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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Diem Tan Vo, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous service while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, in action on 27 September 2006, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM at Camp Hit, Iraq. Lieutenant Vo’s heroic actions during combat operations in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming success of the command’s mission. His bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflects distinct credit upon himself, the Ready First Combat Team, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Second Lieutenant Diem Tan Vo heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as a Platoon Leader for Company A, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Camp Hit, Iraq, on 27 September 2006 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. On 27 September 2006, A/1-26 IN was attacked by mortar fire and small arms fire at Combat Outpost THREE (COP 3) in Hit, Iraq, in Al Anbar Province. An element from A/1-36 IN under the leadership of Second Lieutenant Diem Vo responded to the attack pursuing the enemy into the city. While in a “Troops in Contact” (TIC) air on station spotted two insurgents preparing for a mortar attack at the intersection of Plaintain and Eucalyptus streets. The insurgents conducted a successful mortar attack on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle from A/1-36, resulting in one wounded Soldier. Aircraft followed the mortarmen’s vehicle to a house in the local area. Second Lieutenant Vo’s patrol was then dispatched to the suspected house to detain the individuals. Once they arrive on site, the patrol came under sporadic small arms fire, but was able to gain entry into the house and detain the suspected individuals. The Company Commander, First Sergeant and Company FSO arrived on the scene to assume command of the situation. Captain Stainbrook directed another section to move one Bradley Fighting Vehicle to his location to assist with recovery operations. Additionally, Second Lieutenant Vo’s BFV was also dispatched to assist with security. Captain Stainbrook, First Sergeant Sapp, and Second Lieutenant Jackson dismounted the HMMWV and assumed security positions while the driver, Private First Class Walker and another Soldier proceeded to hook up a tow cable to pull the HMMWV free. As the HMMWV was freed from the mud, the two Soldiers moved to unhook the HMMWV. At that time, the entire element came under heavy machine gun fire from two enemy machine guns located in a building approximately 150 meters to their southeast. All elements on the ground immediately returned fire. First Sergeant Sapp and Captain Stainbrook were hit and severely wounded with debilitating wounds. Second Lieutenant Jackson moved to administer first aid to First Sergeant Sapp, Second Lieutenant Vo immediately directed his BFV to return fire at the source of the fire. Now realizing that First Sergeant Sapp was incapacitated, Second Lieutenant Vo exited his vehicle with his medic, Specialist Sparkman, and ran under fire to the First Sergeant. Still under heavy fire, Second Lieutenant Vo assisted Specialist Sparkman and Second Lieutenant Jackson in moving First Sergeant Sapp to a nearby BFV. While moving First Sergeant Sapp, Second Lieutenant Jackson was wounded a second time. Second Lieutenant Vo, Second Lieutenant Jackson, and Specialist Sparkman continued to move the First Sergeant into the BFV, where Specialist Sparkman administered immediate first aid to stop the bleeding. Second Lieutenant Vo then exited the vehicle and ran back to his own BFV. By this time, two Soldiers had moved Captain Stainbrook to another vehicle for medical evacuation. Second Lieutenant Vo looked over and realized that Captain Stainbrook’s weapon was left on the battlefield. Not wanting to give the enemy an opportunity to take a weapon, he ran under fire to retrieve it. After picking up the weapon, he was then hit with machine gun fire and wounded with a gunshot wound to the arm. He proceeded to his own BFV where he received immediate first aid and was evacuated back to the Battalion Aid Station. Second Lieutenant Vo’s courage under heavy enemy fire directly contributed to saving the life of First Sergeant Sapp. After assisting with the evacuation of the first sergeant he returned to the field of battle, retrieving Captain Stainbrook’s weapon under fire, resulting in his own wounds. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect great credit upon himself, the Ready First Combat Team, the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, and the United States Army.