The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Joseph R. Deslauriers, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as a member of the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on 23 September 2011. On that date, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Sergeant Deslauriers and his 25-vehicle route clearance patrol element, in support of Operation DESERT TORTISE, conducted a deliberate mounted combat reconnaissance in the New Zad District. Sergeant Deslauriers’ skills were instrumental to rendering safe one improvised explosive device and conducting three post blast analyses of subsequent detonations, all within a 4 hour timeframe. He repeatedly placed himself in harm’s way with complete disregard for his safety by dismounting his mine resistant, ambush protected vehicle in a improvised explosive device infested area and cleared an extraction lane to a disabled armored vehicle in order to reach an injured United States Marine. Upon reaching the vehicle, Sergeant Deslauriers provided medical aid, used his hand held detector to clear a safe path to the medical evacuation helicopter landing zone, and assisted with carrying the injured Marine out of the danger area. Sergeant Deslauriers then ordered personnel to stay in the armored vehicles until he cleared a safe area for vehicle recovery personnel. While conducting the post blast analysis and a second sweep to clear the area, Sergeant Deslauriers stepped on a buried initiation system that activated a fifth improvised explosive device. Despite near mortal injuries and while his teammates rendered life saving aid, he continued to pass information concerning the device which was vital as his team continued the mission. His actions enabled the safe extractions of two injured Marines, two disabled vehicles and completion of the mission’s objectives. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Deslauriers has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.