The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Bryan D. Diede, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pathfinder Platoon Commander, Weapons Company, First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II on 8 April 2004. Second Lieutenant Diede led a patrol of three Light Armored Vehicles tasked with conducting curfew enforcement in Al Bu Hardan, Iraq. As the patrol approached the local police station, the trail vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device followed by an ambush of rocket-propelled grenade, machine gun, and small arms fire. The initial barrage killed the gunner of the lead vehicle and rendered it immobile. Second Lieutenant Diede maneuvered his vehicle to a position that allowed enfilading fires on the enemy and reduced the stricken vehicle’s vulnerability to further assault. Immediately, his vehicle became the center of the enemy’s attention and was engulfed in rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire resulting in Second Lieutenant Diede sustaining wounds to his hand and face. Ignoring his wounds, he coordinated his platoon’s defense and engaged the enemy with M-240 machine gun until it jammed. He then retrieved his M-4 carbine and continued to return fire from his turret until the enemy fled. Only after consolidating his forces and directing security of the site, did Second Lieutenant Diede allow his wounds to be treated. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Second Lieutenant Diede reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.