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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Mark Anthony Zambarda, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 15 July 2009, while assigned as Platoon Leader, 3d Platoon, Alpha Company, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division. First Lieutenant Zambarda’s mental toughness, courage, and selflessness enabled his platoon to escape an enemy ambush without losing a soldier. His actions contributed to his platoon’s mission accomplishment in capturing high value targets and in securing them off the objective. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Lethal Warriors of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
On the 15th of July 2009, First Lieutenant Zambarda acted with honor, courage and selfless service during a mission to kill or capture high value Taliban leaders near Kharah Village, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. His platoon, along with one squad of Afghan National Army, and elements of Dagger Company cordoned off a Mosque identified by HUMINT and SIGINT as the location of a Taliban meeting site. The ANA squad led into the Mosque and quickly secured the Taliban fighters along with a large cache of RPGs, PKMs, grenades and ammunition. Upon leaving the objective, First Lieutenant Zambarda’s platoon walked into an enemy ambush from the North, East and West by a larger Taliban element armed with RPGs, machine guns, automatic rifles and sniper rifles. First Lieutenant Zambarda’s platoon fought their way through the ambush down a draw which led into an open valley. During the engagement Lieutenant Zambarda maneuvered his squads two kilometers in order to allow his men to move to the nearest friendly positions. The harsh terrain with limited cover and heavy enemy fire make his actions even more impressive. First Lieutenant Zambarda exposed himself constantly to enemy fire in order to call for and adjust fire support from OH-58D helicopters, which fired rockets and .50 caliber onto enemy positions. Still the fire from the OH-58Ds did little to stop the constant enemy fire on his platoon. Lieutenant Zambarda continued to talk in the birds and return fire while he bounded with the platoon during gun runs. When the platoon reached an open area, they found themselves in the enemy kill zone pinned down. The enemy rate of fire increased and they fired multiple RPGs onto friendly positions some of which impacted within just a meter or two of his position. It was at this time that First Lieutenant Zambarda realized that communication with the trucks and the OH-58Ds was extremely limited at best and having already suffered two casualties within the platoon, decided something must be done to improve the situation. First Lieutenant Zambarda made the decision to move 700 meters through open terrain and heavy enemy fire from machine guns and RPGs in order to re-establish communications and ensure the safety of his men by utilizing all available fire support assets at his disposal. Upon reaching the vehicles he immediately oriented their weapon systems on the enemy and had them engage. After re-establishing communications with the OH-58Ds he used them to lay additional support by fire so his men could bound under the cover of suppressing fires through the engagement area safely back to the road and the protection of the trucks. Due to his selfless decision to move back through the kill zone he was able to sway the outcome of the battle and ensure that all his men made it back safely. After all personnel were in the trucks and he had double-checked the count on men, weapons and equipment they returned to COP MICHIGAN. First Lieutenant Zambarda’s courageous actions and selflessness under direct enemy fire allowed the platoon to break contact from an enemy force superior in numbers without losing any Soldiers. His willingness to expose himself to enemy fire contributed to his platoon’s success and mission accomplishment.