Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Chief Warrant Officer Three (CW-3)

    Regiment:

    1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Action Date:

    August 28, 2013

    DOD Listing at www.valor.defense.gov

    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 Three (CW-3) Mark H. Colbert, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as the Company Warrant Officer for Special Forces Advanced Operating Base 1430, Special Operations Task Force-Southeast, Forward Operating Base Ghazni, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 28 August 2013. Chief Colbert distinguished himself by courageously responding to an insurgent suicide attack on FOB Ghazni. His complete disregard for his own safety while in close combat with insurgent forces resulted in the obliteration of the enemy, denying their penetration of the FOB and saving countless Soldiers’ and civilians’ lives. 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, Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan, the United States Forces-Afghanistan and the United States Army.
    NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
    Chief Warrant Officer Three Mark H. Colbert heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as a Company Warrant Officer, Advanced Operating Base 1430, Special Operations Task Force-Southeast, Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 28 August 2013, insurgents (INS) conducted a spectacular, complex attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ghazni initiated by a vehicle borne improvised explosive device on the east perimeter wall, near the airfield. Chief Colbert, with complete disregard for his own safety, rushed to the site of the breach and sound of small arms fire on a non-tactical vehicle with two other special operators in order to provide any needed assistance. Unbeknownst to him at the time, ten INS in Afghan National Army uniforms armed with small arms, grenades, grenade launchers and suicide vests had poured through the breach following the blast with the intent of inflicting mass casualties. Upon his arrival, Chief Colbert and his fellow special operators began immediately receiving effective fire from three INS. Chief Colbert quickly identified two INSD within twenty-five meters of his location and one INS at a distance of 100 meters. Instantly, he positively identified the enemy threat and engaged and destroyed the INS nearest to his location while the other two special operators destroyed the remaining two INS. He then continued to advance towards the engagement area with another special operator by attempting to turn a corner where they immediately encountered six additional INS also dressed in ANA uniforms and at a distance of less than twenty meters. Chief Colbert and other special operators became decisively engaged by the INS forces’ effective enemy small arms and 30-mm. grenade launcher fire. In the exchange, the second special operator was wounded and went down. Chief Colbert instantly exposed himself into the direct line of fire to pull his fellow special operator behind cover, saving his life. During this act, Chief Colbert suffered a gunshot wound, but continued to fight on. Simultaneously, three additional special operators arrived on scene in a non-standard vehicle and, placing it between Chief Colbert’s position and the enemy’s, dismounted and began engaging INS. While moving the wounded special operator further out of the line of fire he continued to engage INS with suppressive fire. Additional Soldiers loaded the wounded special operator onto a vehicle for immediate evacuation to the FOB Forward Surgical Team unit. Chief Colbert then rejoined the fight despite being wounded. He next directed newly arrived mounted coalition forces to secure the FOB perimeter breach while organizing and leading a combined maneuver element forward into the enemy engagement area against an unknown sized INS force. Chief Colbert led his ground force through a systematic clearance of an area congested with storage containers and connexes. During the clearance, they encountered and engaged up to six additional enemy to include one INS, who appeared to be incapacitated, managed to throw a hand grenade at Chief Colbert and then instantly detonated his suicide vest less than 10 feet from his position. While continuing to engage multiple INS as he led his ad hoc maneuver element forward, a second INS detonated his suicide vest near another special operator and a U.S. Soldier, mortally wounding the latter. Chief Colbert continued to lead his element towards enemy combatants destroying them during an intense exchange of direct enemy fire, when a third INS attacked two special operators near him with a hand grenade and subsequently detonated his suicide vest. Chief Colbert’s courageous leadership, valiant actions and calm demeanor during adversity above and beyond the call of duty prevented the INS ground assault from penetrating the interior of the FOB. His efforts contained the enemy to the edge of the airfield, and saved the lives of hundreds of Soldiers, coalition partners and civilians. 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, Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan, the United States Forces-Afghanistan and the United States Army.