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 Master Sergeant Anthony S. Pryor, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Team Sergeant of Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 511 (ODA-511), Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) during a combat mission in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, in Afghanistan, during a search mission for suspected terrorists from 23 to 24 January 2002. During a night combat assault in Afghanistan, Master Sergeant Pryor, while at great peril to himself, capably led his team through intense automatic weapons fire coming from less than twenty-five meters away. Without hesitation and with total disregard for his own personal safety, Master Sergeant Pryor attacked directly into the continuous enemy fire. His initiative and leadership prevented the detachment from being pinned down in the initial entry point because of his continuous attack. He single-handedly killed four enemy personnel at close range including one enemy fighter in hand-to-hand combat. Master Sergeant Pryor sustained a dislocated shoulder during the struggle, but continued to fight and lead his men. He repeatedly rendered himself to continuous and intense enemy fire while leading his team to the successful accomplishment of the mission. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Master Sergeant Pryor reflected credit upon himself, the United States Special Forces Command, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.