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 Staff Sergeant Robert-Arthur E. Yick, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious service during combat operations in Iraq, while serving with Operational Detachment Alpha 163 (ODA-163), 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, from 20 March 2007 to 25 October 2007. Sergeant Yick’s relentless commitment toward the accomplishment of the challenging special operations function assured the successful completion of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula’s mission in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. 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:
Staff Sergeant Robert-Arthur E. Yick, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as the Junior Medical Sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha 163 (ODA-163), Advanced Operating Base 160, Fire Base STACK, Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, from 20 March 2007 to 25 October 2007. During this period, Staff Sergeant Yick distinguished himself by first assessing Fire Base Stack’s medical facilities and medical supplies on hand. He then reorganized the medical section so that it could better support the Operational Detachment – Alpha (ODA) and ordered extra medical supplies so that the ODA would have a sufficient sustainment package for itself and its Iraqi force partners Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics. Next Staff Sergeant Yick developed an extremely robust Intelligence Targeting Fusion Cell within the ODA, despite lacking any formal training in intelligence analysis; Staff Sergeant Yick began assisting the detachment’s Intelligence Sergeant in fusing intelligence reports into actionable targets. Staff Sergeant Yick began building the ODA’s Target Information Packet database from a historical deficiency to more than 60 Target Information Packets. These packets were instrumental in helping ODA build and receive approval of Operational Concepts and making sure that targeted individuals stayed in prison once captured. Staff Sergeant Yick’s Target Information Packets helped with the capture and detention of dozens of suspected individuals and five mid to high-level targets. He was also responsible for coordinating intelligence gathered by the ODA, the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Multi National Corps-Iraq and other conventional units and agencies, facilitating points of contact for the ODA to exchange and corroborate intelligence. Staff Sergeant Yick participated in numerous combat patrols and raids and helped with the capture of the Advanced Operating Base 160’s number one and Multi National Division-Central’s number five target. He also participated in a company level operation that severely disrupted insurgent activity in the city of Diwaniyah by killing or seriously wounding a number of insurgents involved in attacks on Diwaniyah by killing or seriously wounding a number of insurgents involved in attacks on Coalition Forces. 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.