The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal to Staff Sergeant John R. Stricklett, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious service as a member of the Multi-National Corps Iraq from 22 March to 22 September 2005, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. His outstanding performance and dedication to duty during combat operations in Iraq were critical to the overwhelming success of the Command’s mission. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Multi-National Corps Iraq, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant John R. Stricklett, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team Leader, 47th Ordnance Company (EOD), Camp Taji, from 22 March 2005 to 22 September 2005 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Staff Sergeant Stricklett was assigned to provide Direct Support to MNC-I and General Support to 3d Infantry Division, 2d Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 3d BCT, U.S. Embassy inside the International Zone and Coalition Forces throughout the Iraqi Area of Responsibility. Throughout these areas he was responsible for the assessment, identification, render safe and disposal of various explosive items, including Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), Chemical Munitions, Captured Enemy Ammunition, ammunition caches, post blast investigations, and unexploded ordnance. Successful completion of these missions proved vital in support to tactical and support operations throughout Central Iraq. While performing his duties, he disposed of 750 pieces of ordnance with a net explosive weight of 1,200 pounds over the course of 152 missions. During his time of service he responded to 28 Unexploded Explosive Ordnance missions, 32 Post Blast missions, 48 Suspect Improvised Explosive Devices, 32 Improvised Explosive Devices and 12 Suspect Improvised Explosive Devices. His professionalism and hard work kept critical Military Supply Routes clear for maneuver elements to use for tactical, support and rebuild operations. Staff Sergeant Stricklett led the first EOD Team from the Company to support the U.S. Embassy in the International Zone. He developed and implemented a training program for Military and Civilian K-9 units which ensured the K-9 units were able to train on Large Scale IED’s and Vehicle Borne IED’s. While at the U.S. Embassy he taught over 100 hours of classes to the Personal Security Details for the Iraqi Judges, ensuring that they would have the maximum knowledge possible when confronted with an explosive hazard. Staff Sergeant Stricklett can always be counted on to perform the mission under the most demanding circumstances. During an IED mission his keen sense of operational awareness led to the recovery of a firing device before it was fully emplaced. The device contained all necessary components and provided valuable forensic evidence to the Combined Explosive Exploitation Cell. Staff Sergeant Stricklett provided expert EOD support throughout his area of responsibility. His expert and decisive actions prevented the loss of life by coalition forces and civilian personnel. His professionalism, selfless service and courage enabled him to handle multiple EOD missions in the face of extreme danger to himself and his team. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, this Command and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Sergeant First Class John R. Stricklett, United States Army, for heroic achievement while serving with the 47th Ordnance Company, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, in actions taken during a catastrophic improvised explosive device event while serving in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Iraq. Sergeant First Class Stricklett’s immediate actions and leadership saved the lives of numerous soldiers as he aided the wounded soldiers while faced with imminent danger to his own life. Sergeant First Class Stricklett provided valorous leadership while under sustained enemy fire, positioning soldiers and vehicles, directing combat power toward enemy strong points, and managing recovery efforts. His actions reflect immensely upon himself, his unit, the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the First Cavalry Division and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Bronze Star Medal to Sergeant First Class John R. Stricklett, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious service from 21 February 2007 to 20 May 2008 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. His outstanding dedication to duty during combat operations in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming success of the Command’s mission. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant First Class John R. Stricklett, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team Leader, 47th Ordnance Company (EOD), Multi-National Corps – Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, from 21 February 2007 to 20 May 2008 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 06-08. He was assigned as Team Leader providing direct support to 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. He was responsible for an EOD Team providing assessment, identification, and render safe of a multitude of explosive hazards, including Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), Chemical Munitions, Captured Enemy Ammunition, Ammunition Caches, Post Blast Investigations, and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). Successful completion of these missions proved vital in support of tactical operations throughout Multi-National Division – Baghdad. Sergeant First Class Stricklett responded to 64 IED missions, 32 UXO Missions, 20 Post Blast missions, 23 caches, 42 route clearance operations, and 5 planned operations. He destroyed 3,621 ordnance items with a total net explosive weight of 3,341 pounds. His professionalism and hard work helped keep critical Main Supply Routes clear. Sergeant First Class Stricklett’s tireless efforts disposing of caches prevented Anti-Coalition Forces from using these munitions to attack Coalition Forces. On 16 November 2007, Sergeant First Class Stricklett’s team responded to a cache in support of D Troop, 2-2 SCR. The cache consisted of six 110-pound bags of Unknown Bulk Explosives, nine 81-mm. mortars, four VS 1.6 landmines, three 120-mm. mortar, four sticks of PE-4 and many other pieces of ordnance. His extensive experience in the EOD field allowed him to successfully destroy the ordnance with minimal damage to personnel and property and deny the enemy a substantial resource to inflict harm to Coalition Forces and Iraqi citizens. On 13 December 2007, his team responded to a cache in support of F Troop, 2-2 SCR. The house containing the cache was found to have multiple IEDs, IED making tools, and Iranian C-4. Sergeant First Class Stricklett separated the important pieces of intelligence, loaded them on the truck, and rigged the rest of the ordnance for detonation. As he was rolling out the shock tube to destroy the munitions, he kicked over a couch sitting in the front yard of the house revealing three each Explosively Formed Projectile arrays that were prepared for emplacement. The incredible find was loaded on to the truck and turned over to Weapons Intelligence Team for further exploitation. Sergeant First Class Stricklett’s tireless efforts to meticulously glean all possible evidence and valuable information from a particular area of interest are paramount to the mission of evidence recovery in the fight to neutralize or kill those responsible for the construction and emplacement of IEDs in Iraq. Sergeant First Class Stricklett provided expert EOD support throughout his numerous areas of responsibility. His decisive action, selfless service, and courage enabled him to handle the most trying situations and ultimately succeed. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, this command and the United States Army.

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 Staff Sergeant John R. Stricklett, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious achievement while assigned as an explosive ordnance disposal Team Leader from 19 March to 15 June 2003 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Staff Sergeant Stricklett’s exceptional performance and dedication to duty contributed to Task Force IRONHORSE disposing over 9,100 pieces of enemy ammunition including man-portable surface-to-air guided missiles and rocket propelled grenades. His actions reduced the enemy’s capability to attack Coalition Forces and reflect distinct credit on him, the 4th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant John R. Stricklett, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team Leader, 47th Ordnance Company (EOD), Taji Air Base, from 19 March 2003 to 15 June 2003 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Staff Sergeant Stricklett and his unit were among the first units of 4ID to arrive at Al Taji AB with very little intelligence available concerning enemy activity or explosive ordnance in the area. There was limited security initially and a great deal of enemy and civilian activity throughout the base. Despite these security concerns, Staff Sergeant Stricklett, in support of Task Force GUNNER, conducted a survey of the perimeter of Al Taji AB, inspected seven caches, and disposed of over 5,100 pieces of captured enemy ammunition, helping to establish security. Staff Sergeant Stricklett searched 16 captured enemy ammunition caches for booby traps and other explosive hazards to include seven large caches located near the 4ID HET download site. He spent several days identifying items, locating a safe disposal area and disposing of all items. He supervised the clearance, safe transportation; and storage or destruction of this ordnance. This allowed the safe consolidation of over 23,100 pieces of ammunition from uncontrolled caches. Staff Sergeant Stricklett disposed of over 125 submunitions located near an Iraqi fuel station after two Iraqi children were injured by picking up the items. His actions provided a safe environment for local civilians and reduced the hazards to Coalition forces traveling on the adjacent MSR. He disposed of over 9,100 pieces of captured enemy ammunition, to include Man-Portable surface-to-air Guided Missiles and Rocket-Propelled Grenades. This reduced the enemy’s capability to attack Coalition forces. During EOD operations, a supporting soldier from 4ID collapsed as a heat casualty. Staff Sergeant Stricklett stabilized and monitored the soldier, who was exhibiting heat stroke symptoms. His actions are directly attributed to saving the soldier’s life. His EOD Team supported the following V Corps and 4ID units: V Corps Rear and 17th AVN BDE, Balad, AB; TF Iron Gunner, TF Bullet, 17th FA BDE, Al Taji AB; 1st BCT, Bayji; 2d BCT, Baquaba, and 555 EN GP, Tikrit.