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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Jacob Lee Butler, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 1 April 2003, in Iraq. Sergeant Butler’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
On the morning of 1 April 2003, three scout vehicles were given the mission to conduct a point recon of a bridge in the city of As Samawah. The scouts were to determine the classification of the bridge to determine the type of vehicles that the bridge could support as part of a pending assault across the river. Sergeant Butler’s vehicle was the middle vehicle as they approached the bridge from the east. Upon arriving at the bridge Sergeant Butler positioned his vehicle facing south in order to provide over-watch as his fellow scouts dismounted to better observe the bridge. As Sergeant Butler was getting his vehicle into position the lead scout truck identified personnel on the north side of the river carrying weapons and rocket propelled grenades. Almost immediately, the lead scout vehicle came under enemy fire, with a rocket-propelled grenade impacting just in front of the vehicle commander’s door. The explosion wounded the vehicle commander and blew the driver from the vehicle. Sergeant Butler immediately began maneuvering his vehicle into position to better support and assist his fellow scouts disengagement. As Sergeant Butler began maneuvering his vehicle into a better position to provide covering fire for the withdrawal of his fellow wounded scout and the other two scouts, his vehicle came under heavy enemy fire. Even as the enemy rounds were impacting the truck, Sergeant Butler continued to direct both his driver and gunner in the support of his comrades through a hail of 7.62 bullets less than 50 meters away. Once Sergeant Butler’s comrades had maneuvered back to the trail scout vehicle for withdrawal his vehicle maneuvered in behind them to continue to provide cover as the scout section withdrew. During this maneuver under enemy fire, Sergeant Butler was mortally wounded. Medics at a near checkpoint attempted to save his life, but were unable to do so. Sergeant Butler’s valorous actions, although fatal, enabled the safe withdrawal for the remaining seven soldiers of the reconnaissance patrol. His actions not only enabled the safe withdrawal of seven uninjured soldiers, but also saved the life of his two wounded comrades. Also due to his actions the scout mission was successful and resulted in a successful assault two days later across the very bridge that he died to gather information on. Sergeant Butler gave the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life for his country, but far greater than that, he died showing the greatest love a soldier can show, by laying down his life for his friends.