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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class David Nunez, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as the Senior Engineer Sergeant for Operational Detachment Alpha 7326 (ODA-7326), Company B, 3d Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in combat action against enemy forces in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Farah Province, Afghanistan, on 29 May 2008. Sergeant First Class Nunez’s heroic actions during combat operations in Afghanistan were critical to his element’s survival in combat against insurgent enemy forces. Sergeant First Class Nunez’s bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his command, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant First Class David Nunez, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself through exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as a Senior Engineer Sergeant, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM on 29 May 2008. During this period Sergeant First Class Nunez was a part of a combined Afghan National Army (ANA) and U.S. Special Forces patrol in the high plain desert in the vicinity of Shewan Village, Farah Province in Western Afghanistan. As the convoy traveled through the village it immediately became engaged by an enemy force estimated at 40-60 insurgents firing from both the north and south sides of the road. Sergeant First Class Nunez’s vehicle was located in the center of the convoy and as his vehicle moved through the enemy’s kill zone it began receiving heavy small arms, medium machine gun and Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) fire. In total disregard for his own safety, he immediately began returning fire and identifying enemy positions for the main turret gunner to engage. As his vehicle continued through the ambush line it was struck by RPGs, disabling it in the kill zone, where enemy fire was the heaviest. Sergeant First Class Nunez continued to suppress and identify enemy positions until he was severely wounded as a result of shrapnel from an RPG. Almost simultaneously his vehicle caught fire and secondary explosions were occurring at a rapid rate. Sergeant First Class Nunez, believing that other Soldiers were still in the vehicle and without regard for his own life began to discard ammunition and explosives from the rear of the vehicle in order to ensure others were not injured. During this entire period of time, Sergeant First Class Nunez was engulfed in flames. Ignoring his wounds and the intense concentration of enemy fire, he continued to assist the convoy pinned in the kill zone until he eventually succumbed to his injuries. Sergeant First Class Nunez displayed outstanding leadership, extreme tactical competence, composure under fire and bravery while giving his life to ensure the safe return of 25 U.S. Soldiers and 80 ANA Soldiers. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.