The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Jeffrey A. Conn, United States Army, for multiple valorous acts during combat operations in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, while serving as a Platoon Medic in 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment (The Wolfhounds), 25th Infantry Division, Combined Joint Task Force – 1, from 8 October 2011 to 16 October 2011 in defense of Observation Post (OP) Shal during Operation RUGGED SARAK in Afghanistan.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Specialist Jeffrey A. Conn, United States Army, distinguished himself in multiple valorous acts during combat operations in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, while serving as a Platoon Medic in 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment (The Wolfhounds), Combined Joint Task Force – 1, from 8 October 2011 to 15 October 2011 in defense of Observation Post (OP) Shal during Operation RUGGED SARAK. Specialist Conn voluntarily risked his life repeatedly over nine days, continually exposing himself to heavy machine gun fire, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) fire, Small Arms Fire (SAF) and Indirect Fire (IDF) in order to treat casualties, re-supply ammunition, relay reports, adjust fire missions and defend his platoon patrol base from multiple attacks from a determined and fanatical enemy. On 11 October 2011, Specialist Conn under heavy Recoilless Rifle, RPT and SAF defended the southern flank of his lightly armed and under-manned position, repelling a daring nighttime enemy attack intent on overrunning his patrol base. On 12 October 2011, Specialist Conn under heavy RPG and heavy machine gun fire led his section against a reconsolidated and numerically superior force as the enemy massed against the patrol base in a heavy and coordinated night assault. On 13 October 2011, Specialist Conn under heavy machine gun, RPG, IDF and sniper fire led his aid and litter team in establishing a Casualty Collection Point (CCP), successfully stabilizing one expectant casualty. Early evening, 13 October 2011, Specialist Conn sustained the life of a flight medic who suffered massive head trauma from a UH-50 rotor blade strike and evacuated nine Coalition Forces (CF) casualties. On 14 October 2011, Specialist Conn, under enemy sniper and heavy machine gun fire, while running from fighting position to fighting position rendering treatment, returned to the southern flank in order to stave off an enemy attack by ten suicide fighters attempting to penetrate the southern flank of the OP. During Operation RUGGED SARAK, Bravo Company seized key terrain in Asmar District, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, and established a new ANA outpost to deny insurgents one of their most critical supply routes in northeastern Afghanistan. For years, insurgents had exploited an absence of security forces to build a safe haven allowing the enemy to move freely from Pakistan into broader Afghanistan. Shal Mountain controls the supply route at the Kunar River. Visible from Combat Outpost (COP) MONTI, which is seven kilometers to the south and rising 1,100 feet from the valley floor, Shal Mountain dominates the enemy’s supply route running east to west inside Shal Valley. Furthermore, the mountain overlooks Main Supply Route (MSR) CALIFORNIA, an improved road which parallels the Kunar River running north to south. MSR CALIFORNIA is the only road that connects Northern Kunar to the provincial capital, Asadabad. Likewise, Forward Operating Base (FOB) BOSTICK relies solely on MSR CALIFORNIA for re-supply from main logistic nodes in the south. During years of brigade re-supply operations, insurgents consistently used Shal Mountain as a lethal battle position to attack ANA and American units on MSR CALIFORNIA. During one of these large-scale re-supply operations in July 2011, insurgents from Shal and Dab Valleys killed two Soldiers from First Platoon, Bravo Company, in a complex ambush. Bravo Company combined with three ANA companies seized Shal Mountain on 8 October 2011, and the most difficult phase of the operation extended until 16 October as the company consolidated and built a new Afghan outpost. During a week of brutal fighting, all three platoons of Bravo Company alongside Fourth Platoon, Delta Company, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, defeated a numerically superior insurgent force. While Second and Third Platoon, Bravo Company, controlled battle positions on MSR CALIFORNIA, First Platoon held the decisive terrain of Shal Mountain. On 12 October 2011, Fourth Platoon, Delta Company, reinforced a strongpoint to secure the western, downhill flank of Shal Mountain. Throughout the battle, several hundred fighters simultaneously attacked all of Bravo Company’s positions as they maneuvered against First Platoon’s strongpoint. During the siege, the enemy coordinated heavy machine guns (HMGs), recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), mortars, and suicide attackers. The enemy proved his determination as he fired upon helicopters and charged the wire with nothing but explosives in backpacks. Through the combined efforts of four infantry platoons, Bravo Company decisively defeated a relentless enemy with over 115 confirmed enemy killed-in-action. On top of Shal Mountain, First Platoon and their Afghan partners tenaciously defended their fighting positions and routed multiple overrun attempts with danger-close artillery, close-combat aviation (CCA), close-air support (CAS), hand grenades, claymores, and accurate direct fire. The coordination of final protective lines and the integration of Afghan partners proved critical as First Platoon destroyed enemy assault squads within 50 feet of their perimeter in both day and night overrun attempts. The members of First Platoon faced a tough, determined, and well-led insurgent force, and their individual discipline, selfless leadership, and valorous actions ensured the success of Afghan and American forces in Kunar Province. Late evening, 11 October 2011, a 25-man enemy assault element maneuvered through dead space as they closed within five meters of the OP’s perimeter. The enemy initiated with heavy machine gun fire from 12 separate crew served weapons teams across the valley hidden in dense micro-terrain pinning down the entire OP. The northern flank came under heavy RPG fire and SAF as the enemy main effort attacked the southern flank. Without hesitation, Specialist Conn climbed on the HESCO barrier in plain view of the enemy assault element and started to engage the enemy fighters with a barrage of fragmentation grenades, initiated claymores and suppressed the enemy as the OP perimeter was ordered to collapse into their subsequent fighting positions. Still under enemy direct fire, Specialist Conn identified RPG strikes on the MK-19 automatic grenade launcher position and ran into the kill zone in order to check for casualties as danger close munitions exploded around the OP perimeter. Specialist Conn’s valor as a leader under direct enemy contact allowed his platoon to stave off a surprise attack and saved the lives of 30 U.S. and Afghan Soldiers. Late evening 12 October 2011, an enemy assault element composed of 30 Taliban fighters attacked the OP as eight heavy machine gun positions laid cover fire from the mountains across the valley to the east. The enemy initiated with RPGs and SAF that impacted within inches of Specialist Conn, as heavy machine gun fire sent armor-piercing .509 caliber rounds through HESCO barriers and sandbags suppressing the platoon Command and Control (C2) position. Specialist Conn voluntarily exposed himself to enemy heavy machine gun fire as he ran to the platoon C2 cell in order to take control of the un-manned radio and send crucial reports to higher headquarters. Specialist Conn continued relaying reports to higher headquarters until he identified enemy fighters maneuvering in the low ground to the southeast and transitioned to the adjacent 60-mm. mortar system in order to engage the Taliban fighter with 60-mm. direct fire. Specialist Conn’s fearless leadership under heavy enemy contact saved the lives of his platoon and routed the enemy attack, killing 12 Taliban fighters. Early afternoon, 13 October 2011, OP Shal came under the heavies and most coordinated attack of the battle. Enemy assault elements staged in dead space 100 meters away as heavy machine gun fire pinned down every fighting position with armor-piercing .50 caliber rounds tore through HESCO barriers and sandbags. The enemy set in 12 separate heavy crew served weapon systems hidden in the terrain of the mountains to the north, east and south across the valley floor. Two 82-mm. mortar rounds impacted on the northern flank’s fighting position, rendering the position combat ineffective and severely wounding five U.S. and three ANA Soldiers. With total disregard for his personal safety Specialist Conn ran the length of the OP, exposed to the heavy machine gun fire and led his aid and litter team into the kill zone and quickly stabilized one expectant ANA casualty. Emboldened by the devastating success of the strike, the enemy focused fires onto the northern flank’s fighting position. Specialist Conn remained in the kill zone as he checked all eight casualties, engaged with fragmentation grenades, threw smoke for concealment and staged casualties for transport. Specialist Conn’s expert leadership and care under fire saved the life of one expectant ANA casualty. The enemy attack continued unabated as heavy machine gun fire continued to target the northern flank’s fighting position. The enemy had bracketed the OP with 82-mm. mortar rounds and heavy machine gun fire continued to reduce the OP’s fighting positions with armor-piercing .50 caliber rounds, forcing the casualties to be moved to the CCP. With total disregard for his own safety Specialist Conn led his aid and litter team in the dash across the length of the OP, exposed to machine gun fire, placing the expectant casualty in the CCP. Enemy fires reduced the fortification of the CCP providing little to no cover for Specialist Conn as he continued top render treatment by applying Intravenous (IV) lines, oxygen, re-dressing bandages, re-checking all tourniquets and sending updated to the platoon Radio Telephone Operator (RTO) for the nine-line Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) request. Specialist Conn’s valorous action under the enemy attacks saved the lives of all nine casualties and allowed the platoon to re-fortify the northern flank’s security, which staved off the enemy attack. Late evening, 13 October 2011, OP Shal remained in contact as snipers targeted the slightest movement inside the OP, sending deadly accurate rounds into HESCO barriers. Specialist Conn diagnosed his platoon casualties under deadly accurate sniper fire and discovered every Soldier now displayed signs of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from the devastating enemy attack. After landing on the Helicopter Landing Zone (HLZ), the flight medic escorted the casualties to the UH-60 helicopter. As the flight medic approached the helicopter from the twelve o’clock position he was hit by the rotor blade, throwing himself and five casualties to the ground. Without hesitation, Specialist Conn ran onto the HLZ and identified Staff Sergeant Cowdrey, who suffered a massive head wound. Specialist Conn quickly began stabilizing his new casualty with a spinal stabilization board and ordered his aid and litter team to report to his position. Specialist Conn, unaware if the bird would return and with the HLZ un-secure, moved the casualty to the OP and began treatment with what little life saving equipment remained. His quick reaction and disregard for his own safety gave Staff Sergeant Cowdrey the chance to fight for his life as he was successfully resuscitated on three separate occasions and evacuated 30 minutes later. Mid-day, 14 October 2011, the enemy launched a daring attack with ten suicide fighters, who charged the southeastern flank of the OP as sniper and heavy machine gun positions covered their attack. Specialist Conn came under heavy machine gun fire and was pinned down as .50 caliber armor-piercing rounds were landing inside his fighting position. Specialist Conn, without orders or hesitation, ran exposed through the enemy heavy machine gun fire from fighting position to fighting position checking every Soldier in the platoon, issued minor aid and returned to the C2 position in order to support the Mortar Firing Pit (MEP). Specialist Conn remained in plain view of an enemy sniper as he hung 60-mm. mortar rounds, relayed Soldier status reports to his Platoon Sergeant and threw a salvo of fragmentation grenades, routing the enemy assault. His unwavering valor under heavy machine gun fire allowed his platoon to kill all 10 suicide fighters and kept his battered platoon together after sustaining an almost overwhelming amount of combat related injuries. Specialist Conn’s courage under fire as a Platoon Medic in Bravo Company saved the lives of American and Afghan Soldiers. Specialist Conn’s valor and commitment to his platoon was decisive in helping to destroy a determined and fanatical enemy force, acting as the link between individual Soldiers and their command. Specialist Conn voluntarily risked his life on multiple occasions, moving between fighting positions completely exposed while under heavy machine gun in order to treat and evacuate U.S. and ANA casualties. His valorous actions directly led to the success of his platoon’s mission as the Regional Command-East Main Effort. His actions reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Brigade Combat Team, Combined Joint Task Force 1, and the United States Army.