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 Daniel J. Gould, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous actions as the Detachment Engineer Sergeant for Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 7134 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 20 August 2008. While under intense enemy fire from a coordinated enemy ambush, Sergeant Gould provided lethal effective fires with his m4 carbine, effectively killing more the ten enemy combatants so that a critically injured detachment member could be medically treated and evacuated. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflects distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant Daniel J. Gould, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by displaying valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States while serving as the Special Forces Engineer Sergeant for Operational Detachment Alpha 7134, Special Operations Task Force-71, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 20 August 2008. While conducting a Combat Reconnaissance Patrol to the village of Faramuz, Khas Oruzgan District, Afghanistan to confirm or deny reports of Anti-Afghan Forces activity, the patrol received information that an enemy ambush was set ahead of them towards the Northern river crossing. A dismounted element of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) led by Sergeant Gould started clearing the area towards the crossing when he identified an ambush line of approximately 20 enemy fighters. Sergeant Gould immediately began engaging the enemy with his M4 at ranges as close as 10 meters, while reporting the battlefield situation to the Ground Force Commander. Subsequently he started receiving a high volume of effective small arms, machine gun, and indirect fire from the well coordinated enemy ambush line. Sergeant Gould’s rapid response to the enemy threat provided the suppressing fires needed to fix the enemy from maneuvering towards the remainder of the clearing element. In the midst of overwhelming fires, Sergeant Gould directed the maneuver of the ten ANSF dismount Soldiers in order to suppress the enemy near ambush position. Throughout thirty minutes of intense and ferocious direct fire exchange with the enemy, Sergeant Gould was hit twice by small arms fire: one to his helmet, the impact ripping it clean off his head, and the other to the side plate of his body armor. During this time another detachment member, who had maneuvered forward to the fire-line, was shot and critically wounded. Sergeant Gould utilized this teammate’s Squad Automatic Weapon to place an increased concentration of fire on to neutralize the enemy. His action created a lull in fire giving the Medical Detachment Sergeant the ability maneuver to stabilize the casualty. Knowing the casualty needed to be evacuated immediately, and ignoring his own personal safety, Sergeant Gould first assisted the medic by dragging the wounded Soldier for approximately 40 meters in open hostile terrain while still suppressing the enemy. Then he lifted his teammate on his shoulders and carried him the final 35 meters to the safety of the patrol’s mounted support by fire position. Throughout the engagement, Sergeant Gould’s aggressive warrior instincts led him to positively identify and kill multiple enemy fighters and neutralize one well concealed enemy fighting position. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.