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Staff Sergeant Caldwell was one of four members of the Utah National Guard Special Forces that was awarded the Silver Star in 2018 in Utah. Only the last names of the four soldiers was released.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    19th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Action Date:

    August 16, 2017

    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 Rick Caldwell, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Senior Medical Sergeant for Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha 9522, Advanced Operations Base-Central, while deployed during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in support of Resolute Support Mission. On 16 august 2017, Staff Sergeant Caldwell distinguished himself heroically when, without hesitation, he exposed himself innumerable times to sustained enemy fire while taking control of a mass casualty event and delivering life-saving aid to wounded comrades in the wake of a devastating explosion. Staff Sergeant Rick C. Caldwell’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Special Operations Task Force- Afghanistan, the NATO Operations Component Command-Afghanistan/Special Operations Joint Task Force- Afghanistan, and the United States Army.
    NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD
    Staff Sergeant Rick C. Caldwell, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy while serving as the Senior Medical Sergeant for Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (SFODA) 9522, Advanced Operations Base-Central, Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, during Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL in support of RESOLUTE SUPPORT Mission. On 16 August 2017, SSG Caldwell was a combat advisor to the 8th Special Operations Kandak (Commando) during a deliberate clearance operation of the highly contested Mohmand Valley in Southern Nangarhar, Afghanistan, when his element suffered a devastating Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) after an explosive weapon of undetermined origin detonated inside the building they had been clearing. The explosion left the element reeling as they had already fought for eight hours through arid mountainous terrain while receiving near constant enemy fire. Despite the powerful concussive force of the blast, SSG Caldwell reacted immediately as he began to collect and assess the wounded. It was he who first recognized the mass casualty for what it was and, in the midst of the chaos and panic of the explosion’s aftermath, took charge of the grievous medical situation. Several individuals had been killed instantly and many more required immediate medical attention. While others were still grappling with the reality of their predicament, Staff Sergeant Caldwell was already directing the organization and management of a flood of patients, stopping only to deliver critical life-saving interventions. He performed no less than four surgical procedures in the field that day. Before the magnitude of the situation could even be assessed, fighters of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria- Khorasan Province {ISlS-K) sought to exploit the damage already inflicted by the blast and launched a coordinated attack on the element’s position. SSG Caldwell continued to race from patient to patient, still controlling the nightmarish situation while receiving heavy and effective enemy fire. After running back inside the stricken building to ensure that no men or weapons had been left behind, he communicated critical information to the ground force commander that was essential in coordinating an aerial medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), all while intermittently exchanging fire with the emboldened enemy holding the high ground. While inescapably exposed at the staging area, he displayed exemplary clinical judgment matched with devoted care as he prioritized patients for MEDEVAC and helped coordinate the load-out of the arriving aircraft himself. After the evacuation of the most critically injured, he escorted the remaining wounded to the rear where he continued to manage their treatment. Staff Sergeant Caldwell had overcome an overwhelming crisis; later it would be determined that over 30 individuals had been wounded with four ultimately succumbing to their injuries. Staff Sergeant Caldwell’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, the NATO Special Operations Component Command- Afghanistan/Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan, and the United States Army.