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 Lieutenant Colonel Raymond T. Strasburger, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, near Baghdad, Iraq, on 6 April 2003. On that date, while leading a flight of A-10 attack aircraft supporting Advance 33, a ground forward air controller attached to Task Force 2/69 Armor, Colonel Strasburger observed enemy tanks and armored infantry fighting vehicles engaging the Task Force’s lead company from the east end of a bridge spanning the Tigris River. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Colonel Strasburger led his element through heavy anti-aircraft fire, overcame extremely reduced in-flight visibility caused by a sand storm and performed an initial reconnaissance run on the target. Giving away the element of surprise to the enemy anti-aircraft gunners, Colonel Strasburger, using the same attack heading to protect friendlies, repeatedly attacked the battalion sized armor element dug in on the east side of the Tigris River bridge. For 33 minutes, he and his wingman braved the ever-increasing hailstorm of anti-aircraft fire to kill or demobilize three T-72 tanks, six armored personnel carriers and multiple utility vehicles, all within striking distance of the friendly ground forces. This courageous and aggressive attack, while under withering fire and in poor weather, along with Colonel Strasburger’s superior flying skills, allowed Task Force 2/69 Armor to press their northern attack with minimal combat losses, ultimately seizing their objective and linking up with adjoining coalition forces to complete the 360-degree encirclement of Baghdad. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Strasburger has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.