Lieutenant Colonel Mark Patrick Phelan was a soldier in the Army Reserve's 416th Civil Affairs Battalion (CA BN) from Norristown, PA and served with the unit on a nine-month deployment to Mosul, Iraq in 2004. His missions involved setting up hospitals, training and equipping police and fire stations, and setting up and training Iraqi National Guard units in the north.

While over in Iraq, LTC Phelan was the leader of the Unit's Economics and Finance Team. He successfully launched the Nineveh Business Center and established it as "the" vehicle for launching new businesses and reconstruction in the northern region of Iraq. He was tireless in promoting and building up the Business Center. He went to multiple sources to obtain funding for furnishing the center, purchasing computers, establishing a small business loan center, funding a venture capital program and renting office space to fledging businesses and PCO contractors.

LTC Phelan also worked to rehabilitate the local vocational school to train Iraqis in the skills needed to work on the reconstruction effort, rehabilitatated the tax administration buildings, helped the local government to begin collecting taxes again, provided training for bank employees on computers and took numerous other initatives to help the local economy.

In civilian life LTC Phelan lived in Green Lane, PA and was the facilities manager/administrator for a nursing home. He was a husband, a father, an uncle, a son, and a friend to many. While in Iraq, LTC Phelan was the unit's undisputed leader in receipt of care packages. His office was the unofficial "Battalion Variety Store" and was always loaded with candy and children's drawings sent by his family to let Uncle Mark know how much they missed him and how he made them proud.

LTC Phelan displayed his sincere dedication to help rebuild Iraq by extending his tour of duty for an additional nine months. In October 2004, LTC Phelan had just returned back in Iraq after being on a two-week leave in the US which he spent with his wife and daughter and family. On October 13, 2004 LTC Phelan was en route to his new assignment in Baghdad when his convoy was attacked by a suicide car-bomber injuring three solders and killing two, including LTC Phelan.

He was a hard worker who believed in the goodness of the United States' work in Iraq. He cared deeply for his fellow soldiers and for the people of Iraq. He always grieved each death of a coalition member or Iraqi ally. His dedication to voluntarily extend his tour was based on his sincere dedication to the success of the unit's mission.

LTC Phelan was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for exceptionally meritorious service during combat operations for his first tour of service in Iraq. He was revered by his Iraqi counterparts. Prior to his departure on leave the director of the small business loan program summed up the feelings of the Iraqis, who LTC Phelan helped, when he told LTC Phelan he would never forget what he had done for Iraq and its people and that they would be forever grateful.

LTC Phelan was a great American and touched those around him. He loved his country, his family, and the military. LTC Phelan was a blessing to be around and as all his comrades would say, they were proud to have known and served with him.