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 Zachary R. Reese, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 11 April 2009, while serving as a Sniper Team Leader, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Sergeant Reese was conducting a combat patrol with his element, when he spotted a large opposing force approaching. Without being spotted, he alerted the Platoon Leader in order to establish an ambush. When the ambush was initiated, Sergeant Reese’s element was exposed to enemy fire, where he made sure his team stayed down, thereby avoiding any friendly fire casualties. He later participated in the ambush, destroying the opposing force. When checking the enemy casualties, an enemy fighter, feigning death, lunged and grabbed Sergeant Reese. In a terrifying moment of hand-to-hand combat, Sergeant Reese instinctively drew his knife from his vest and stabbed the man in his eye, killing him instantly. Sergeant Reese’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Combined Joint Task Force-101, and the United States Army.