The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander ***** *****, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Task Force Commander for a Joint Task Force in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 7 to 8 September 2007. Commander ***** led an assault force against a target with entrenched foreign fighters on a bold direct action raid resulting in numerous enemy eliminated, including senior terrorist leaders. Immediately following this raid, he was notified of a British soldier missing in action deep inside enemy controlled terrain after British forces were forced to break contact and move to their patrol base. Commander ***** expertly planned and executed an in-extremis recovery of the soldier with such speed that the enemy was unable to react before the soldier was recovered. By his undaunted courage, bold initiative, and total devotion to duty, Commander ***** reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.