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 Mark Edward Grover, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 3d Platoon, Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 2d Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 5 April 2007, in Iraq. Without regard for his personal safety, Staff Sergeant Grover braved a hail of enemy bullets to rescue Soldiers, directed fire-fighting efforts, and prepared his men for an enemy counter-attack. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect the highest credit upon himself, the 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant Mark Edward Grover distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous acts in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Vehicle Commander, 3d Platoon, Attack Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, on 5 April 2007 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. On 5 April 2007, Staff Sergeant Grover, while escorting the Attack Company Commander to the PJCC, responded to the aid of U.S. Soldiers in contact and their catastrophically disabled Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) in Old Baqubah in the Diyala Province. Staff Sergeant Grover’s section of Strykers was the first Coalition unit to arrive on the scene. Concerned with the security and needing to facilitate recovery of the vehicle and its crew, he positioned his vehicles to the east and west, creating effective blocking positions. While enemy fire impacted around the BFV, Staff Sergeant Grover grabbed a fire extinguisher, dismounted and maneuvered into the kill zone. Dodging a spray of bullets, Staff Sergeant Grover found four dismounted and visibly disoriented Soldiers from the BFV section standing in the open. Taking control of the situation, Staff Sergeant Grover ordered the survivors back to the remaining BFV for cover and to secure all of the fire extinguishers they could find. Immediately, .50 caliber RWS suppressed the building where the contact was originating, effectively reducing the threat. After being informed that there was a Soldier still trapped inside the flame-engulfed BFV crew compartment, Staff Sergeant Grover took off his kit, IBA, and helmet, and jumped up onto the BVF. He first checked the driver’s hatch, but was unable to see into the crew compartment. He then climbed on the turret; he could not get the commander’s hatch to open all the way. Maneuvering to the gunner’s hatch, he peered inside but the smoke was too thick to see the trapped Soldier. With one opening remaining on the BFV’s top, Staff Sergeant Grover made his way to the TOW (loading) hatch which incidentally had already been blown open, and jumped in. Although blinded by thick smoke, he located the casualty and attempted to lift him, but the Soldier’s body would not budge as the heat and flames had seared him to the troop bench. Certain that the soldier was dead, Staff Sergeant Grover struggled with the body for approximately ten seconds until is own need for oxygen and the belief that he was on fire forced him to climb out of the BFV. Emerging from the flames, Staff Sergeant Grover took a few deep breaths and informed the gathering of Soldiers that the BFV crew member was deceased. Identifying that the only hope for recovering the body rested in the group’s ability to extinguish the fire, Staff Sergeant Grover once again instructed the assembling first responders to retrieve fire extinguishers and water. Believing that a burning bongo truck next to the BFV was the source of the fire, Staff Sergeant Grover had the remaining BFV crew turn off the vehicle’s engine and then hook up and tow the BFV several meters away. With the first responders organized and executing the recovery effort, Staff Sergeant Grover once again jumped on top of the Bradley and worked to douse the flames with a fire extinguisher, but at this point, the vehicle’s basic load of 7.62 coax and 25-mm. ammunition began to cook off. Unable to safely continue the recovery effort, Staff Sergeant Grover dismounted the BFV. Within moments a fire truck arrived and its crew worked feverishly to extinguish the fire. Feeling the effects of smoke inhalation, Staff Sergeant Grover returned to his vehicle and checked to ensure that his men were properly emplaced and ready for any enemy counterattack. Staff Sergeant Grover’s actions are a true testament to the Army standard of never leaving a fallen comrade. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army.