The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SEAL) ***** *****, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with operations against the enemy while serving as the Agent in Charge of a Presidential Security Detail for a highly visible foreign head of state targeted by Al Qaeda and Taliban forces from 15 July to 10 November 2002. On 5 September 2002, Master Chief Petty Officer ***** heroically defended his charge against an assassination attempt. In Kandahar, while riding in the passenger seat of the head of state’s limousine, he identified an assassin in a crowd, and acted just before four rounds were fired into the vehicle, injuring the Provincial Governor and wounding Master Chief Petty Officer ***** in the head. With the driver incapacitated, he forced the head of state into a protected position and attempted to accelerate the vehicle out of danger. With the injured governor blocking access to the head of state and the vehicle stalled, Master Chief Petty Officer ***** exited into the well-armed, agitated crowd and attempted to pull his charge from the vehicle. When one of his teammates forcibly pushed the limousine out of danger, Master Chief Petty Officer *****, with a gunshot wound to the head, found himself in the midst of an angry crowd. Joined by his teammates, he and the team seized a nearby building and waited until the motorcade was moved, and the Immediate Reaction Force pulled them to safety. Through his quick, heroic actions, Master Chief Petty Officer ***** ensured mission success. Master Chief Petty Officer *****’s bold leadership, wise judgment, and total dedication to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping ¥with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.