Shortly after daybreak on June 13, 2004, Zedwick and other members of 2d Platoon departed from their operating base at Camp Cook in Taji in four Humvees to patrol the MSR as well as threat areas adjacent to the highway. Zedwick took up his position at the wheel of the third vehicle.

Soldiers of 2d Platoon approached a white civilian vehicle parked on the shoulder of the road with its hood open. As Zedwick's Humvee neared the vehicle, his platoon leader, sensing danger, called on the radio, directing his men to steer wide. The call came too late.

The initial explosion catapulted Zedwick's Humvee into the air. When it landed, smoke began to fill the vehicle.

With the Humvee now in flames, Zedwick kicked the heavy armored door to his left open - immediately exposing him to enemy rifle and machinegun fire. in the open, and with enemy mortar rounds raining down around him, Zedwick focused his attention on rescuing his injured squad leader from the burning Humvee.

At great risk to his own safety, Zedwick braved the fire and the risk that ammo in the burning Humvee would detonate to pull his squad leader from the vehicle - just seconds before it exploded. However, this now left Zedwick and his Squad Leader exposed to enemy fire in the middle of the road. Thinking quickly, Zedwick grabbed an armored door blown from the Humvee to create cover for him and his squad leader. Then he dragged his squad leader to a position of relative safety next to his platoon leader's vehicle. With his squad leader safe, Zedwick then returned once more to his shattered Humvee to retrieve the body of his fallen friend.

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