Earned, not won: Building named after Medal of Honor recipient

Fort Jackson dedicated a building March 31 in honor of Lt. Col. Matt Urban, a World World II Medal of Honor recipient who sacrificed his own well being in sake of finishing the mission earning the nickname of "Grey Ghost."

During the ceremony, held at 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment's headquarters, battalion commander Lt. Col. Jeremy Peifer, Urban's daughter Jennifer Hurford and retired Maj. Gen. Marvin Back unveiled a mounted plaque with Urban's name and Medal of Honor merits on the structure's

front facade.

"This is the right thing to do," said Fort Jackson Commander Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson. "We always have to look back at our heroes. The Medal of Honor is not one that are country takes lightly. It's one that truly represents that call of duty that goes above and beyond."

Urban, who died in 1995, was assigned to 2-60th during the war where his courage to finish the mission earned him the Medal of Honor, but as a result of his dedication, also seven Purple Heart medals. Each purple heart awarded represents a wound acquired from the battle.

"To be wounded once could be considered bad luck and could result in someone being a little more cautious in their future actions," said Back, who served as one of the chair members on the Matt Louis Urban board. "I seriously doubt to be overly cautious was ever a consideration for Matt

Urban, the warrior."

Urban was taken to the hospital during battle after being injured four out of the seven times. While receiving medical treatment, he asked when could he return to his command. Not liking the answer, Urban snuck away to rejoin his command in battle where he received his other three wounds.

"I asked you to remember that they are not called Medal of Honor winners because that medal can

not be won, it must be earned," said Back. "I believe the hallmark of Col. Urban's Army career was

that he thought taking care of his Soldiers was a most important task of every leader, second only

to mission accomplishment. He always put them at the top of his list."

Hurford believes her dad would have been happy to have a building named after him on such

a great installation.

"I hope that by this plaque and my dad's name being placed on the building causes the Soldiers to

pause and read about his accomplishment," she said. "I hope it causes them to ask what is it inside

of themselves that is like what was inside of my father Matt Urban.

What cause him to put his fellow soldiers lives before his own and the betterment of his country before his own self interest."