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 Sergeant Matthew D. Coulter, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, in action on 5 July 2007, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. Sergeant Coulter’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD;
In the early hours of 5 July 2007, Able Company conducted an air assault on the village of Tsangar, Kunar Province, in eastern Afghanistan. The village was hostile and known as a Taliban safe haven and training camp. After leaving the HLZ on a dismounted patrol, Sergeant Coulter’s platoon, along with an Afghan National Army (ANA) platoon, received enemy contact from a four to six man element to their front. The platoon began with suppressive small arms fires on the enemy. The enemy’s fire was effective, inflicting two casualties in the first moments of the engagement. INTEL indicated the Anti-Coalition Militia (CM) were surrounding the platoon, as they began receiving a high volume of machine gun and RPG fire from the high ground on their right flank. Immediately Sergeant Coulter called for 155-mm. artillery fire on the enemy’s position. From his second radio, he called for a pair of French Mirage Fighter Jets that cropped two JDAM’s on enemy locations that Sergeant Coulter guided them to. His actions suppressed the enemy attack and allowed his element to continue the search and attack mission through the village. Upon completion of his platoon’s search and attack, his element conducted a link up with the supporting platoon. The platoon conducted a short halt, in order to consolidate and reorganize after traversing the rigorous terrain of Tsangar. While reconsolidating the platoon they received similar ICOM Radio intercepts, as earlier that morning. Within moments, the platoon began to receive intense RPG and machine gun, and small arms fire. The determined enemy secured the high ground and began surrounding Sergeant Coulter’s platoon. Approximately 30 to 80 fighters under Habibullah, the Lashkar-E Tayyiba/Taliban Commander, began maneuvering on Sergeant Coulter’s perimeter and engaging from distances as close as ten meters. Enemy sniper fire inflicted numerous casualties along the east side of the perimeter. Sergeant Coulter reacted without hesitation. He verified all friendly unit locations, and within three minutes, Sergeant Coulter called in 155-mm. artillery to danger close distances. Under intense fire, he continued suppressing the enemy’s attack, and maneuvered around the perimeter. Sergeant Coulter exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order to maintain observation of indirect fires and ensure that his fellow Paratroopers received the most accurate and timely fires. His actions directly prevented the enemy from completely enveloping the friendly position. Sergeant Coulter’s artillery continued unabated for over three hours, while the friendly and enemy forces engaged in intense fighting on the south ridge of Tsangar. Upon receipt of orders to move the casualties to the MEDEVAC HLZ, Sergeant Coulter coordinated for increased indirect fires to cover the company’s movement. Simultaneously, Sergeant Coulter received AH-64’s and F-15’s to support the company movement. These fires were the main deterrence to a relentless enemy that pursued the company during its movement. Sergeant Coulter directed the AH-64’s on critical open areas, where the company received accurate sniper fire during the CASEVAC movement. His actions directly allowed the element to get the casualties to the HLZ without further loss of life. Upon arrival at the MEDEVAC HLZ, Sergeant Coulter continued the fight with enemy forces. As the platoons consolidated security on the HLZ, there were multiple trails above the platoon’s positions with 20 to 50 enemy fighters running down to engage friendly forces. As the Paratroopers braced for a clash of forces, Sergeant Coulter stood bravely on the middle of the HLZ. At another critical moment, Sergeant Coulter guided a reinforcement of AH-64’s onto the trails above the company’s position. The AH-64’s engaged the enemy forces and allowed the second MEDEVAC to leave with the company’s wounded Paratroopers. Sergeant Coulter never quit his post. Throughout the night he stood on the HLZ with a radio in each ear controlling AC-130 and 155-mm. artillery fires. In the 30-hour-long battle, Sergeant Coulter was the decisive Paratrooper of the battle, carrying out the casualties, while simultaneously controlling the AH-64 Apaches that covered the unit’s movement.