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 Sergeant First Class Ryan Michael Hendrickson, United States Army, for exceptional gallantry in the face of the enemies of the United States of America with exceptionally valorous conduct as the Engineer Sergeant of Special Operational Detachment-Bravo (SFODB) 7220, Advanced Operations Base-North, Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, on 23 February 2016 during Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL in support of RESOLUTE SUPPORT MISSION IV. On 23 February 2016 members of the 5th, 8th, and 10th Special Operations Kandak tactically advised by SFODA 7223 and SFODB 7220 conducted clearing operations in Nyazullah Qalay Village, Dande Ghori Village, Baghlan Province in order to deny a known Taliban safe haven. Sergeant First Class Hendrickson led a team of National Mine Reduction Group (NMRG) Soldiers ahead of the main effort to clear routes of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), clearing 15 IEDs in the process. While conducting movement to the first compound of interest a member of his element struck a trip wire IED. The element immediately took cover; however, there was no detonation. Sergeant First Class Hendrickson’s team was then immediately ambushed by heavy enemy machine gun, small arms and RPG fire from approximately 15 meters away. Sergeant First Class Hendrickson immediately directed his NMRG team to place suppressive fires on the enemy while providing detailed terminal attack guidance which enabled an F-16 Close Air Support (CAS) platform conduct a strike on fortified enemy fighting positions Danger Close to his position. Sergeant First Class Hendrickson assessed that his element needed to maneuver away from the enemy’s position to ensure the safety of his NMRG members. He quickly led the element to bound back to a friendly position. By creating additional distance between his team and the enemy, air assets were able to successfully neutralize the enemy during a second air strike. After the smoke cleared following Air to Ground engagements, Sergeant First Class Hendrickson immediately began clearing a path for friendly forces by leading his team to clear several complex IEDs designed to target friendly dismounted elements. During exfiltration the element was reengaged by heavy and effective enemy PKM, RPG, sniper, and mortar fire which resulted in multiple U.S and partner force casualties. Sergeant First Class Hendrickson directed Afghan Commandos who were pinned down and separated from the main element to maneuver to and gain cover behind his position. Under heavy enemy fire Sergeant First Class Hendrickson directed friendly elements to a nearby compound where the Causalities Collection Point (CCP) was established. After conducting head count Sergeant First Class Hendrickson realized that two partner force members were missing. Sergeant First Class Hendrickson organized a team to locate and recover the separated and potentially wounded friendly forces. Sergeant First Class Hendrickson had to be held back numerous times while air support conducted additional attacks on enemy positions. Once the air-to-ground engagements were complete, Sergeant First Class Hendrickson selflessly maneuvered the recovery team under enemy small arms fire to retrieve the missing friendlies. Upon reaching the two missing Soldiers, they discovered that the Soldiers had been mortally wounded. Sergeant First Class Hendrickson then utilized a ladder as a litter to help carry the wounded Soldiers to the CCP while his element continued to engage enemy forces with suppressive fires. Sergeant First Class Hendrickson actions prevented the Taliban forces from recovering the bodies of friendly forces which ensured all partner force members were accounted for leaving no one behind. Sergeant First Class Hendrickson’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan/Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan and the United States Army.