(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 Captain (Infantry) Kenneth M. Dwyer, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Operational Detachment Alpha 325 (ODA-325), 1st Battalion, 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne), during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 19 August 2006, in Afghanistan. Captain Dwyer’s team was conducting a combined Afghan National Army (ANA) and a U.S. Special Forces patrol in the vicinity of Yakden Village in the Cahar Cinch region, Oruzgan Province, when they were ambushed by a numerically superior Anti-Coalition Militia (ACM) force. With ANA and U. S. Forces pinned down in a “U”-shaped ambush, Captain Dwyer moved his vehicle through small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire to draw enemy fire and establish a support by fire position to provide relief for the pinned down Soldiers. He then charged from his position to draw the attention of enemy fire to free the pinned down forces. He continued to engage the enemy forces until friendly forces were again able to maneuver. Captain Dwyer returned to the position of the Operational Detachment 785 commander and assisted him in coordinating indirect fires. He then used various individual and vehicle-mounted weapons systems to fire into the enemy’s positions until he was critically injured by an air burst RPG. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.