Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Specialist

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

    Action Date:

    April 22, 2011

    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 Jacob Wilder, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 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:
    Specialist Jacob Wilder distinguished himself through marked heroism and gallantry at the risk of his life in action against an enemy of the United States as an Assistant Scout Team Leader for Scout Platoon, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). On the night of 22 April 2011, Specialist Wilder was a member of Assault Team One during a Task Force 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. During the operation, Dealer 3-6’s western blocking position (BP) came under intense enemy fire from small arms, rocket-propelled grenade, hand grenades, and sustained casualties. Specialist Wilder was on the primary objective when the BP received their casualties, and was instructed to prepare for movement by his team leader. As his element moved to the sound of contact to reach the kill zone, Specialist Wilder laid suppressive fire on the Mosque where a well-armed and determined enemy squad was waging a fight to the death. Specialist Wilder’s team cleared a structure to provide cover for the casualties. From the roof of the structure, Specialist Wilder and his team successfully identified friendly casualty locations in the midst of continuing enemy fire. Given the option to stay and suppress or join the rescue team, fully understanding the risks of moving directly into heavy enemy fire and with complete disregard for his own safety, Specialist Wilder chose to enter the kill zone to rescue the wounded American and Afghan Soldiers. Specialist Wilder and his team sprinted 40 meters into the kill zone under continuous enemy PKM, AK-47 and AK-74 fire as friendly elements fired less than two meters over their heads, to recover Specialist Mendes and an Afghan Army casualty. Specialist Wilder faced enemy positions at a range of less than 10 meters to provide continuous covering fire as Staff Sergeant Garcia and Specialist Stone carried two casualties to safety. After moving the two casualties to safety, Specialist Wilder again entered the kill zone under enemy fire to retrieve Sergeant Castro, who was no more than two meters from the enemy position. Specialist Wilder and Staff Sergeant Garcia moved directly to Sergeant Castro’s location and carried him to safety while Specialist Stone suppressed the enemy position. As Specialist Wilder evacuated Sergeant Castro, a grenade detonated and wounded him. Despite his wounds, Specialist Wilder immediately rejoined the fight and cleared an adjacent qalat to bring Dealer 3-6 to safety. On this night, Specialist Wilder voluntarily entered the kill zone under fire on two consecutive occasions to assist wounded comrades. With exceptional gallantry under fire, Specialist Wilder was instrumental in retrieving isolated casualties, as well as saving the lives of his American and Afghan comrades. Specialist Wilder’s actions are in keeping with the finest military traditions and reflect distinct credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army.