Local soldier honored
CONNELLSVILLE – One of Connellsville’s most-decorated soldiers again has been honored for his distinguished service to his country. U.S. Army Col. Gregory A. Ritch was inducted into the Officer Candidate School (OCS) Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Ga., on March 31, along with 42 other soldiers from across the country, who, like him, had at one time in their military career been chosen to become an officer. Ritch is deputy commander of the 464th Chemical Brigade based in Johnstown.
“It is truly an honor,” said Ritch prior to his departure to the southern military installation.
Ritch followed a path previously etched by his grandfather, father and uncle.
“I grew up with the military,” he said. “I felt it was my responsibility to join as my namesake had done in the past.”
Although his father was unhappy with the decision, Ritch joined the military in 1970 at the age of 19.
In 1978, with the encouragement of now Fayette County Common Pleas Court Judge John Wagner, who then served as company commander of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, 1st/110th Infantry Unit in Mount Pleasant, and colleagues Bill Colvin, Jerry Schroyer and Jerry Zavatsky, among others, Ritch applied to OCS.
“At that time, I was a staff sergeant and my goal was to be a first sergeant like my father,” he said. “But Bill (Colvin) and Jerry (Schroyer) sat me down and encouraged me to consider OCS.
“I hadn’t initially considered it, but I liked the challenges that it presented.”
The 14-week course, that transitions the enlisted soldier into an officer, was grueling. For 18 hours each day, said Ritch, the candidates would be challenged both physically and mentally.
“My first day there, we ran four miles with combat boots on,” said Ritch. “We were required to run everywhere, and that took some getting used to.”
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the OCS participants would attend class and then undergo several hours of physical training under the supervision of tactical officers.
“Our drill instructors would put us through day after day of stressful challenges and situations to see how we would react; to see what decisions we would make in simulated combat situations,” Ritch said.
While Ritch recalls several instances that would demonstrate the camaraderie of the candidates, the most outstanding is the day he was positioned as company commander.
With six platoons, totaling nearly 120 men, Ritch watched as the soldiers underwent inspection prior to their departure to the shooting range.
“It was customary for a hard salute to be given to dismiss the soldiers,” said Ritch. “I requested the hard salute, but it didn’t happen.
“As rain began pouring down, I again asked for the hard salute and again there was nothing.”
At that point, said Ritch, he called his first sergeant forward and moved the platoon leaders to the rear. “Then came the order for the platoon leaders to get on the bus,” said Ritch, adding that there had yet to be the hard salute.
As he now stood alone on the field, the officer in charge exited the nearby building and ordered him to the ground and began what turned out to be a lengthy series of push-ups.
“The guys saw what was happening and got off the bus and joined me, but were ordered to return,” said Ritch. “(The officer) told me I was going to pay for what I did – and I did.”
Later, however, Ritch said that his tactical officer acknowledged that he knew that it was the action that would be undertaken by him.
“It was my responsibility to take care of my soldiers; to get them out of the rain,” said Ritch. “Indecisiveness was not an option; I had to make a decision and I did – that’s what a leader does.”
It was those leadership qualities that prompted (retired) U.S. Army Col. Richard J. Kiehart to recommend Ritch for the OCS Hall of Fame.
“I nominated (Ritch) because he is a soldier’s soldier,” said Kiehart. “He is a great officer and leader and always puts the welfare of his troops first, even if it costs him personally.
“He has worked his way up to his current position through hard work and dedication to the soldiers, the unit, the service and the country. There is nothing he would not do for his troops and unit.”
The two met, said Kiehart, while commanding officers of two different battalions based in Johnstown.
Kiehart said that during briefings, Ritch frequently would find a way to bring a smile to those attending the sometimes long and in-depth proceedings. “He’s a character,” said Kiehart.
When Kiehart moved up the chain of command, he requested Ritch be elevated, provided he underwent additional chemical training.
“After much whining, he did become qualified and then became the deputy when I turned over my command.”
The chemical training also allowed him to serve as deputy brigade commander for a new chemical brigade that served a year in Iraq searching for weapons of mass destruction.
While in Iraq, Ritch, said Kiehart, again distinguished himself as a leader.
“A friend of mine was on his way to see (Ritch) when a mortar attack took place,” said Kiehart. “(Ritch) ensured all his troops were safe and then started to search for wounded.
“There, in the night, he found my friend wounded on the side of the road. He grabbed him and got him to an aide station, where he received medical attention and was evacuated.
“I could go on and on, but his story shows a true leader in the face of the enemy, doing what leaders do, lead and take care of their troops first.”
U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Robert Yauger said Ritch prepared him and the 458th Engineering Battalion for battle in Iraq in 2004.
“The man tirelessly pushes his subordinates to make sure the mission is accomplished, but also rewards solid performance,” said Yauger. “He’s one of those rare officers of his rank that all of his soldiers knew by sight and truly respected him, because he never put them through any hardships that he did not share.”
In 1997, said Yauger, the unit went to Fort AP Hill in Virginia for training and there to greet the soldiers at 2:30 a.m. in the pouring rain, was Ritch.
“There he was with his arms crossed, looking surprisingly like Gen. George Patton,” said Yauger.
The damp and dreary weather continued throughout the field exercise, but unlike his peers who sought drier conditions, Ritch stayed with his soldiers.
“His focus on training in the late 1990s prepared the 458th’s junior officers and non-commissioned officers for war,” said Yauger. “As young leaders Ritch instilled in us the value of solid planning, small unit cohesion, technical and tactical skills and individual soldier readiness.
“When we went to Iraq in 2004, we took those skills with us and adapted them to our mission.
“Our soldiers were involved in multiple direct and indirect fire engagements, fought hard, took some casualties and recovered 171 roadside bombs in our clearing missions. His influence taught us how to lead, made us better solders and, ultimately, resulted in saving some lives.”
Ritch, however, shies away from being touted a hero and instead notes the heroic efforts being undertaken by the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“These are our great Americans,” he said.
Throughout his more than 30 years of military service, Ritch has been awarded 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 starts, 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.
During his time at Fort Benning, Ritch said he plans to re-trace the steps taken nearly 30 years ago.
“This time, I think I’ll just walk,” he said.