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 Staff Sergeant Christian C. Bryant, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 22 April 2007, near Shudergay Village, Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Bryant’s personal bravery and selfless actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 10th Mountain Division, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant Christian C. Bryant distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Combat Company, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 22 April 2007, near Shudergay Village, Afghanistan. On the morning of 22 April 2007, 2d Platoon, Combat Company was conducting a cordon and search of Shudergay Village when the platoon became engaged by 30-40 enemy personnel from 15-20 enemy positions using AK-47s, sniper rifles, PKMs, RPKs, and RPGs, lasting approximately 17 hours. Upon the initial contact Staff Sergeant Bryant personally maneuvered his machine guns under fire into a support by fire position allowing the ANA to clear the village. When the platoon became pinned down inside the village Staff Sergeant Bryant led a gun team and fire team up a ridgeline, low-crawling most of the way under intense enemy fire in order to establish an OP that could identify and fix the enemy positions. He then low-crawled back to the Platoon CP with complete disregard for his own safety, and under enemy sniper and small arms fire in order to give his report to the Platoon Leader. Upon arrival at the CP, Staff Sergeant Bryant discovered the Platoon Sergeant had suffered an injury to his leg as he was evacuating a wounded ANA Soldier. Staff Sergeant Bryant immediately took over as the Platoon Sergeant and continued to assist the Platoon Leader controlling the fight. Staff Sergeant Bryant then noticed that one of his M-240Bs was running low on ammunition. He immediately moved ammunition to that gun, low crawling the entire way due to the accurate sniper fire and intense small arms and RPG. Throughout the engagement Staff sergeant Bryant continually moved between positions to account for his soldiers regardless of the heavy fire. He displayed great courage as he continued to move supplies to those soldiers who were running low on ammo and water while under heavy and accurate enemy fire. Throughout the contact, Staff Sergeant Bryant assisted the Platoon Leader in controlling the numerous CAS platforms to include Apache Gunships, A-10’s, a B-l Bomber and an AC-130. His guidance and experience in directing these assets onto enemy targets was vital to the success of the platoon. He personally guided the Apaches onto three enemy positions on the eastern ridgeline that were suppressing his men, and effectively destroyed them. While under intense sniper fire (rounds were accurately being fired inside the room he was occupying), Staff Sergeant Bryant continued to directed the AH-64’s onto multiple enemy positions maintaining a calm, cool, and collected attitude which effectively instilled confidence among all those around him. When a member of 3d Platoon was wounded by enemy fire Staff Sergeant Bryant helped coordinate his CASEVAC and he assisted moving the Soldier to the LZ. As the machine gunners began to run low on ammunition, Staff Sergeant Bryant calmly encouraged his machine gunners to engage enemy personnel only after they had positively identified them. Throughout the contact one enemy sniper had continued to plague the platoon. After roughly 10 hours of fighting, one of the machine gunners identified his position as the sun was going down and muzzle flashes became more distinguishable. Staff Sergeant Bryant immediately assisted the Javelin gunner in retrieving, loading and then engaging and destroying the enemy sniper, all the while under intense enemy fire. Throughout the fight Staff Sergeant Bryant not only commanded his squad but he also performed duties well above his level of responsibility. Staff Sergeant Bryant’s actions exemplify what it means to be a true leader and a combat Soldier. His valorous actions under intense enemy fire showcased his personal courage and dedication to duty and to his men. Staff Sergeant Bryant’s actions were directly responsible for killing a key ACM Sub commander Habib Jan, whom Coalition Forces had been targeting for three years and who had been responsible for multiple Coalition Force casualties. His actions also led to the destruction of Habib Jan’s ACM cell killing over 20 ACM fighters.