The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate (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 larger element that executed a complex and daring direct action mission against a heavily armed and numerically superior enemy force. Senior Chief *****’s assault force successfully penetrated enemy territory and engaged in a four-hour firefight often at close quarters. Moving through the objective area, he eliminated two enemy fighters waiting for his assault force. Senior Chief ***** directed the clearing of a follow-on target, where he engaged in close-quarters combat to secure an additional enemy fighter. His superb leadership and exceptional performance while eradicating a critical terrorist network significantly degraded the enemy’s effectiveness and contributed greatly to the Joint Task Force mission. By his bold leadership, personal initiative, and total devotion to duty, Senior Chief ***** reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.