(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 Chief Warrant Officer Jason J. LaCrosse, United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an instructor pilot for the 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, on 2 April 2010 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. On that date, his company was stationed in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan, as part of a German reconstruction team when German paratroopers were ambushed by the Taliban about five miles southwest of the city. Within fifteen minutes of being alerted about the wounded, Chief Warrant Officer LaCrosse and three crewmembers took off for the rescue. His helicopter came under heavy fire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades as it approached the landing zone. They landed in a field to establish verbal communication with German ground forces, but again came under fire. Despite warnings that the original landing zone was too hot, Chief Warrant Officer LaCrosse decided to attempt another landing. They loaded the first patient onto the helicopter and took him to Kunduz, then returned to the battle to rescue the second soldier. Again, they encountered heavy fire from the enemy on approach. Under friendly suppressive fire Chief Warrant Officer LaCrosse successfully landed and the crew rescued another of the wounded German soldiers. When they got back to Kunduz they learned that an improvised explosive device had struck a German infantry mobility vehicle and four more German soldiers needed to be rescued. Because of timing issues, Chief Warrant Officer LaCrosse decided to refuel before picking up the four wounded Germans. Then he and two medevac aircraft landed and the four wounded soldiers were evacuated to Kunduz without further incident. 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.