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 Captain Mark T. Resh, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an AH-64D Longbow Apache Helicopter with the 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 28 January 2007, near An Najaf, Iraq. On that date, Captain Resh was dispatched to the city of An Najaf to assist and support coalition troops who had come in contact with enemy forces. Arriving support aircraft was attacked with heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades and Captain Resh placed his helicopter in the direct line of enemy fire so that another air crew that was under attack could maneuver out of danger. Over the next fifteen minutes he bravely flew in the face of intense enemy fire to support the coalition ground forces until his aircraft was struck and crashed, killing Captain Resh. Captain Resh’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:
Captain Mark T. Resh and Chief Warrant Officer Three Cornell C. Chao distinguished themselves by exhibiting gallantry in action and exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of an enemy attack while serving as an AH-64D Longbow Apache crew for 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 28 January 2007, Captain Resh and Chief Warrant Officer Three Chao responded to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near the city of An Najaf, Iraq. Facing an unknown enemy and unclear friendly situation, they quickly developed the situation with their team, working with United States Special Operations Forces and United States Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers to determine the Coalition force positions and formulate a plan of attack against an adaptable, well armed, dug in enemy. At approximately 1317 hours, Captain Resh and Chief Warrant Officer Three Chao’s team valorously made its initial attack into the target area. They quickly realized their wingman, the lead aircraft, was in a perilous position, as friendly ground forces reported that their team of Apaches was being engaged by heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Without hesitation, they maneuvered their aircraft to attack the enemy positions that were engaging their team, and their Coalition brothers on the ground. During this attack Captain Resh and Chief Warrant Officer Three Chao’s wingman reported taking fire from a truck-mounted heavy machine gun. Without hesitation, Captain Resh and WC3 Chao courageously oriented towards the enemy and began searching for the heavy machine gun which was engaging their wingman. With great audacity and skill, they descended to clear their own fires away from their wingman’s aircraft and draw the enemy’s attention away from their comrades. As the trail aircraft of the team, this was their mission- to cover their wingman- and they completed that mission heroically and without regard to their own personal safety. Captain Resh and Chief Warrant Officer Three Chao placed their aircraft squarely and fearlessly in the enemy’s line of fire. Under a fusillade of enemy fire, they valorously maintained their aircraft oriented on the target, returning fire until their wingman was safely out of danger. Successfully, selflessly, and heroically they gave their wingman the time and space necessary to maneuver clear of the engagement area until the two of them and their aircraft were mortally wounded by the relentless enemy fire, at approximately 1330 hours. Captain Resh and Chief Warrant Officer Three Chao selflessly gave their lives to protect their wingman and the Coalition forces on the ground they were supporting. Captain Resh and Chief Warrant Officer Three Chao’s undaunted courage in the skies of An Najaf, Iraq greatly contributed to the success of the Multi-National Division-Baghdad that day. From start to finish, their courage, skill, and devotion to duty and their fellow Soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of intrepid valor during aerial flight. Their actions were nothing less than heroic and embody the warrior ethos by their selfless Courage. Their performance of duty reflects great credit upon themselves, the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, the Multinational Division-Baghdad, and the United States Army.