The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal to Staff Sergeant Eliseo Camil Florendo, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious service as an Intelligence Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge and Advisor for the 1st Battalion, 2d Public Order Brigade, Special Police Transition Team, Civilian Police Assistance Training Team while deployed with the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 7 June 2005 to 27 March 2008. Staff Sergeant Florendo’s emphasis on training and tactical decision making was a direct contributor to the Battalion’s operational successes in joint missions. Providing security to 11 Polling sites for the October Constitutional Referendum and 24 polling sites for the December National General Elections, his pre-mission briefs provided valuable intelligence and contributed to the saving of Soldiers’ lives. He demonstrated personal courage and bravery by conducting over 100 combat patrols along some of the most dangerous roads in and around Mahmoudyah, Suleihk and Baghdad. He left an indelible imprint on a credible and capable Iraqi Security infrastructure. His dynamic leadership and numerous achievements contributed substantially to the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq mission of developing and sustaining Iraqi Security Forces. The singularly outstanding accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Florendo have been in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, and reflect distinct credit on himself and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant Florendo, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as the Intelligence Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Public Affairs Noncommissioned Officer in Charge and Non-Commissioned Officer Advisor for the 1st Battalion, 2d Public Order Brigade Special Police Transition Team while deployed with the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, from 7 June 2005 to 27 March 2006 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sergeant Florendo superbly coached, taught and mentored the fledgling Noncommissioned Officer corps of the 1st Battalion. Through his tireless efforts, the performance of the special police improved tremendously over the past year. In Mahmoudiyah, Suleihk, and Baghdad, he worked with the senior enlisted soldiers of the battalion. The battalion was successful in their missions throughout their operations in these disparate areas of Iraq. Staff Sergeant Florendo’s leadership and organizational skills were instrumental in the basic skills training program. With his extensive experience in weapons training, tactical decision making, and as an Infantryman he added specific and detailed courses on leadership, accountability and weapon proficiency. He acted as primary trainer for over 130 Iraqi policemen in the battalion while also running them through several small arms ranges for qualification. Staff Sergeant Florendo’s emphasis was a direct contributor to the unit’s operational successes in joint missions and providing security to over 11 polling sites for the October Constitutional Referendum and over 24 polling sites for the December National General Elections. Because of Staff Sergeant Florendo’s efforts, the senior Non Commissioned Officers of the battalion have become a self-sustaining battalion. As team intelligence Non Commissioned Officer In Charge, he gathered vital information for pre-mission briefs which potentially saved soldier lives. He helped develop pre-combat checks and battle drills for a team with very limited combat experience, providing proficiency in combat missions. He mentored the junior servicemen on the team, providing stability in an uncertain and fluid environment. Staff Sergeant Florendo’s efforts with the enlisted members of the battalion have played a key role in shaping that battalion’s ability to contribute to Iraq’s security and has left an indelible imprint on a credible and capable Iraqi security infrastructure. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Eliseo Camil Florendo, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous achievement as a member of the Special Police Transition Team, Civilian Police Assistance Training Team while deployed with the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM III, on 7 July 2005. Staff Sergeant Florendo established himself as a true hero in combat. His exemplary action while under fire proved to be a factor in saving the life of a fellow soldier. Ever fearless and composed, he continuously provided life-saving treatment to a fellow soldier without fear of the enemy small arms fire and mortar fire landing around him. Had it not been for his quick and effective treatment to control the bleeding of the soldier’s severe facial wounds, the soldier would not have survived transportation to the hospital. His dynamic leadership and numerous achievements contributed substantially to the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq mission of developing and sustaining Iraqi Security Forces. His bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon him, this command, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant Eliseo C. Florendo is commended for exceptionally valorous achievements, while under direct and indirect fire in combat operations while serving as a member of Special Police Transition Team supporting a Public Order Battalion, Civilian Police Assistance Training Team (CPATT), Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq (MNSTC-I) on 7 July 2005. On 7 July 20905, while en route to a link up with 3d Company, 1st Battalion, 2d Public Order Brigade at the Suleihk Compound, the Special Police Tactics Team (SPTT) was attacked with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), mortar fire, and small arms fire. The IED that was used to initiate the attack punched through the driver’s side window of the trail vehicle and exited in two places through the roof of the passenger’s side. The blast was large enough to lift the tail end of the lead vehicle which was approximately sixty meters away. Fragments that passed through the trail vehicle seriously injured Sergeant First Class Mittman by causing massive facial trauma, fractured bones in his left hand, and completely ripped out and disintegrated three bones in his right hand. Staff Sergeant Florendo was directly responsible for saving the life of Sergeant First Class Jeffrey Mittman. It was Staff Sergeant Florendo’s quick assessment of the situation and quick application of vital lifesaving skills that slowed the severe bleeding from Sergeant First Class Mittman’s facial wounds. If not for his quick reaction and ability to stay calm under fire, Sergeant First Class Mittman would not have lived long enough to be treated by medics or the MEDEV AC that arrived later. While Sergeant First Class Mittman was being pulled from the destroyed vehicle, two to three mortar rounds landed approximately two hundred meters away from the site. Small arms fire was also observed. During this time, Staff Sergeant Florendo was the first on site to render assistance to Sergeant First Class Mittman. He quickly grabbed the Combat Life Saver Bag and quickly applied the initial dressings to Sergeant First Class Mittman’s face in his attempts to control the bleeding. The bleeding and the wounds proved to be so severe that Staff Sergeant Florendo soon had to apply a stomach bandage to control the bleeding. As the bleeding slowed, a medic arrived on site which he further assisted. Together, they were able to further slow the bleeding and start an IV. Staff Sergeant Florendo continued to work diligently with the medic to further stabilize Sergeant First Class Mittman for the crucial minutes leading up to the arrival of the MEDEV AC team. It was later reported that Sergeant First Class Mittman went into cardiac arrest during the MEDEV AC flight to the 86th Combat Support Hospital. If it was not for the quick and decisive action prompted by Staff Sergeant Florendo, Sergeant First Class Jeffrey Mittman would not have been able to be resuscitated. It is due to the actions of Staff Sergeant Eliseo Florendo that Sergeant First Class Mittman is alive today. Staff Sergeant Florendo established himself as a true hero in combat. His exemplary action while under fire proved to be a direct factor in saving the life of Sergeant First Class Jeffery Mittman. Ever fearless, he continuously gave lifesaving treatment to Sergeant First Class Mittman without fear of enemy mortar and small arms fire that were landing around him. The courageous and valorous actions of Staff Sergeant Eliseo Florendo are in keeping with the finest traditions of our nation’s military service and reflect distinct credit upon him and the United States Army.