The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Sergeant Jarrod D. Parson, United States Army, for especially meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as a M2A2ODS Bradley Gunner, Fire Team Leader and Forward Observer, 1st Platoon, Apache Company, 2-7 Cavalry, FOB MAREZ, Mosul, Iraq, from 28 October 2006 to 28 January 2008, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Sergeant Parson went above and beyond the call of duty by serving not only as 1st Platoon’s Forward Observer but in also as Team Leader for a M2A2ODS Bradley mounted infantry section and as the Command Track’s Gunner in an Infantry platoon on both the 1114 HMMWV and the M2A2ODS Bradley. His inspiring combat presence and tactical knowledge made possible the platoon’s successful 82 M2A2ODS Bradley combat operations, 180 HMMVW patrols, and 100 dismounted raids in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. After the previous Command Track’s Gunner sustained debilitating injuries in combat on 21 December 2006 Sergeant Parson volunteered for the dangerous position. Throughout the 35 complex Anti-Iraqi Forces’ (AIF) attacks against 1st Platoon in over 200 combat patrols Sergeant Parson never once failed to repel those assaults with concentrated and precise fire. His technical expertise with the .50 caliber machine gun and 25-mm. M2A2ODS gun combined with his constant vigilance and intelligent decision making, made his a crucial factor in the platoon’s command structure. Normally the duty of a senior non-commissioned or a commissioned officer, Sergeant Parson took control of the platoon’s vehicles when the Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant were forced to dismount. He not only maneuvered the vehicles in an aggressive and proficient manner but was trusted to make complex decisions concerning the use of Brigade assets, such as the OH-58D Kiowas and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, to suppress enemy movement. His advanced maturity and leadership aided the senior leadership immeasurably in their conduct of dismounted patrols and functioned as a critical link between the Company leadership and the Platoon’s Mechanized movement in urban terrain. Due to Sergeant Parson, 1st Platoon was able to detain or eliminate over 70 AIF personnel during the daily Battalion Missions, Company raids, and Platoon movements. On just one occasion, 151400MAR07, Sergeant Parson’s HMMWV section responded to the catastrophic destruction of an Engineer M2A2ODS Bradley on RTF PORCHE (38S LF 2790/2410). On arrival the section took RPG and small arms fire from the South and East. Sergeant Parson remained exposed in his gunner’s cupola in order to effectively suppress the enemy fire and provide a clear description of the battlefield for the dismounted Lieutenant. Shortly after this he again showed conspicuous valor by both talking to and directing the Scout Weapons Team in to the target with carefully aimed tracer rounds. This willingness to risk his own life and capacity to handle diverse Brigade assets in order to eliminate the enemy is just one example of his highly developed understanding of the battlefield. In this particular situation Sergeant Parson’s actions resulted in a safe, expedient vehicle recovery, no further coalition forces’ casualties, and the destruction of an AIF safe-house. In a platoon short on combat power due to casualties sustained in combat operations, Sergeant Parson displayed his leadership capacities prior to, during, and after patrol. This concern for the mission both in and out of sector made it possible to sustain the high operational tempo. Given non-mission capable M2A2ODS Bradleys and faulty 25-mm. guns he worked with the maintenance platoon and provided the necessary guidance to his team members and those of the other sections to put his platoon at a 100% state of combat readiness. His technical expertise on the M2A2ODS Bradley allowed 1st Platoon to forestall and, when necessary, overcome maintenance obstacles encountered in 15 months of deployment with an average of 1 to 2, 6 hour patrols a day. Because of Sergeant Parson 1st Platoon was able to provide M2A2ODS Bradley support anywhere in sector to the Battalion in less than 30 minutes throughout the entire deployment. Sergeant Parson’s conspicuous motivation and unique ability allowed him to handle multiple duty positions simultaneously within the platoon. In over 200 combat missions he functioned as Forward Observer, Bradley Gunner, and Fire Team Leader. Combining lessons learned in his past deployment with a dynamic understanding of the present battlefield, he inspired his platoon to overcome the obstacles which arose during deployment. Whether physically leading the clearing of sewer systems in AIF hostspots, demonstrating patience in the coordination of combat multipliers on the radio during AIF complex attacks, or mentoring inexperienced soldiers on the strengths and weaknesses of the M2A2ODS Bradley, Sergeant Parson contributed directly to the overwhelming success of the Command’s mission.