The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Special Warfare Operator First Class (SEAL) ***** *****, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Mission Support Site Team Leader while assigned to a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 24 April 2011. Petty Officer ***** displayed superior guidance during a daytime assault targeting a Taliban commander, while under significant enemy effective fire. Upon arrival into the objective area, Petty Officer ***** and his assault element came under a hail of enemy fire. He and his teammates led his assault element to set containment on the target compound while the main assault force was delayed outside the objective area. After receiving friendly wounded in action from direct enemy fire and grenades within 20 meters of the target compound, Petty Officer ***** boldly exposed himself to the enemy and suppressed the incoming fire that allowed his element to move to safety and enabled a combat medic to move to their position to treat a head wound of one of his teammates. He directed two additional assaults on the target compound and coordinated with Higher Headquarters for three rotary-wing close air support missions after evacuating all non-combatants from adjacent buildings. Petty Officer *****’s actions eliminated the enemy combatants, enabled the evacuation of the wounded casualties, and allowed for the safe extraction of the assault force. By his bold leadership, courageous actions, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer ***** reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.