The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander ***** *****, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Ground Force Commander while assigned to a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 6 to 7 January 2006. Lieutenant Commander ***** led a joint and combined element on a 10 kilometer dismounted patrol into enemy territory. Upon reaching the targeted objective, he led his force in a successful assault of 15 buildings, spanning four compounds, despite being under constant gunfire and immediately suffering two friendly casualties. In this extremely chaotic environment, Lieutenant Commander ***** maintained overall control of the marshalling and interrogation of enemy combatants while simultaneously directing numerous airborne assets to suppress reactionary enemy forces closing in on his assault force’s position. His superlative combat leadership resulted in a significant victory that included five enemy combatants detained, nine eliminated, numerous weapons and explosives destroyed, and non-combatants left unharmed. Lieutenant Commander *****’s bold initiative, undaunted courage, and total dedication to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderAction Date:
March 17, 2002
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.