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 Al J. Garcia, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, on 22 April 2011 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant Al J. Garcia distinguished himself through heroism and gallantry at the risk of his own life in action against an enemy of the United States as a Scout Team Leader for Scout Platoon, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Staff Sergeant Garcia crossed 40 meters of kill zone under withering enemy fire on two consecutive occasions to remove wounded comrades from danger. On the night of 22 April 2011, Staff Sergeant Garcia was leading his assault Team on a TF CURRAHEE Focused Targeting Force, Air Assault raid to neutralize an insurgent weapons cache in Menjo Kala, Yahya Khel District, Paktika Province, Afghanistan, as part of Operation OPEN SEASON. Two hours into the operation, Dealer 3-6’s western blocking position sustained casualties when they came under intense fire from small arms, RPGs, and hand grenades. Staff Sergeant Garcia’s team immediately mobilized from the primary objective area to aid the element under fire. Staff Sergeant Garcia arrived to discover that the blocking position had sustained multiple casualties, at which point he provided immediate suppressive fire on the Mosque where a well-armed and determined Squad-sized enemy element had established a heavily-fortified position. Three wounded comrades were in the kill zone between friendly positions and the Mosque. Staff Sergeant Garcia led his team to clear an adjacent structure in order to establish a secure CCP and attempt to find a route to the casualties. After gaining control of the structure, he moved to the roof to identify friendly casualty locations. Staff Sergeant Garcia determined that the only route to the casualties led through the kill zone. Staff Sergeant Garcia advised his Platoon Leader of the situation and took the initiative to recover his critically wounded and imperiled comrades. As Blacksheep !A’s team fired less than one meter over his head to suppress enemy positions, Staff Sergeant Garcia led his three-man team over 40 meters into the kill zone under continuous fire and personally secured Specialist Mendes while his team recovered an ANA casualty and suppressed enemy positions. Staff Sergeant Garcia bounded back to cover, while under continuous enemy fire, and returned the two casualties to the safety of the friendly element. His team immediately prepared to recover Sergeant Castro, lying two meters from enemy fighting positions. Under heavy contact from PKM and AK-47 fire, with hand grenades impacting around them, Staff Sergeant Garcia led his team back into the kill zone. Staff Sergeant Garcia and Specialist Wilder moved to within two meters of the enemy position, secured Sergeant Castro, and carried him to safety, while under enemy fire, including an enemy grenade that wounded Specialist Wilder. Exhausted and disoriented from the close-range blast, Staff Sergeant Garcia pushed his team to reach cover while successfully recovering Sergeant Castro’s body from the enemy’s grasp. His courageous inspiring leadership and utter selflessness saved the lives of his comrades and is fully deserving of the Silver Star for gallantry under fire. Staff Sergeant Garcia’s actions are in keeping with the finest military traditions and reflect great credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army.