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 Sergeant First Class Richard J. Olson, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action in Afghanistan on 10 August 2009. Sergeant First Class Olson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous achievement while deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in the Global War on Terrorism as a Counter Improvised Explosive Device Team Leader, 741st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion (CIED), Combined Joint Task Force Paladin, Combined Joint Task Force-82, United States Forces-Afghanistan, on 10 August 2009. Among his numerous accomplishments, Sergeant First Class Olson ensured the governor was adequately protected and made the necessary political coordination for Afghan National Army supported by United States Forces to enter and clear the five story Anti Afghan Force stronghold. Sergeant First Class Olson’s outstanding performance and dedication to duty were critical to the success of the Counter Improvised Explosive Device fight in a dangerous and dynamic environment. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant First Class Olson reflect great credit upon himself, 741st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, Combined Joint Task Force Paladin, Combined Joint Task Force-82, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant First Class Richard J. Olson, Jr., United States Army, distinguished himself through exceptionally valorous achievement while deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and the Global War on Terrorism as a Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) Team Leader, 741st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion (CIED), Combined Joint Task Force Paladin, Combined Joint Task Force-82, United States Forces-Afghanistan, on 10 August 2009. Sergeant First Class Olson displayed outstanding personal courage and bravery while leading CIED Team 15 on a Quick Reaction Force Mission in Pul-E-Alam District of Logar Province, Afghanistan. CIED Team 15 was launched after reports of Taliban Fighters in the Capital of Pul-E-Alam were firing Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) and Small Arms Fire (SAF) and had overrun the Governors Compound and the Provincial Headquarters in attempt to assassinate the Governor of Logar. Sergeant First Class Olson’s decisions under fire led to the suppression of SAF by Anti-Afghan Forces (AAF) fighters resulting in one confirmed Enemy Killed in Action (EKIA) thus allowing movement to the governors’ compound. He insured the governor was adequately protected and made the necessary political coordination for Afghan National Army (ANA) supported by U.S. Forces to enter and clear the five story AAF stronghold. A Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device detonated just outside of the AAF stronghold. He then dismounted establishing a secured area for all assault elements to prepare for the assault. Sergeant First Class Olson took control of all assault elements consisting of 12 ANA Soldiers, four CIED Team 15 dismounts, five Personal Security Detachment dismounts, three French Operation Mentor and Liaison Team, and five Route Clearance Patrol 13 dismounts. On order Sergeant First Class Olson led the assault element into the AAF stronghold and began to clear utilizing the ANA in the lead. After the assault element successfully cleared the bottom four floors only one floor remained. During the initial approach on the fifth floor Sergeant First Class Olson deployed a hand grenade to clear the immediate area for the ANA entry team. As the hand grenade entered the hallway and Sergeant First Class Olson moved to cover an armed insurgent opened fire, he was aided by two fellow Soldiers resulting in one EKIA. After the detonation of the hand grenade an enemy Wounded in Action (WIA) began to fire into the stairwell and was engaged by a fellow Airman who moved to the fourth floor. On three separate occasions the attempt to gain access to the fifth floor failed, resulting in one ANA KIA and three ANA WIA. The assault was a stalemate and the remaining insurgents had a tactical advantage overhead. Sergeant First Class Olson secured a Claymore Mine and attached it to a 15-foot long pole. An Airman provided close security as Sergeant First Class Olson with disregard for his own personal safety moved the claymore utilizing the four inch space between the flights of stairs to engage the insurgents from below. Sergeant First Class Olson’s tactical decisions and improvised mine were successful resulting in an additional EKIA and ending the stalemate, thus allowing the complete clearance of the AAF stronghold without sustaining additional casualties and ending the five and a half hour fire fight. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant First Class Olson, reflects great credit upon himself, 741st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion (CIED), Combined Joint Task Force Paladin, Combined Joint Task Force-82, the United States Army and the Department of Defense.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Sergeant First ClassDivision:
10th Mountain DivisionAction Date:
March 21 & 22, 2009
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 Sergeant First Class Richard J. Olson, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally valorous achievement on 21 – 22 March 2009, while deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and the Global War on Terrorism as the Counter Improvised Explosive Device Team Leader, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, 3d Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, Joint Task Force PALADIN, United States Forces-Afghanistan. Sergeant First Class Olson’s outstanding performance and dedication to duty were critical to the success of the counter-improvised explosive device fight in a dangerous and dynamic environment. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant First Class Olson reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army and the Department of Defense.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant First Class Richard J. Olson, Jr., distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous achievement while deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and the Global War on Terrorism as a Counter Improvised Explosive Device Team Leader, 3d Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 10th Mountain Division, 3d Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Battalion, Joint Task Force PALADIN, United States Forces-Afghanistan, Forward Operating Base (FOB) SHANK, Afghanistan, from 21 March 2009 to 22 March 2009. Sergeant First Class Olson displayed outstanding personal courage and bravery while leading CIED Team 15 on a Route Clearance Patrol (RCP) mission from FOB SHANK to the Sayed Abad Combat Outpost. While traveling west on Route GEORGIA, his convoy was engaged by Small Arms Fire (SAF) and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG). Sergeant First Class Olson observed two Anti-Afghan Forces (AAF) fighters with RPGs in the valley to the south of his convoy taking aim on his position. He engaged with his M2 machine gun resulting in two possible enemy KIA. The remaining RCP vehicles maneuvered into a counter ambush position to gain the advantage on the AAF. AAF broke contact, so his convoy lifted fire and pushed through the ambush to continue their mission. Approximately two kilometers further down Route GEORGIA, the lead vehicle in Sergeant First Class Olson’s RCP element was hit by an IED, causing the vehicle to flip on its side and wounding four soldiers inside. When his CIED team dismounted their vehicle to clear the site, they began receiving SAF and RPG fire within four feet of their position and became pinned down. When the two gun trucks closest to the site had weapons malfunctions, he immediately moved into the kill zone to provide cover for the dismounted personnel and began directing fires for the entire element. Sergeant First Class Olson made positive identification of nine enemy positions and engaged with both his M2 and M240B machine guns, resulting in an estimated six enemy KIA. This prevented the enemy from firing effectively on the dismounted element, forcing them to break contact to the south. While conducting a post blast assessment of the damaged vehicle, they came under heavy enemy fire to the rear of the convoy. Sergeant First Class Olson maneuvered his truck into a position where he could PID the enemy. From this position, he had the advantage of being able to fire effectively on the enemy in the valley below. Due to his tactical maneuvering and direction to the other gunners, he enabled friendly personnel to mass effective fire on the enemy position and cut off their avenue of escape, forcing them to stay and fight in the open. Sergeant First Class Olson continued to spot enemy position for his patrol and engage them for over 30 minutes, going black on ammunition twice. Knowing his truck was the most effective support by fire position and disregarding his own safety, he twice dismounted his vehicle and ran 60 meters under direct and effective fire to an adjacent gun truck which had a disabled weapon, secured more ammunition and returned to his position to keep firing until the enemy broke contact. While waiting for inbound MEDEVAC, Sergeant First Class Olson received one casualty in his truck and prepped him for transport when they began receiving fire. He identified the enemy and engaged until they broke contact, allowing the MEDEVAC to land and transport the casualties for treatment. Sergeant First Class Olson remained calm and conducted himself in a professional manner despite large volumes of enemy fire. After the two-hour firefight was over, Sergeant First Class Olson remained on guard all night long, securing the disabled vehicle until recovery assets could be dispatched the following morning. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant First Class Olson reflect great credit upon himself, 3d Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, Joint Task Force PALADIN, United States Forces-Afghanistan, the United States Army and the Department of Defense.