The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Master Sergeant William A. Robles, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious service while serving with Operational Detachment Alpha 012 (ODA-012), 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, from 17 November 2004 to 1 July 2005. His outstanding dedication to duty during combat operations in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming success of the Command’s mission. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Master Sergeant William A. Robles distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as a Special Forces Operations Sergeant, for Operational Detachment Alpha 012 (ODA-012), Baghdad, Iraq, from 17 November 2004 to 1 July 2005, during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. Master Sergeant Robles was responsible for managing the daily operations of the detachment and an entire U.S. Forward Operational Base (FOB), including an Iraqi urban reconnaissance element, a U.S. Army National Guard force, a large government agency contingent, and a Special Operations Command Task Force. Master Sergeant Robles’ ability to coordinate logistical requirements, 24-hour operations, and base defense operations was instrumental to the operational success and force protection of over 150 U.S. and Iraqi personnel. Master Sergeant Robles was personally responsible for the planning and execution of over 10 targeted raids throughout the dangerous Al Anbar province of Iraq, many in the intensely denied streets of Ar Ramadi. His outstanding supervision of the detachment’s Sensitive Site Exploitation (SSE) teams and tactical interrogations contributed directly to the detention of over 80 Anti-Iraqi Forces personnel, to include five High-Value Targets (HVT) and one number one HVT for Ar Ramadi. During operations in support of the Iraqi national elections, Master Sergeant Robles led one of the detachment’s two split teams supporting the FIRST Marine Division’s security efforts. At a time when 26 improvised explosive devices were detonated within 24 hours in the city, he provided invaluable situational awareness to conventional forces and direct over watch for a conventional platoon while they evacuated personnel from a destroyed High Mobility Multipurpose Wheel Vehicle. Master Sergeant Robles personally managed part of the detachment’s Advanced Special Operations (ASO) program, developing numerous target packages and contributing directly to the detachment’s and FIRST Marine Division’s successful ASO operations. During a challenging move to Baghdad, Iraq, Master Sergeant Robles took charge of a newly established U.S. FOB near the extremely dangerous Haifa Street area of central Baghdad. His experience and leadership in coordinating the base administrative and security operations with two conventional mechanized companies and one Iraqi Army battalion ensured a stable and secure transition during this period, with no friendly casualties or loss to operational capability. Master Sergeant Robles’ contributions were crucial to the rapid development and execution of Programs of Instruction (POIs) for a 35-man Iraqi Army strike element and 12-man Iraqi urban reconnaissance element. His leadership enabled the detachment to successfully complete training and immediately transition into steady state operations in the most dangerous area of Baghdad, enabling the 1st Battalion to be the first operationally independent Battalion in the 6th Iraqi Army. Master Sergeant Robles’ professionalism, competence and dedication to duty were essential to the success of the advanced special operations and foreign internal defense missions and contributed directly to the success of the Iraqi national elections. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.