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 Michael Alexander Espejo, Jr., United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Team Leader with 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, 66th Military Police Company, 42d Military Police Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, Forward Operating Base Torkham, Afghanistan, in action against enemy forces in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 27 September 2007. Sergeant Espejo’s professionalism and valor in dealing with the instantaneous threat of a suicide bomber disguised as an Afghanistan National Police Officer were paramount in saving the lives of numerous personnel. Sergeant Espejo’s actions and rapid decision to eliminate the threat ensured no loss of life to coalition personnel and noncombatants. He selflessly put the lives of others above his own, and his courage on the battlefield reflected the highest standards and values. Sergeant Espejo’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, the 66th Military Police Company, Task Force DRAGOON, Task Force FURY, Combined Joint Task Force-82, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
On 27 September 2007, 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, 66th Military Police Company, was conducting a Combat Logistics Patrol from Forward Operating Base FENTY to Forward Operating TORKHAM when they encountered a VBIED that had exploded and was burning on the side of the road. While 1st Squad was establishing a security cordon, Sergeant Espejo and another team leader, Sergeant Todd, were conducting a search of the area and noticed a man wearing an Afghan National Police uniform, lying on his back with his palms down approximately five feet from the burning vehicle. The individual appeared to be a victim of the VBIED and was just starting to sit up. Sergeant Todd ran to get the Combat Lifesaver Bag as Sergeant Espejo approached the individual. Since the individual was starting to sit up, Sergeant Espejo decided to pick the individual up and carry him away from the fire. Sergeant Espejo placed the individual’s left arm over his shoulder, grabbed around his torso, and started to walk him away. When Sergeant Espejo placed his hand around the individual’s torso, he felt something bulky underneath his shirt then noticed a wire running out of the sleeve of his left arm and identified a switch type device in the palm of his hand. At about this time, Sergeant Todd was returning to Sergeant Espejo’s position. Sergeant Espejo threw the individual away from himself and Sergeant Todd and they both immediately raised their weapons and took cover behind some concrete pillars. Sergeant Espejo was yelling to the individual in Pashtu and English to stop and raise his hands with his palms forward. The individual was initially compliant, so Sergeant Espejo and Sergeant Todd started to bound back. On Sergeant Todd’s last bound back, the individual dropped his hands down to his lap and attempted to push the device in his palms. Sergeant Espejo then, having gone through all of the levels of Escalation of Force, then eliminated the threat. Sergeant Espejo and Sergeant Todd then continued to bound back to their vehicles, where they held security until EOD arrived on scene and removed the Suicide Vest from the individual. Sergeant Espejo’s courage and rapid decision to eliminate the threat of the suicide bomber disguised as an Afghan National Policeman, were paramount in saving the lives of numerous Coalition personnel and noncombatants.