(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. McInerney, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in action in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 25 August to 4 September 2003. While participating in Operation MOUNTAIN VIPER, Chief Warrant Officer McInerney was told by local Afghans that hundreds of Taliban fighters were holed up in nearby villages and in the mountains above them. Warrant Officer McInerney led his detachment of 12 Special Forces soldiers into the jagged hills in pursuit. With about 200 Afghan militiamen, they tracked the Taliban on foot up the hot, dusty valleys that crease the 9,000-foot peaks north of Dai Chupan, in southern Zabul province. Chief Warrant Officer McInerney and his team fought three battles and called in airstrikes to dislodge the enemy from the high ground. Scores of Taliban fighters were killed, with only one American soldier of the team wounded. Chief Warrant Officer McInerney’s bravery, tactical proficiency, professionalism and complete fearlessness in the face of the enemy reflect the highest credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.