The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander ***** *****, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Troop Commander of a special operations unit in Afghanistan on 17 March 2002. After little more than one hour of in extremis planning, Lieutenant Commander ***** led an assault to interdict a vehicle convoy suspected of transporting a top Al Qaeda leader protected by an elite, battle-hardened security force. Upon insertion, he was engaged in an intense firefight with a numerically superior force. He directed an aggressive flanking maneuver and frontal assault to close with and destroy the enemy. The immediate flank to high ground and maneuver of two assault teams were the decisive action that resulted in the annihilation of the enemy force. Lieutenant Commander *****’s troop destroyed the enemy, swept through the target area, and recovered dozens of weapons. His leadership, judgment, fire discipline, and target discrimination were unmatched as he ordered the interdiction of two vehicles and a fleeing enemy. The operation resulted in 17 dead Al Qaeda fighters, two captured enemies, confiscated intelligence documents, and nearly 30 non-combatants turned away unharmed. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Lieutenant Commander ***** reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.