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 Jose M. Rivas, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Medic for 2d Platoon, Combat Company, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, TASK FORCE CHOSIN, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 22 April 2007, near Shudergay Village, Afghanistan. Sergeant Rivas’ courage and dedication to duty were paramount as he ran into a hail of enemy gunfire in order to save the lives of his fallen comrades. Sergeant Rivas’ actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Chosin Battalion, the Spartan Brigade, Combined Joint Task Force, the Unites States Central Command, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant Jose M. Rivas distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Combat Company, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 22 April 2007, near Shudergay Village, Afghanistan. On the morning of 22 April 2007, 2d Platoon Combat Company was conducting a cordon and search of Shudergay Village when the platoon became engaged by 30-40 enemy personnel from 15-20 enemy positions using AK-47s, sniper rifles, PKMs, RPKs, and RPGs lasting approximately 17 hours. After receiving small arms fire from two enemy OPs the platoon was able to clear the village. Once the village was clear one enemy sniper began to engage the patrol base, hitting one ANA Soldier in the pelvic area. Sergeant Rivas, the Platoon Medic, immediately moved the casualty into a room in a home in the village and began working on the patient while under intense enemy fire. The enemy sniper continued to place rounds inside the room Sergeant Rivas had chosen for his CCP. Sergeant Rivas continued to treat the casualty, regardless of the fact that sniper rounds were ricocheting around the room. Due to the intense sniper fire, Sergeant Rivas was not able to relocate the casualty to a safer area. Sergeant Rivas cleared a bed area and immediately opened his aid bag and began working on the casualty, calling out the casualties status and vitals to the Platoon Sergeant for the l0-Line MEDEVAC request. Sergeant Rivas triaged the casualty as “urgent surgical”. Once he stabilized the casualty he organized an ANA litter team to move the casualty over 300 meters of rocky, uneven terrain to reach the LZ. En route to the LZ Sergeant Rivas’ CASEVAC team became engaged by four enemy positions. The enemy placed heavy accurate direct fire on the CASEVAC element, pinning them down for over an hour and a half. With total disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Rivas continued to treat the casualty amidst heavy enemy fire. As the ANA Soldier’s blood pressure began to drop, Sergeant Rivas quickly administered two more IV’s to stabilize the casualty, the entire time using his own body to shield the casualty from the heavy enemy contact. While treating the ANA soldier, Sergeant Rivas found out that the Platoon Sergeant had fractured his ankle during the engagement. Sergeant Rivas finished stabilizing the ANA casualty, and then he moved back 40 meters through intense enemy fire in order to assess the Platoon Sergeant. He accurately assessed that it was a severe sprain, not a break, but the Platoon Sergeant would be unable to walk on the ankle. Sergeant Rivas then had another Soldier assist him in putting the leg in a splint. He took charge of the nearest group of Soldiers and assigned a two man litter team to assist the Platoon Sergeant the rest of the way to the LZ. Sergeant Rivas then moved back through the 40 meter partially open area to continue treating the ANA Soldier, crawling on his hands and knees to avoid the enemy small arms fire that was impacting around him. He once again assessed his casualty and passed up both causalities’ information so that the MEDEVAC helicopter would have updated information on the patients. Sergeant Rivas exemplifies what it means to be a Combat Medic. Sergeant Rivas had only been with the platoon for less than a week and was on his first mission when he showed extreme courage under intense enemy small arms fire and total disregard for his own personal safety during the 17 hour fight. His valorous actions under intense enemy fire showcase his personal courage, dedication to duty and commitment to his men and his ANA Soldiers.