(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Sergeant First Class James J. Brasher, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Platoon Sergeant for 2d Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division, in action in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Iraq, on 7 December 2007. On that date, Sergeant Brasher’s company had been tasked to participate in Operation MAR KARARADAD, a multi-national mission to clear insurgents from the Taliban stronghold of Musa Qaleh. That operation had begun the night before when his company was landed by helicopter just outside the city and, under cover of darkness, had occupied a hill overlooking the city. At dawn, Company A started taking small arms and heavy machine gun fire from a small town at the base of the hill. Sergeant Brasher and his Platoon Leader decided to take the town, which was isolated from the rest of Musa Qaleh by a dry riverbed. As the soldiers began systematically clearing buildings, a Taliban fighter attacked the lead squad of Sergeant Brasher’s platoon, but Sergeant Brasher killed him before he could kill or injure or kill any of the Paratroopers. The squad began taking small arms fire as it advanced to the next compound, and again Sergeant Brasher reacted, throwing fragmentation grenades toward the enemy position, which suppressed the attack and prevented the enemy from getting a fix on the soldiers’ position. As the Taliban consolidated into a highly defensible compound with thick walls, Sergeant Brasher spotted the enemy positions inside and began engaging them. One of the insurgent’s bullets tore through his right forearm and bicep, which slowed him down but failed to stop him. Sergeant Brasher’s fearless actions and dedication to mission accomplishment enabled 2d Platoon to destroy over 20 well-trained Taliban fighters. His quick decisions and aggressive stance against the enemy saved the lives of his men and were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.