(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 Staff Sergeant William Thomas Payne, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, in Baghdad, Iraq, on 12 September 2004. During the late morning hours of 12 September 2004, Staff Sergeant Payne’s battalion was wrapping up an operation on Haifa Street in Baghdad, Iraq. As Bradley fighting vehicles patrolled the streets, soldiers on the ground set up defensive positions in order to pick up other soldiers that had been manning observation posts in high-rise buildings throughout the night. Sergeant Payne and his dismounted squad were in their position along the side of the street when a car laden with explosives sped onto the street and detonated into the rear of a Bradley. A split second later the blasts powerful concussion hit his squad knocking one soldier to the ground. The force of the blast disabled the 33 ton Bradley bringing it to a halt. It’s rear ramp was engulfed in flames and the upper cargo hatch was blown off. Small arms fire began to rain onto the street, so Sergeant Payne had his driver shift the squad into a new position so they could provide cover fire while he and Specialist Chase Ash went to help the soldiers in the Bradley. The two men ran 50 meters to the burning vehicle while insurgents fired on them. At the Bradley, Sergeant Payne climbed up on top and helped two of the crewman out of the turret. He then turned his attention to the infantrymen still inside the crew compartment. One by one he pulled them up through the damaged cargo hatch. Within seconds of retrieving the wounded soldiers from the Bradley the vehicle’s load of ammunition began to cook off from the heat and fire. Once back in a safe position on the south side of the street Payne’s squad teamed together again to further protect the rescued soldiers as the medic treated them. Sergeant Payne’s men began giving them whatever piece of protective gear they could spare and, when it was safe enough, he and his soldiers put the wounded into another Bradley for evacuation to the combat support hospital in the International Zone. Staff Sergeant Payne’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, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army.