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 Warrant Officer One Robert A. Hinsley, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy on 9 March 2013, while serving as Assistant Detachment Commander, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3134, Special Operations Task Force-East, Achin District, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Mister Hinsley distinguished himself by fearlessly engaging a large enemy force and coordinating fires to recover friendly forces trapped in the open and under heavy enemy fire. Mister Hinsley personally retrieved critical weapon systems and supplies by traveling across open engagement areas; had he not done so, enemy forces would have been able to significantly challenge, and likely compromise, friendly defenses. 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 Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Warrant Officer One Robert A. Hinsley, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as Assistant Detachment Commander, Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha 3134, Special Operations Task Force-East, Achin District, Afghanistan, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 09 March 2013, Mister Hinsley was part of a combined operation with Afghan partner forces on a mission to survey conditions around southern Achin District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan and engage local leaders. The area had been reported as an enemy stronghold where weapons, narcotics, improvised explosive device (lED) components, and assembled devices were openly sold, exchanged, and employed. Enemy forces were under the leadership of known powerful regional commanders. The purpose of the patrol was to improve conditions for the ODA’s mission of training local security forces. Mister Hinsley was traveling with and led a combined 15-Soldier dismounted element along the eastern flank of friendly forces traveling south. His duties required him to perform as early warning of enemy hostilities. As the column traveled into the Shadel Bazaar, a known hub of enemy commerce and operations planning, friendly forces became canalized by the urban construction and open irrigated agriculture terrain. As Mister Hinsley was observing that local shop owners and residents had fled the area, enemy forces initiated a three sided ambush. Enemy forces were estimated at over 100 fighters during the initial volley; the numbers would swell with regional reinforcements as the engagement continued over eight hours. During the initial engagement, which lasted over two hours, many friendly forces were caught in open fields and fixed by the overwhelming enemy fire. Mister Hinsley immediately deployed smoke and suppressive fire, while exposed to enemy fire, to allow friendly forces a chance to reach effective cover. Mister Hinsely’s personal engagement of the enemy, coordination of fires, and tactical guidance directly contributed to preventing almost certain injury or death of friendly forces caught in the open and unable to move under enemy fire. As the engagement progressed, Mister Hinsley was essential to ensuring friendly forces had an accurate comprehension of enemy locations and inspired soldiers never previously engaged by the enemy to resist multiple enemy offensive efforts. Realizing that enemy forces were traveling through canals offering defilade from direct-fire weapons, Mister Hinsley crossed an open danger area exposed to enemy fire to retrieve a grenade launcher from a vehicle over 100 meters away. The employment of the grenade launcher, and additional supplies he carried back, directly contributed to friendly forces being able to deny the enemy further advancement. Over the course of the prolonged engagement, Mister Hinsley repeatedly volunteered to assume fighting positions at substantial risk, in order to command and inspire other friendly elements as the enemy attempted to envelope or isolate friendly positions. 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 Special Operations Joint Task Force Afghanistan, and the United States Army.