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 Andrew Scott Harriman, United States Army, for gallantry in action as R & S Medic with Troop C, 5th Squadron, 73d Cavalry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, while under intense machine gun fire, by providing life saving medical care to a fellow Paratrooper on 5 March 2007, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Specialist Harriman’s bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflects marked distinction upon himself, the 3d Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Task Force HEADHUNTER, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Specialist Andrew S. Harriman distinguished himself through his gallantry in combat as a Platoon Medic, C Troop, 5th Squadron, 73d Cavalry (Airborne Reconnaissance), FOB CALDWELL, Iraq, on 5 March 2007 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Specialist Harriman was moving dismounted with an R & S team from 1st Platoon, B Troop, in an extremely hostile area of the Diyala River Valley, in order to conduct Omni-Sense emplacement and reconnaissance of As Sadah. Enemy insurgents were dug in with machine gun positions, pre-positioned IED’s on their exfiltration routes and mannequins in the windows of the village to appear as if the buildings were occupied. The R & S team began their movement from the Iraqi Army compound in Al Abarrah. Specialist Harriman and the R & S team were infiltrating south along Route Canal in a staggered column when they came under intense machine gun fire from the Iraqi Police Station on the north side of the canal adjacent to their position. The R & S team quickly sought cover. One of the soldiers moved to a mound of dirt on the road for cover, but before he could take cover he was shot multiple times through his buttocks, scrotum, and legs. Both of his femoral arteries were severed causing life-threatening bleeding. Sergeant Cole and Sergeant Grimsley attempted to move to the wounded Private First Class’ location and provide aid but both were pinned down by the accurate, intensifying machine gun fire. Specialist Harriman, without orders and without regard for his own safety, moved in the open over 100 feet under a hail of machine gun fire to reach the wounded Private First Class. Rounds were striking his body armor and medical bag as he moved yet he courageously pressed on. Multiple rounds hit his aid bag destroying much of his medical supplies. Specialist Harriman treated the wounded man while lying prone, emplacing two tourniquets high on his legs and initiating a Fast-1 IV through the wounded man’s sternum, all while under intense direct fire. The Quick Reaction Force arrived from the north causing the Iraqi Police to cease fire when they realized they had been firing on coalition forces. Once the firing stopped, the R & S team and the QRF quickly moved back to the Iraqi Army compound and established the Helicopter Landing Zone for MEDEVAC. Specialist Harriman’s heroic actions and resolve under fire were directly responsible for saving the life of a fellow Paratrooper. His courage under fire is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects distinct credit upon himself, the 3d Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Task Force HEADHUNTER, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.