The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Chief Interior Communications Electrician (EOD) ***** *****, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Sniper /Reconnaissance Team Member and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician for a combined joint special operations task force in support of Operation ANACONDA, the largest ground combat operation to date in enemy territory from 28 February to 4 March 2002. Chief Petty Officer ***** was a key member of 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. His element scaled 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, he spotted a large caliber automatic weapon position manned by four enemy personnel. Under an incoming hail of enemy fire his team assaulted the fortified position eliminating two enemy fighters with surgical rifle. His communicator interdicted the other two 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.