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 Robert Joergen Hammons, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as the Communications Sergeant, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (SFODA) 3212, Special Operations Task Force – 32, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Staff Sergeant Hammons distinguished himself by exceptional valor under fire during combat operations on 2 November 2007. Staff Sergeant Hammons’ personal courage and commitment to mission accomplishment in a combat zone, under the most extreme of circumstances, greatly contributed to the success of operation enduring freedom. 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.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant Robert J. Hammons, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as the Communications Sergeant, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (SFODA) 3212, Special Operations Task Force – 32, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 2 November 2007, executing Operation FIRST LOOK, in the village of Sarsina, Afghanistan, Sergeant Hammons’ SFODA was ambushed by numerically superior enemy force of approximately 300-400 fighters. After an hour of intense fighting, Sergeant Hammons who was serving as a Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) turret gunner, identified an American ETT Soldier who was lying in the kill zone of the ambush and not responding to radio calls or verbal commands. As Sergeant Hammond’s GMV was preparing to move from a covered position and into the kill zone to recover the wounded Soldier, the Team Sergeant informed Sergeant Hammons that due to the intense volume of enemy fire, he should move out of his exposed position in the turret and into the safety of the vehicle. Sergeant Hammons refused and remained in the gunners’ turret in order to provide suppressive fire from his M2 machine gun. As Sergeant Hammons’ vehicle maneuvered to recover the wounded Soldier, he was continually exposed to a withering and sustained barrage of small arms, machine gun, Rocket Propelled Grenade and recoilless rifle fire. As the GMV turret was plastered by enemy fire, Sergeant Hammons poured devastating and effective fires on the enemy fighting positions. While in the kill zone, his M2 machine gun malfunctioned and despite repeated attempts, Sergeant Hammonds could not return the gun to normal operation. With total disregard to his personal safety, Sergeant Hammons immediately transitioned to a M60 machine gun and continued to engage the enemy forces. While firing the M60, Sergeant Hammons upper torso, shoulders and head were exposed beyond the protective armor of the gunner’s turret and he received a gunshot wound to his face which fractured his jawbone, left eye socket and ruptured his sinus. Despite the wound, and refusing initial medical treatment, Staff Sergeant Hammons continued to engage and destroy the enemy, until his wounds forced him to administer self-aid. Undoubtedly, Sergeant Hammons’ actions provided the critical suppressive fires that allowed his teammates to successfully recover a U.S. Soldier and preventing the deceased from falling into the hands of the enemy. His actions are in the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Special Operations Task Force – 32, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.