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 First Class Mark Allen Newlin, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, at Hit, Iraq, on 24 September 2006. Sergeant First Class Newlin’s exceptionally valorous serviced during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM contributed to the overwhelming success of the Command’s mission. His bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Ready First Combat Team, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant First Class Mark Allen Newlin distinguished himself by his gallantry in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the country of Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. On 27 September 2006, Company A, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment was attacked by mortar fire and small arms fire at Combat Outpost THREE (COP 3) in Hit, Iraq, in Al Anbar Province. An element from A-1-36INF responded to the attack pursuing the enemy into the city. While in a “Troops in Contact” (TIC) condition, air on station spotted two insurgents preparing for a mortar attack at the intersection of Plaintain and Eucalyptus streets. The insurgents conducted a successful mortar attack on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle from A/1-36, resulting in one wounded Soldier. Aircraft followed the mortarmen’s vehicle to a house in the local area. The patrol from A/1-36 was then dispatched to the suspected mortarmen’s vehicle to a house to detain the individuals. Once they arrived on site, the patrol came under sporadic small arms fire, but was able to gain entry into the house and detain the suspected individuals. During this action Sergeant First Class Newlin was attending a required briefing with his Company Commander, Captain Eric Stainbrook and Company First Sergeant, First Sergeant Sapp. The Company Commander and First Sergeant departed the briefing en rout to the objective area to assume command of the situation on the ground. A section of Bradley Fighting Vehicles from A/1-36 under the leadership of First Lieutenant Buchanan and Sergeant First Class Newlin was also dispatched to provide additional combat power. Upon arrival at the scene, First Lieutenant Buchanan dismounted the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and accompanied a dismounted squad to clear some houses and provide additional security to the element. Sergeant First Class Newlin took command of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle mounted element. Once on the scene, the company leadership directed the patrol to complete the detention of the suspected individuals, resulting in three detainees. The patrol placed the detainees in the BFVs and prepared to egress from the location. Captain Stainbrook, First Sergeant Sapp, and Second Lieutenant Jackson entered Captain Stainbrook’s HMMWV and proceeded to return to their Company Firm Base. While maneuvering in the streets, their HMMWV became mired in much. Captain Stainbrook directed Sergeant First Class Newlin to move his Bradley Fighting Vehicle to his location to assist with recovery operations. Additionally, one of the Bradley Fighting Vehicles from the other patrol was also dispatched to assist with security. Captain Stainbrook, First Sergeant Sapp, and Second Lieutenant Jackson dismounted the HMMWV and assumed security positions while the driver, Private First Class Walker, and Sergeant First Class Newlin proceeded to hook up a tow cable to pull the HMMWV free. As the HMMWV was freed from the mud, Private First Class Walker and Sergeant First Class Newlin moved to unhook the HMMWV. At that time, the entire element came under heavy machine gun fire from two enemy machine guns located in a building approximately 150 meters to their southeast. Captain Stainbrook, First Sergeant Sapp, Second Lieutenant Jackson, Sergeant First Class Newlin, and Private First Class Walker immediately returned fire. First Sergeant Sapp and Captain Stainbrook were hit and severely wounded with debilitating wounds. Captain Stainbrook was hit in the lower right leg and the upper right leg. A Soldier moved to administer first aid to First Sergeant Sapp. Sergeant First Class Newlin identified the source of fire and moved into his Bradley to direct his gunner to return fire. He then exited the Bradley and moved under heavy machine gun fire for 50 meters to Captain Stainbrook. Sergeant First Class Newlin immediately began providing first aid and then with the help of Specialist Walker, carried Captain Stainbrook into the back of his BFV. He directed his BFV to move to the Battalion Aid Station while Specialist Walker administered a tourniquet to Captain Stainbrook, slowing the blood and saving his life. Once in the aid station, Sergeant First Class Newlin helped move Captain Stainbrook from his BFV into the aid station. Once he was assured that Captain Stainbrook was safe, he then remounted his BFV and moved back to the fight. Upon arrival at the objective, Sergeant First Class Newlin assumed a security position with his BFV and began to direct the fight on the ground. In the absence of his Company Commander, Sergeant First Class Newlin took control of the company net, identifying enemy forces in the area and directing mounted and dismounted elements from different units to points of contact. Sergeant First Class Newlin’s BFV came under multiple mortar and small arms fire and was hit with an RPG. Despite the danger, he continued to direct the fight and deliver devastating fire on the enemy throughout the next 8 hours. Upon defeating the enemy, Sergeant First Class Newlin linked up with his dismounted squad and only after ensuring that all friendly elements were no longer in contact, he proceeded to return to his Company Firm Base. The enemy suffered tremendously from this action, resulting in 59 detainees (including 2 identified HVTs) and an unknown number of killed in action. Sergeant First Class Newlin’s courage under heavy enemy fire was directly responsible for saving the life of Captain Stainbrook. He continued to demonstrate his courage by returning to the fight and directing the elements of the company throughout the entire 8-hour battle. Sergeant First Class Newlin’s courageous actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Army and bring great credit upon himself and his unit.