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 Michael S. Shropshire, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States at Abu Sukhayr, Iraq, from 20 March 2003 to 25 March 2003. During this period, as the Enlisted Terminal Attack Controller, 15th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, supporting 3d Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry, 3d Infantry Division Mechanized for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Sergeant Shropshire’s unit, while securing a key Euphrates River crossing, was immediately surrounded by enemy soldiers and paramilitary forces and began receiving fierce small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Surrounded, cutoff, under a hail of enemy gunfire and in the largest sandstorm in four decades, Sergeant Shropshire quickly coordinated close air support while constantly switching from the radio handset to his rifle, personally killing three enemy soldiers at close range. After receiving E-8C cueing, with complete disregard for his own safety and running low on ammunition, he left his armored personnel carrier during the blinding sandstorm to confirm enemy armor locations. While under intense enemy fire, Sergeant Shropshire single-handedly directed the employment of 12 joint direct attack munitions destroying ten T-72 tanks and dismounting enemy forces about to overrun the unit’s position. After hastily repairing his bullet ridden satellite antenna and with not time to spare before the enemy reached his position, he quickly coordinated another air strike destroying additional approaching enemy armor. Throughout the battle, Sergeant Shropshire repeatedly placed himself in grave danger while performing his duties. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Shropshire has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.