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 Rashe R. Hall, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with First Platoon, Company B, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne), in action against the enemy during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan, on 21 August 2006. Staff Sergeant Hall’s personal bravery and selfless actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant Rashe R. Hall bravery and heroism in his action on 21 August 2006, while conducting a route clearance patrol from Naka, Afghanistan in support of Task Force Catamount and operation Sadra Omnyat. First Platoon, Company B, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne) was ambushed by approximately 20 enemy combatants with approximately seven rounds of RPG-9 and a heavy volume of small arms fire. RPGs achieved four direct hits on three vehicles, totally destroying two M1114s and seriously damaging the RG-31. The enemy forces emplaced themselves in four or five covered and concealed positions and attacked in platoon strength approximately 100 meters from the convoy’s position. One ACM ran onto the roadway and directed an RPG-9 at an M1114 from a distance of 25 meters. The ACMs were well equipped wearing BDU style uniforms and armed with AK-47s, RPG9 and crew served weapons systems. Their morale and motivation seemed high given their decision to attack a heavily armed Route Clearance Package. The terrain the enemy chose for the ambush favored the attacker. The wooded terrain made it extremely difficult for U.S. Forces to see the enemy positions and provided excellent cover and concealment for the ACMs. The ambush kill zone chosen by the enemy was extremely steep and wooded with a wadi on one side of the road (west) and a hill on the other (east) side. These factors canalized B Company forces and limited our ability to deploy and repel their attack as they engaged from covered and concealed positions. Additionally, the patrol took nine casualties out of the 17 U.S. Soldiers present during the initial barrage, limiting our ability to fix the ACM forces. The weather was clear and hot with the temperature in the mid 80s. As Staff Sergeant Hall entered the kill zone, the enemy initiated the ambush with RPG-9 rounds, hitting the first M1114 in the order of march. The vehicle became disabled after traveling approximately 40 meters and caught fire. The enemy continued to engage 1st Platoon with RPGs and small arms fire from both sides of the road. Six more RPGs were fired, one struck an RG-31 and the other struck the left rear window of the M1114 in which Staff Sergeant Hall was a passenger, missing his head by only inches. The blast of the RPG caused severe shrapnel wounds and burns to the left side of his face and neck as well as serious shrapnel wounds that left his arm useless. The shrapnel from the RPG cut the straps from his AHC, tearing it from his head, and a large piece of shrapnel also impacted the front plate on his IBA. Staff Sergeant Hall was on fire and rolled out of the vehicle into the wadi. Once the flames on this clothing and face were extinguished, Staff Sergeant Hall ran back up onto the road and took a weapon (M-4) from Specialist Koch, the platoon medic. Although severely wounded and without a helmet or IBA and bleeding profusely from his face and neck and also without use of his right arm, Staff Sergeant Hall not only returned fire but charged up the hill towards the enemy positions in an attempt to break up the ambush and get his Soldiers out of the kill zone. His suppressive fire prevented enemy forces from effectively engaging Soldiers in the kill zone. Staff Sergeant Hall then returned to the temporary casualty collection point and instead of receiving first aid for his own wounds, began assisting the medic by treating his wounded Soldiers. Enemy fire intensified again and Staff Sergeant Hall then took another weapon from Specialist Urdhal and continued to provide suppressive fire while the wounded were walked out of the kill zone behind the cover of the Husky. Staff Sergeant Hall once again, this time with Specialist Leach in support, bravely ran up the hill towards the enemy positions, providing suppressive fire, while the wounded were cross loaded into the three remaining vehicles. At the rally point, Staff Sergeant Hall conferred with Staff Sergeants Barrett and Cornelius and only after being assured that all of his Soldiers were accounted for, was the last man loaded in a vehicle for the return trip to the FOB. On the return trip to the FOB he continued to monitor the status of his casualties on the radio. This was an increasingly difficult task because his face was swelling and blood was pouring into his throat. Staff Sergeant Hall’s bravery and personal sacrifice prevented enemy forces from continuing their assault on our forces. With nine wounded Soldiers out of 17 in the patrol, every Soldier was performing first aid on somebody. Staff Sergeant Hall saw the seriousness of the situation and acted to suppress the enemy positions allowing the wounded to be evacuated. His actions allowed a combat ineffective RCP to extricate itself from a prepared ambush location, saving the lives of his Soldiers. It is unknown how many ACM were killed or wounded during this attack and the site was later secured by elements of Company D, 2d Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment.