Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    10th Special Forces

    Action Date:

    September 13, 2011

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Richard G. Harris, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan, on 13 September 2011. On that date, Staff Sergeant Harris and his team were patrolling on all-terrain vehicles when they were ambushed and became separated. An insurgent force estimated at 20 to 30 began firing rocket-propelled grenades, sniper rifles and AK-47s at the five-person Army Special Forces unit. Staff Sergeant Harris took cover behind a small shed, returned fire. A rocket-propelled grenade exploded near him, showering him with shrapnel, rocks and debris, and knocking him out. When he came to, Harris could see a comrade on the ground. There were trees on the mountain side but no cover between his comrade and the insurgents firing their weapons from behind a mud wall. Staff Sergeant Harris noticed that his comrade’s’ body had been moved by the insurgents who he suspected were trying to drag the U.S. soldier to their position. Firing his M-4 rifle, Staff Sergeant Harris ran to his comrade and dragged him downhill, closer to the enemy to take cover behind the mud wall and not expose his back to gunfire. He then met up with his team, airstrikes were called in, mortars were fired at the insurgents, and his comrade’s body was loaded on to an ATV and medevaced out. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.