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 First Class Danny R. Hall, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Medical Sergeant for Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 041 (ODA-041), 2d Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). In action against the enemy at Balad Ruz, Iraq, on 4 April 2005, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, 06-08. Sergeant First Class Hall’s heroic and aggressive actions led to the defeat of insurgents, the survival of Operational Detachment Alpha, and the success of the detachment’s operations. Sergeant First Class Hall’s performance of duty is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant First Class Danny R. Hall distinguished himself by gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy forces near Tawhilla, Iraq on 4 April, 2005 while serving as the Medical Sergeant for Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 041 (ODA-041), 2d Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Sergeant First Class Hall’s heroism and bravery under intense enemy fire was directly responsible for the safety and well being of a combined 140-man US-Iraqi force and the death of 3 Anti Iraqi Forces (AIF) members. While searching for an AIF training camp/cache site in the vicinity of Balad Ruz, the combined force was caught in a 150 meter long L-Shaped ambush by a platoon-sized force simultaneously firing Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), mortars, PKMs, AK-47s and throwing hand grenades. The combined force broke contact and called for air support. After an initial air strike by F-16 aircraft armed with 500-pound GBUs, the Iraqi Army (IA) element attacked across the objective, immediately receiving enemy fire. The enemy’s withering fire wounded numerous soldiers, and restricted the ability to of the Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) to call further Close Air Support. Quickly recognizing the need for action and in an attempt to maintain order and discipline among the Iraqi forces facing overwhelming firepower, Sergeant First Class Hall sprung into action to destroy the AIF fighters and recover wounded Iraqi soldiers. Sergeant First Class Hall, as the senior man of the element, dismounted his vehicle and maneuvered the ODA and attachments against enemy forces. Personally leading the charge, Sergeant First Class Hall exchanged multiple hand grenade volleys with the enemy while being engaged at close range by RPG’s and small arms fire. Sergeant First Class Hall then directed his element to enter a nearby trench where they discovered three AIF fighters. Sergeant First Class Hall, the lead man in the element, reacted quickly and engaged the enemy, killing three AIF and saving the lives of the Detachment members behind him. While clearing another portion of the trench line, a number of U.S soldiers assigned to the 1-278th Military Transition Team received debilitating wounds. The Operations Sergeant ordered suppressive fire and attempted to recover one of the American soldiers. The AIF attempted to capitalize on this situation and directed additional small arms and grenade fire at the wounded soldier. Again, Sergeant First Class Hall reacted without regard to his personal safety. Under intense enemy fire, Sergeant First Class Hall moved to the wounded soldier and assisted in his evacuation. Sergeant First Class Hall then called for litters and litter crews, established a Helicopter Landing Zone and casualty collection point while under fire and stayed with the fallen soldiers, rendering lifesaving aid until aircraft arrived. He supervised and prioritized the evacuation of the multiple wounded and killed in action throughout the day. Sergeant First Class Hall’s actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of a Special Forces Medic, serving as both a rifleman and a combat medic. His demonstrated exceptional heroism, selflessness and lifesaving medical competence proved infectious to the entire ODA as he rallied his comrades in the face of overwhelming enemy firepower. Throughout the engagement, Sergeant First Class Hall’s decisiveness, calm demeanor and aggressive spirit allowed the ODA to close with and destroy the enemy elements, to include 17 AIF Killed in Action, 5 destroyed vehicles and numerous weapons. Sergeant First Class Hall’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of heroic military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.