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 Master Sergeant Michael F. Sears, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed enemy of the United States near the village of Mostowfi Waghez District, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, on 29 September 2012. On that date, Sergeant Sears’ combat prowess and skills were instrumental in neutralizing an improvised explosive device with two separate initiation triggers in order to provide freedom of movement to his convoy. After the route was cleared, Sergeant Sears’ convoy was ambushed by the enemy in a complex attack from two well-fortified positions with rocket propelled grenades and snipers. A grenade struck the Polish Command vehicle, critically wounding its driver. Sergeant Sears immediately recognized the seriousness of the developing enemy ambush and with total disregard for his own safety, made the decision to dismount his vehicle in a known improvised explosive device infested area to move to a better vantage point where he could positively identify and engage the enemy. After dismounting his vehicle, Sergeant Sears witnessed a rocket propelled grenade fly within three to five feet of his truck’s turret and continue on to strike the Polish command vehicle in the driver’s side door. Without hesitation, again disregarding his own safety and realizing the threat from the insurgents’ rocket propelled grenades and sniper fire, Sergeant Sears left the cover of his vehicle to run through 50 feet of open terrain to the aid of the wounded Soldier. As Sergeant Sears arrived at the vehicle, the Polish Soldier fell out of the vehicle into the enemy’s life of fire. Sergeant Sears instinctively reacted and caught the wounded Soldier with his left arm bearing the Soldier’s entire weight, injuring his left shoulder while maintaining positive control of his M4 carbine with his right arm. Grimacing through the pain, and while still being heavily engaged, Sergeant Sears used his body to protect the driver from heavy enemy fire, and he immediately began administering lifesaving tactical combat casualty care. After directly engaging the enemy, he placed a tourniquet on the Soldier’s leg and checked his vital signs before sprinting again across open terrain through heavy gunfire to retrieve a Polish medic. He continued to provide protective fire for himself and the medic while sprinting back to the wounded Soldier in order to move the Soldier under better cover for further medical treatment. During this two-hour firefight, Sergeant Sears’ actions enabled the safe extraction of the injured Soldier and the disabled vehicle while ensuring the continued safety of his 33-person convoy. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Sergeant Sears has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.