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 First Lieutenant Stephen Allen Thorpe, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, during military operations in Iraq against a hostile force on 5 April 2003, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. First Lieutenant Thorpe performed above and beyond his designated duties with valor in the face of enemy fire during his deployment in support of his unit’s objectives. His actions also contributed directly to the success of the 101st Airborne Division and 2d Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment’s mission. His heroic actions on 5 April 2003 saved the lives of his soldiers and comrades. First Lieutenant Thorpe brought tremendous credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
On 5 April 2003, First Lieutenant Thorpe distinguished himself as a Platoon Leader, while attached to the 2d Battalion, 502d Widow Maker Battalion. First Lieutenant Thorpe’s Platoon led the company attack to destroy enemy forces in zone in the vicinity of Karabala. Upon entering Objective INDIA, his crew was in direct contact with intense small arms and RPG-7s from all sides for more than nine hours. As a result of his aggressiveness his crew engaged and destroyed four enemy RPG pits, one gun truck, one anti-aircraft gun, and 25 enemy soldiers around Objective INDIA. These actions allowed Bravo Company 2-502d to gain a foothold. As First Lieutenant Thorpe’s crew and section pushed forward to the next Objective his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was hit by two rocket propelled grenades which penetrated through the left side of the vehicle turret. As a result, First Lieutenant Thorpe was wounded in both legs by several fragments of shrapnel. The vehicle then ignited into flames, which caused the entire crew to evacuate from their vehicle. Although being injured and bleeding from both legs, First Lieutenant Thorpe took charge of the situation on the ground and led from the front, alongside of the other eight injured soldiers in the platoon. Without regard for his own life and injuries, he relentlessly maneuvered his soldiers while still under hostile enemy fire for about 800 meters until they reached the last friendly Infantry Strong Point, sustaining no further injuries to his men. After being treated for shrapnel wounds, First Lieutenant Thorpe jumped track with his gunner and a volunteer driver and immediately rejoined the fight with his platoon. While still in an extreme amount of pain, First Lieutenant Thorpe again braved the gauntlet of fires to get back to his platoon to continue the fight.