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 Specialist Jason Harrington, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Long Range Surveillance/Sniper Team member for Company A, 1st Battalion, 172d Armored Regiment, in Support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 19 September 2005, in Iraq. Specialist Harrington’s outstanding dedication to duty during combat operations in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming success of the Command’s mission. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, this command, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Specialist Harrington, United States Army, distinguished himself through Valor to the United States as a Long Range Surveillance/Sniper Team member for Company A, 1st Battalion, 172d Armored Regiment, on 19 September 2005, in Ramadi, Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. On 19 September 2005, three of Specialist Harrington’s platoon members, including his platoon leader, were killed in action after being attacked with an improvised explosive device. Specialist Harrington immediately volunteered for a quick reaction force to respond to the scene. Specialist Harrington left the base with another platoon so that he could respond as quickly as possible. The route and area that he maneuvered into is a known high threat area with little coalition presence. As the two HMMWV’s in his element were moving to the scene, the HMMWV that he was in was struck with an improvised explosive device tearing off the front of the HMMWV. Disoriented from the explosion, not knowing the extent of his own injuries at the time, suffering from a possible concussion, Specialist Harrington physically checked the crew in the HMMWV for trauma injuries. After everyone was checked, Specialist Harrington exited the destroyed vehicle into a still unknown, hostile threat area, and began to engage enemy positions where the initiator of the improvised explosive device was located. As he was engaging the enemy, and providing covering fire, while exposed to small arms fire and/or another improvised explosive device blast, the platoon sergeant hooked up a tow strap to the destroyed HMMWV. The platoon sergeant began to pull Specialist Harrington’s vehicle out of the kill zone when both HMMWV’s were struck with a second improvised explosive device. The second explosion destroyed the other HMMWV and knocked Specialist Harrington’s platoon sergeant out of the vehicle. Seeing this, Specialist Harrington grabbed a PRC-1523E radio out of his bag and established communications with higher while dismounted and still in an unsecured area. Specialist Harrington continued to expose himself to the enemy to gain good communications with higher, while continuing to provide security until the quick reaction force reached his position. After the recovery effort was complete, he again assumed additional risk to himself by moving dismounted with his team to sweep the unsecured area for the improvised explosive device trigger man and other insurgents that were responsible for the deadly attack. Specialist Harrington’s calm under fire and tremendous confidence were directly responsible for saving soldiers on a day when many more lives could have been lost. He is a true warrior and a proven combat soldier. Specialist Jason Harrington’s calm under fire and tremendous leadership were directly responsible for saving soldiers’ lives on a day when more lives could have been lost. He is a true warrior and proven combat leader. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, this command and the United States Army.