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 Benjamin Raoul Maitre, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States near Kandahar, Afghanistan, on 21 February 2002. On that date, as an MC-130H Aircraft Commander, Captain Maitre commanded a Combat Talon II on a high-risk airdrop mission supporting Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, the American-led endeavor to end global terrorism. He directed all facets of the mission, including planning, preflight, and ground operations, before departing from a classified location headed for the threat-laden skies over Afghanistan. Captain Maitre’s objective was to airdrop nine re-supply bundles, packed with ammunition and rations to Special Forces troops engaged in Operation ANACONDA, the effort to round Taliban and Al Qaeda forces from the rugged Tora Bora mountains. Beginning ten minutes prior to his time-over-target, Captain Maitre came under intense fire from numerous enemy anti-aircraft artillery sites. Despite the pitch-black night, he skillfully outmaneuvered each threat, keeping the aircraft clear of the terrain and barrage of enemy bullets. Captain Maitre then executed a perfect airdrop, allowing the supported commandos to flush the terrorists from their hideouts. After the drop, his aircraft was again fired upon and he deftly weaved through jagged mountains to evade the enemy fire. When two sites zeroes in on him at the same time, Captain Maitre executed aggressive maneuvers to defeat both threats, saving a 115 million-dollar aircraft and seven lives. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Maitre has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.