The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Special Warfare Operator First Class (SEAL) ***** *****, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Squadron Assaulter assigned to a Joint Task Force in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 30 September 2007. Petty Officer *****’s assault force executed a bold raid into an enemy stronghold to secure a senior enemy leader. During the assault against entrenched enemy fighting positions, he observed armed enemy fighters maneuvering on his assaults force’s flank. Enemy fighters engaged his assault force with heavy machinegun fire as Petty Officer ***** positioned himself to engage the threat. Completely exposed to enemy fire, he systematically engaged and eliminated five enemy fighters. Petty Officer *****’s actions saved the lives of his teammates while supporting the medical evacuation of a critically wounded operator on the opposite flank. With these actions, he allowed air support assets to freely engage enemy personnel attempting to re-establish control of the fight. Petty Officer ***** then displayed extraordinary leadership and quick judgment under fire by identifying and not engaging ten non-combatants fleeing the battlefield. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Petty Officer ***** reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.