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 Octavio Nunez, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as an Infantry Squad Leader with 3d Platoon, Charlie Company, the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, in combat action against enemy forces in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 14 May 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Nunez’s courage in the face of the enemy and risk of his own life to save the lives of his wounded comrades directly led to the expedient recovery of two critically injured soldiers. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force Blue Spader, the Dagger Brigade Combat Team, the First Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
On the afternoon of 14 May 2007, Staff Sergeant Octavio Nunez displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty when it unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his own life, saved two Soldiers from a burning vehicle while under withering enemy fire in Adhamiyah (NE Baghdad), Iraq. Staff Sergeant Nunez, an Infantry squad leader, was conducting a combat patrol with 3d Platoon, Company C, Task Force 1-26 when his platoon was attacked by a deep buried Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that lifted the vehicle 3 to 4 feet into the air and immediately engulfed the occupants in flames. Staff Sergeant Nunez, while under intense enemy fire, rushed to the aid of the four Soldiers that had exited the vehicle covered in flames and screaming for help As Staff Sergeant Nunez ran toward the burning vehicle, he immediately encountered Sergeant Terry Fleming who was still on fire and suffered from severe burns to 70% of his body. Staff Sergeant Nunez tackled Sergeant Fleming to Specialist Alexander could put the flames out with his vehicle’s fire extinguisher. Despite intense fire from enemy forces, Staff Sergeant Nunez was able to drag Sergeant Fleming to the cover of an adjacent vehicle. As enemy forces increased their rate of fire and began to flank the platoon’s position from adjacent alleyways, Staff Sergeant Nunez heroically risked his life a second time to rush to the aid of fellow Soldiers attempting to evacuate Private First Class Avila, suffering from two severely fractured legs and 60% burns to his body, from the close proximity of the burning vehicle. With bullets impacting all around him, from both enemy fire and ammunition and explosives cooking off within the burning vehicle, Staff Sergeant Nunez exposed himself again to enemy fire to load the 230-pound Soldier into the truck since the spine board would not fit. Once Private First Class Avila was secured inside the evacuation vehicle, Staff Sergeant Nunez courageously returned for a third time to the burning wreckage to search for casualties. However the flames became too intense and First Lieutenant Martinez pulled Staff Sergeant Nunez back from the burning vehicle and ordered him to send a SITREP to Company Headquarters located at COP Apache from his vehicle. Staff Sergeant Nunez exposed himself again to enemy fire in order to send the report from First Lieutenant Martinez’s vehicle. After sending the report which allowed the company’s quick reaction force to accurately determine the platoon’s location and enemy situation, Staff Sergeant Nunez returned to check on Sergeant Fleming to prevent him from going into shock. Staff Sergeant Nunez acted quickly and decisively, while risking his life three separate times to rescue his fallen comrades in the face of a determined enemy following a catastrophic IED attack against his combat patrol. Staff Sergeant Nunez’s gallant actions, courageous leadership, and willful risk of his own life saved the lives of two severely wounded Soldiers. For his incredible acts of gallantry, Staff Sergeant Octavio Nunez is recommended for the Silver Star.