4th Marine Division Marine of the Year

06/15/2009

New Orleans, Louisiana

By: Chase Treadway

Sergeant Samuel P. Baumgartner, Chi /  ‘07

Sergeant Samuel P. Baumgartner was born on August 16 1983 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Enlisting in the Marine Corps, he reported to MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina for recruit training and graduated in September 2002. Upon graduation, he attended Marine Combat training at Camp Lejuene , North Carolina and, upon completion, reported to the Basic Vehicle Repairman Course at Assault Amphibian Schools Battalion, Camp Pendleton , California graduating from the course in February of 2003.

In March of 2003, Lance Corporal Baumgartner joined 3^rd platoon, A company, 4^th Assault Amphibian Battalion in Gulf Port , Mississippi as an AAV mechanic. In August of 2003, he enrolled as a freshman at the University of Mississippi in Oxford , Ms. During Annual training in 2004, Lance Corporal Baumgartner was assigned as section mechanic.

In January of 2005, Lance Corporal Baumgartner was mobilized for deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned as a section mechanic and driver and was attached to Lima Company, 3^rd Battalion 25^th Marine regiment, Regimental Combat team 2, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD). During his deployment, Lance Corporal Baumgartner was reassigned as Platoon Maintenance Chief, and turned over a one hundred percent mission capable platoon of vehicles at the end of his tour. He was promoted to corporal in January of 2007.

During annual training in the summer of 2007, Corporal Baumgartner was assigned as Platoon Maintenance chief. During this period, he maintained a consistent one hundred percent vehicle readiness level. In December of 2007, Corporal Baumgartner graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor’s degree in English, and a minor in Business Administration.

In December of 2007, Corporal Baumgartner was again mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned as a squad leader in an Infantry Rifle Platoon

He served as the senior man and NCOIC of an expeditionary patrol base, and periodically filled in as acting platoon sergeant, as well as mobile assault section commander. He also served as Coalition Force liaison with local Iraqi security forces. He was promoted to sergeant in July of 2008. He completed his tour in November and returned home to Louisiana .

Sergeant Baumgartner was selected as the 4^th Assault Amphibian Battalion’s Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for 2008. He was also subsequently selected as the Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for 4^th Marine Division.

Sergeant Baumgartner’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three Gold Stars, the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraqi Campaign Medal.

Sergeant Baumgartner currently resides in New Orleans , Louisiana where he hopes to attend Law school in the fall.