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.