The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Gabriel P. Brown, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Combat Controller with the 22d Special Tactics Squadron, 18th Air Support Operations Group in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM during Operation ANACONDA, near Marzak, Patkia Province, Afghanistan, on March 4, 2002. Sergeant Brown was the primary ground forward air controller assigned to a quick-reaction force task to recover two American servicemen evading capture in austere terrain occupied by massed al-Qaida and Taliban forces. Shortly before landing, his MH-47E helicopter received accurate rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire, severely disabling the aircraft and causing it to crash land. Sergeant Brown and the remainder of the assault force formed a hasty defense and immediately suffered four fatalities and five critical casualties. In spite of the battle’s intensity, he held his position and directed Air Force fighter aircraft in eight separate strafing runs against multiple reinforced enemy positions. In the direst of situations, he called in three Guided Bomb Unit-12 bombs and two Hellfire missiles within 75 meters of his own position, destroying a fortified bunker. This decisive action allowed his small force to secure the high terrain. Meanwhile, an enemy patrol flanked the team from the south, mortally wounding one Pararescueman in a 20-minute barrage of fire. Sergeant Brown again directed close-air support assets against these positions, eliminating the threat. His boldness of spirit, drive and technical lethality saved the lives of 26 American servicemen. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Brown has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.