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 Erick Gallardo, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, in action against the enemy on 25 October 2007, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Staff Sergeant Gallardo’s aggressive actions, blatant disregard for his own welfare, selfless service, and courageous leadership while under an extreme enemy fire were the determining factors in his platoon overcoming the enemy ambush and preventing a U.S. soldier from being captured. His unwavering example of heroism led to mission accomplishment and prevented many of his fellow Paratroopers from losing their lives.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
On 25 October 2007, Staff Sergeant Gallardo’s platoon was conducting a movement to contact to interdict enemy forces on the Gatigal spur in order to provide overwatch for 2d and 3d Platoon’s exfil back to Combat Outpost VIMOTO and the KORENGAL Outpost. The patrol was also responsible for providing overwatch from the top of Honcho Hill. While conducting their exfil from the platoon’s blocking position, Staff Sergeant Gallardo’s platoon was ambushed by an Anti-Coalition Militia (ACM) element ranging from ten to fifteen personnel utilizing an “L” shaped near ambush position that was ten meters from the platoon’s route. The ACM had multiple RPGs, PKMs, and AK-47s that were firing from the ambush line from the south and west of Staff Sergeant Gallardo’s position. The ACM fighters initiated the contact with an RPG and a burst of PKM, which immediately hit and wounded two members of the lead fire team, Sergeant Brennan and Specialist Eckrode. Without any cover and concealment, Staff Sergeant Gallardo bounded through an open area in order to close with his Alpha Team, so that he could receive a situation report and destroy the enemy. He was suppressed by cyclic rates of fire by the ACM PKM and RPG gunners who were just ten to fifteen meters away from his position. Knowing that his Alpha team had sustained severe casualties, Staff Sergeant Gallardo began maneuvering his Bravo team up towards him, in order to better suppress and envelop the enemy force. While moving under extremely effective enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Gallardo was struck in his ACH by an AK-47 round. Despite being temporarily disoriented and still under an intense amount of enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Gallardo continued to suppress the enemy and maneuver his Bravo team towards the enemy. His forward bounds were met with intense volleys of PKM and RPT fire, including two RPG rounds that struck within a few feet of his element’s position. Realizing the enemy’s significant firepower and well-fortified position, Staff Sergeant Gallardo ordered his only unwounded M-249 gunner to suppress the enemy while he personally led a three-man element forward to assault the enemy positions with hand grenades. After throwing multiple volleys of hand grenades, he led his element in an assault through the enemy position. Staff Sergeant Gallardo assaulted through the enemy’s original ambush position and immediately began administering aid to Specialist Eckrode. Meanwhile, two other members of his squad advanced forward and observed two enemy personnel who were attempting to carry away Sergeant Brennan. Staff Sergeant Gallardo’s soldiers engaged the enemy, killing one and causing the other to flee. Staff Sergeant Gallardo then began consolidating his force, administering first aid to Sergeant Brennan, recovering Sergeant Brennan’s equipment, giving situation reports to his Platoon Leader, and coordinating for the MEDEVAC of Sergeant Brennan and four other wounded soldiers in his platoon. Staff Sergeant Gallardo’s aggressive actions, blatant disregard for his own welfare, selfless service, and courageous leadership while under an extreme enemy fire were the determining factors in his platoon overcoming the enemy ambush and preventing a U.S. soldier from being captured. His unwavering example of heroism led to mission accomplishment and prevented many of his fellow Paratroopers from losing their lives.