(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 Sergeant First Class Roger G. Watts, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Medical Sergeant with the 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne), during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, at Karabala, Iraq, on 12 May 2004. Sergeant First Class Watts distinguished himself when he saved the lives of two critically injured tank crewman in Iraq when Special Forces soldiers were sent to help a platoon from the 1st Armored Division that had been pinned down by Iraqi insurgents occupying a shrine. Sergeant First Class Watts led his four-man team to the shrine, where there was an intense gun battle. The Special Forces soldiers were able to secure the area, but the insurgents counterattacked several times. Watts saw a tank commander and another crew member get cut down by rocket-propelled grenade and machine gun fire. Sergeant First Class Watts rushed to the tank under intense fire, stabilized the wounded and took command of the tank, directing it to fire on the insurgents. Watts continued to command the tank and care for the wound during several more enemy assaults. His 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.