(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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Michael J. McCarty, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, 3d Battalion, 153d Infantry Regiment, 39th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, in combat against enemy forces in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 20 November 2004, near Adhamiya, Iraq. First Lieutenant McCarty’s platoon was patrolling in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad when his platoon was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Facing rocket propelled grenades, medium machine guns and small arms fire, Lieutenant McCarty continually exposed himself in order to acquire targets and direct fire, at one point single-handedly charging and destroying an enemy machine gun. In all, his team stopped an enemy three-man machine-gun team and a force of about 75 insurgents. Lieutenant McCarty’s actions were responsible for saving American lives, destroying enemy forces, and preventing capture of an Iraqi Police Station. First Lieutenant McCarty’s 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.