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 Sergeant Joshua L. Bostic, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division during Operation STRONG EAGLE III in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan on 29 March 2011. Sergeant Bostic’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and is a testament to his devotion to duty. His steadfast leadership, selfless service, and fierce determination contributed greatly to the success of the mission. His actions reflect great credit upon himself, the 2-327th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant Joshua Bostic distinguished himself by heroic achievement to the United States as a Squad Leader, Task Force NO SLACK, Kunar Valley, Afghanistan during Operation STRONG EAGLE III on 29 March 2011. He exhibited outstanding decision making and bravery during the air assault operation into the remote and extremely hostile Ganigal Valley. His sound judgment and selfless service would become overwhelmingly apparent through numerous firefights on OBJ LEXINGTON. After the Air Assault into HLZ BEE EATER, 3d Platoon elements began their harsh movement to the southern ridgeline and planned support by fire position. When the platoon halted to assess their route, fifteen enemy personnel ambushed the lead element which resulted in three casualties including a squad leader and team leader. Sergeant Bostic, knowing that he was outnumbered 3 to 1, led his squad through PKM, RPG, and AK-47 fire to move into the kill zone where they provided security for the medical evacuation of the casualties. Once the medical evacuation was complete, Sergeant Bostic’s squad became the lead element for the platoon. During the clearance of the objective, approximately 150 enemy fighters initiated a complex attack on the Company’s position. When the contact began, Sergeant Bostic completely exposed himself to enemy direct fire in order to direct his squad to establish covering fire for the rest of the platoon. Extremely effective fire was initiated by the overwhelming enemy force by AK-47, RPK, and PKM machine guns from the southern ridgeline. Sergeant Bostic immediately moved his squad’s position under intense enemy fire to provide much needed suppression along the southern ridgeline. Only second after contact started, multiple enemy positions began to fire from the North, North-East, and immediate West of Sergeant Bostic’s location. With the platoon nearly surrounded, and poor weather conditions mitigated air support, Sergeant Bostic and 3d Platoon were on their own. Sergeant Bostic had to rely completely on organic weapons systems to defend against the enemy attack. Sergeant Bostic’s position was pinned down and very exposed as he continued to give fire commands, provide suppressive fire, and relay effective communication to higher. His actions at that critical moment in the battle allowed the company commander to gain situational awareness needed for decision making. Without regard to his own self preservation, Sergeant Bostic instructed his rear team to move to a rock building approximately 100 meters and two terraces up from his location, and directed his lead element to provide suppressive fire. Sergeant Bostic and two other members of his team were now left completely exposed, alone, cut off from the rest of the company and under concentrated enemy fire. The terrain between his element and the rest of the platoon made it impossible to visually locate Sergeant Bostic, let alone provide accurate support for any movement. Sergeant Bostic could not move from his location due to the concentration of fire and when he was wounded in the upper rear of his right leg, he was forced to low crawl to cover. At this time one of Sergeant Bostic’s men, PV2 Faulkner, was also shot through the arm and into the chest. Despite being wounded, Sergeant Bostic moved under intense and deadly fire to get PV2 Faulkner and provide initial first aid. Once a the casualty, Sergeant Bostic was pinned down behind the rock wall by enemy fire, but remained focused on providing first aid to PV2 Faulkner. Due to the intense enemy fire, the first aid and litter team attempt did not make it to Sergeant Bostic’s position. He then reported PV2 Faulkner has passed as a result of his wounds. While under direct enemy fire Sergeant Bostic made the heartbreaking call to bound his remaining men back and up the terraces and consolidate with the rest of Cougar Company elements. Once the Air Weapons Team returned, a recovery party was formed and Sergeant Bostic immediately volunteered to put the safety of others above his own and lead the element under direct enemy fire to successfully recover PV2 Faulkner. Sergeant Bostic’s actions exhibit the epitome of valor in the most extreme combat situations and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the 2-327th Infantry Regiment (NO SLACK), 1st Brigade Combat Team (BASTOGNE), 101st Airborne Division (AIR ASSAULT) and the United States Army.