us in a small urban area, in about 24 hours, were surrounded. It was a pretty good fight for seven days, and our guys came out on top. But what came out of that was it was one of the first times the Iraqi unit stayed on top of it. They didn’t run, and they stood up for their population. From that point forward, it was kind of a turning point. Things got better after that.”
Zemp said this tour was more encouraging than any other. “Our guys and gals got a lot out of it this time around,” he said. “There was a lot of hope, and things are generally better over there.”
Zemp is a 1988 graduate of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., and a 1992 graduate of The Citadel. He also attended Hartsville High School where he played football and wrestled. He and his wife Amy reside at Fort Campbell in Kentucky with their two children.
Chad Rhoad
The Messenger
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