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 Captain (Infantry) Michael D. Rose, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious service while serving as Commanding Officer, Operational Detachment Alpha 014 (ODA-014), 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, from 15 November 2004 to 25 June 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:
Captain Michael D. Rose distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States, as the Detachment Commander for Operational Detachment Alpha 014 (ODA-014), Baghdad, Iraq, from 15 November 2004 to 25 June 2005, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Captain Rose commanded Operational Detachment Alpha 014 on over 22 combat direct action missions and over 100 combat patrols and convoy movements with no loss of personnel or equipment while achieving tactical and operational successes of over 30 detainees, exploitable documentation, computer paraphernalia, and weapons. His leadership directly led to a reduced insurgency capability in the western area of operations of Iraq and Baghdad, and increased conventional force effectiveness in the counterinsurgency. An example of the product of Captain Rose’s planning, training, and execution with ODA 014 occurred on the night of 27 December 2004, in a combined operation with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 23d Marine Regiment, and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31 MEU) Deep Reconnaissance Platoon. Captain Rose led this joint force in an assault on six separate targets in the insurgent held areas of Baghdad and Hit, Iraq, which resulted in 10 detainees, all of which were processed and sent to long-term detention in the Al Asad area. The success of this operation enabled further targeting in the area of operations, while decreasing the threat and intimidation of the populace by Anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF) in these areas. Captain Rose sustained this operation tempo and success for 90 days, receiving high accolades from the 31st MEU commander, and the FIRST Marine Division Commander, Major General Natonski, for the team’s contribution to the fight in the Al Anbar province. The ODA received a change of mission to conduct Foreign Internal Defense (FID) with an Iraqi Army (IA) battalion in Baghdad. On 1 February 2005, he rapidly task organized the team for movement and eight days later all 11 U.S. Special Forces, and Air Force personnel in his charge moved safely from Al Asad to Baghdad after 17 combat operations in one of the most remote and contested areas of Iraq. Upon arrival in Baghdad, the ODA began developing a Strike and Reconnaissance capability in the 6th Iraqi Army Division. Captain Rose quickly built rapport and established a training plan with the 1st Battalion, 2d Brigade, 6th Iraqi Division which involved a strenuous 45-day remote training period at Taji, Iraq, and culminated in Strike and Reconnaissance platoons capable of continuous operations. His detachment validated their training by running clandestine reconnaissance combined direct action operations, which resulted in the detention of over 20 insurgents. Captain Rose and ODA 014 developed one of the first four battalions capable of independent operations in Baghdad. His efforts directly resulted in significant progress creating freedom and stability in Iraq. 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.