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 Chief Warrant Officer One (CW-1) Jason Alan Deming, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Assistant Detachment Commander, Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha 7234 (ODA-7234), Special Operations Task Force-West, Afghanistan, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 23 April 2012. Warrant Officer One Deming distinguished himself by repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire to ensure the safety of his team after his patrol was caught in a near ambush. By eliminating multiped threats while exposed to overwhelming odds, he saved the lives of at least three of his team members. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Warrant Officer One Jason A. Deming, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself in the face of the enemy of the United States as a Special Forces Assistant Detachment Commander, Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha 7234, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), U. S. Army Special Operations Command, while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 23 April, 2012. WO1 Deming was the Ground Force Commander while conducting a route recon of alternate routes through Nangabad village, Khake-Safed District, Farah Province, Afghanistan. During this recon through Nangabad village, the patrol was caught in a near ambush. WO1 Deming was forced to change the planned route due to the discovery of an unmarked dead-end alley. Unknown to the patrol, enemy insurgents had three personnel maneuvering towards them 15 meters around the corner, two with AK-47s, and one with an RPG. Providing over watch for the enemy maneuver element were two covered, static fighting positions. These enemy positions were established on rooftops within 50 meters from the patrol with intersecting fields of fire. Both enemy positions contained two insurgents armed with a PKM and AK-47. Upon the lead vehicle entering the intersection WO1 Deming was met by five insurgents, each with fields of fire covering his position. Without hesitation, WO1 Deming first eliminated the RPG bearer causing the RPG to be fired inaccurately, scarcely missing the lead vehicle. This quick decision saved the lives of at least three coalition forces and one local national interpreter. WO1 Deming then dismounted the vehicle and advanced towards the enemy while returning accurate fire, killing the other two dismounted insurgents in the alley, while also suppressing the southern enemy over watch position. Without regard for personal safety, WO1 Deming’s quick reaction when exposed to automatic and small arms fire allowed Sergeant First Class David L. Craig the opportunity to back the lead vehicle out of the kill zone. After the lead vehicle was removed from the intersection, WO1 Deming maneuvered to cover and the insurgents quickly gained fire superiority pinning the patrol in the alleyway. WO1 Deming proceeded to establish situational awareness while gaining the status of the entire patrol. He disseminated the composition and disposition of the enemy insurgents and commanded the rear element to place fires towards the southern PKM fighting position. During this time, WO1 Deming repeatedly exposed himself around the corner of the alley drawing fire from the southern position away from the rear element. This selfless action allowed MSG Sanchez to gain access to a rooftop adjacent to the alley, where he was able to eliminate one insurgent armed with an AK47, manning the southern fighting position, and also eradicate one PKM gunner manning the western position. During this time, WO1 Deming never lost his composure and swiftly directed the employment of M-240B and M-249 fire, as well as calling for and directing M-320 40-mm. HE grenades in order to achieve fire superiority. The employment of the M-320 by Sergeant First Class Craig was able to suppress the southern fighting position, now manned with a PKM. At this time, WO1 Deming determined the patrol had gained momentum back from the enemy and with Icom chatter depicting that enemy reinforcements were on the way, he quickly developed, organized, and disseminated the order to load the vehicles and prepare to break contact. In order to maneuver the patrol out of the alley and into insurgent dead space, WO1 Deming threw smoke grenades to mask the movement of the patrol. Once again, without regard for personal safety WO1 Deming, along with MSG Sanchez valiantly exposed themselves to enemy fire, suppressing the insurgent fighters with their M-4s. This bold maneuver allowed each of the patrol vehicles to move through the kill zone untouched. WO1 Deming and MSG Sanchez continued through the kill zone on foot and rejoined the element. Still poised, WO1 Deming ensured all men were safely out of the danger area while employing the heavy weapon platforms to lay down suppressive fires in order to cover the egress out of the village. He then proceeded to lead the patrol outside of enemy effective fire range and conducted consolidation and reorganization procedures. WOE Deming’s gallantry and decisive action while alone in the sights of five heavily armed insurgent combatants, as well as his selfless decision to repeatedly expose himself to enemy fire, without question saved the lives of at least three of his teammates and led to killing a total of five insurgents with zero U.S. casualties. WO1 Deming’s courage, initiative and indomitable fighting spirit were performed with marked distinction. His actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, and the United States Army.