The Secretary of the Army of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Army Commendation Medal with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Stephen A. Carey, United States Army, for exceptional valor and courage under fire while serving with Company D, 3d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in the city of Mosul, Iraq, on 28 December 2003. Upon realizing that his element was in the kill zone of an enemy ambush, Staff Sergeant Carey selflessly assaulted into the enemy, disrupting the ambush before it could be initiated on friendly forces. Staff Sergeant Carey’s bravery, selfless actions, leadership, and dedication to duty reflect great credit upon himself, the Strike Brigade, and the United States Army.