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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Andrew Caine Perkins, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 5 March 2007, near Samarra, Iraq. Sergeant Perkins’ instinctual actions and personal courage undoubtedly prevented a future attack on Coalition Forces, Iraqi Security Forces or innocent civilians at the cost of his own grievous injuries. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflects distinct credit upon him, Task Force 2-505 PIR, Task Force Lightning, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant Andrew Caine Perkins distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifle Team Leader in 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, during a complex improvised explosive device attack in the city of Samarra, Iraq, on 5 March 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 4 March 2007, 1st Platoon, Charlie Company was tasked with conducting reconnaissance of the berm on the eastern side of the volatile city of Samarra in order to prevent the flow of insurgent forces into the city. As the patrol moved towards a reported hole in the berm, the lead vehicle of the patrol was catastrophically struck by a large subsurface IED that engulfed it in flames, sending flying debris cart wheeling into the air. Five Paratroopers were injured in the blast, two of whom were thrown from the truck; they were still alive, but were on fire and among the burning debris. Watching helplessly as several of his closest comrades in the platoon were severely injured, Sergeant Perkins, although he was the Platoon Leader’s driver and could have stayed with his vehicle, grabbed the fire extinguisher from inside his vehicle and sprinted through the flames and secondary explosions from the destroyed vehicle in an attempt to suppress the fire and provide first aid to the burning Paratroopers. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, and with ammunition from the destroyed vehicle exploding all around him, Sergeant Perkins stood in the intense heat of the inferno, expending all the contents of the fire extinguisher in a desperate attempt to douse the fire. Once the fire extinguisher was expended, Sergeant Perkins charged back to the third vehicle to retrieve a fire blanket to continue to fight the flames. By this time the flames were so intense that his equipment was melting from the heat. Nevertheless, Sergeant Perkins was willing to be burned himself and brave the threat of further attacks or explosions if it meant he could put out the fire that was threatening the lives of his comrades. After putting out the flames for a third time, to continue to assist his comrades, Sergeant Perkins disappeared into the cloud of smoke as a large secondary IED detonated directly underneath his feet, killing him instantly. Despite the great risk to his life from exploding ammunition, intense flames, and the threat of a secondary IED which ultimately cost him his life, Sergeant Perkins made the ultimate sacrifice in an attempt to save the lives of his fellow Paratroopers. In an ultimate act of bravery and selfless service to his fellow Paratroopers in which he gave his own life, Sergeant Perkins attempted to save the lives of five of his comrades. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Sergeant Perkins gallantly gave his life for his country, upholding the highest traditions of military heroism and reflecting distinct credit upon himself, Task Force Two Panther, Task Force Lightning, and the United States Army.