The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Ryan M. Steinkamp, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Squad Leader, 2d Platoon, Company C, First Battalion, Eighth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, FIRST Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), on 17 April 2012 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM . After a night helicopter insert, Sergeant Steinkamp led his squad through 800 meters of mined terrain to clear Payawak village of enemy forces. In the objective area, enemy forces launched consecutive ambushes from multiple positions using a combination of direct and indirect weapons. Sergeant Steinkamp led his squad to a compound to seek cover and plan a counter-attack. He then left the safety of the compound to reduce the enemy’s position using grenades. The enemy fell back and his squad cleared the first sector of the village. They cleared 10 compounds before encountering enemy forces. Again, Sergeant Steinkamp rallied his squad and took on the enemy using small arms, grenades, and demolitions integrated with tank and air assets. The overall mission lasted more than 12 hours. In that time he led his squad to clear more than 500 meters of dense vegetation, reducing more than five fortified enemy positions, and to clear more than 50 compounds with no civilian casualties. Throughout the day he made sound tactical decisions and maintained his composure through close-quarters combat, an urgent friendly casualty evacuation, and his own injuries. Hid actions and leadership helped set the conditions for local security forces to safely occupy Payawak. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage and dedication to duty, Sergeant Steinkamp reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.