The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Senior Chief Electronics Technician (SEAL) ***** *****, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Assault Team Leader assigned to a Joint Task Force conducting Special Operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 21 May 2006. Senior Chief ***** led his team as part of a 27-man element during the execution of a complex and daring direct action mission against a much larger heavily armed enemy force. During the clearance of the objective, he was confronted by two enemy fighters, barricaded and unwilling to surrender. Prior to entering the building, an enemy grenade wounded his teammate. Despite his ability to maneuver back from the structure to gain cover, Senior Chief ***** held his exposed position in front of the structure to continue the fight and protect his men. At great personal risk from his exposure to close range enemy fire, he led the attack on the barricaded fighters by moving outside to the rear of the structure and eliminated one of them, his team eliminating the other. Senior Chief *****’s actions under fire ensured his wounded team member was safely moved to a medical triage area. By his bold leadership, exceptional professionalism, and loyal devotion to duty, Senior Chief ***** reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.