The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SEAL) ***** *****, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Sniper /Reconnaissance Team Leader with a special operations unit conducting combat operations against enemy forces in enemy territory from 28 February to 4 March 2002. Chief Petty Officer ***** led a five-man sniper team conducting a sustained special operation that located and identified countless and previously unseen enemy fortifications, ground patrols, and fighting positions throughout the Shahi Kot Valley region. His elite team achieved operational effects completely out of proportion to its size. Chief Petty Officer *****’s orders were to preclude the enemy from concentrating combat power against vulnerable friendly ground forces that were infiltrating via helicopter into enemy held terrain. It was understood that the success or failure of his mission would determine the outcome of the entire operation. He led his element over an 11, 000-foot peak carrying over 80 pound packs and traversed over 19 kilometers of the most precipitous landscape the continent has to offer. As they approached their designated site, his scouts spotted a large caliber automatic weapon position manned by four enemy personnel. Chief Petty Officer ***** fully understood the importance of the mission and the critical node he was to establish. Under an incoming hail of enemy fire, his team assaulted the fortified position eliminating two enemy fighters with surgical rifle fire. He interdicted the other two enemies with AC-130 gunship fire as they attempted to flank his position. From this newly conquered, dominating land feature, Chief Petty Officer *****’s team called in a storm of close air support fire on a multitude of targets staged in offensive positions overlooking the valley below. Chief Petty Officer *****’s courage, under fire, bold leadership, and complete dedication to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.