The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Van P. Meredith, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous actions while serving as senior weapons sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha-3321, Special Operations Task Force-East, Bagram Airfield in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant distinguished himself by continuing to engage multiple enemy positions after receiving facial wounds from shrapnel during an insurgent ambush. The suppressive fire he provided prevented the dismounted element from being pinned down by interlocking crossfire and allowed them to continue their assault across 400 meters of open terrain in the kill zone. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of Military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan , and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant Van P. Meredith, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face Of the enemy of the United States as Senior Weapons Sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 3321, Special Operations Task Force-bast, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 28 July 2011. ODA 3321, with partnered Afghan National Police (ANP), was conducting a tactical ground movement in northern Jani Kheyl District, Paktya Province, Afghanistan along an unimproved road following the valley floor. Sergeant Meredith was the MK47 Automatic Grenade Launcher gunner Of Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) Due to the high threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)’s in the area. a dismounted element was moving at the front Of the patrol conducting deliberate route clearing Operations. The Assistant Detachment Commander was out Of GMV I leading the dismounted element, leaving Sergeant Meredith as the vehicle commander as well as the main gunner. To mitigate the risk of Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIED)’s, Sergeant Meredith directed GMV I to follow closely behind the dismounted element to provide them protection. Insurgent (INS) radio traffic indicated the mounted patrol was moving towards an INS ambush. At 1 130, as the mounted patrol approached the village of Rabat, the [NS initiated their second ambush of the day with Small Arms Fire (SAP). 82-mm recoilless rifle (SPG-9) rounds and Rocket propelled Grenade (RPG) rounds from the low ground to the 12 o’clock position of the patrol. The first RPG round impacted within 30 meters to the front of GMV I. As the dismounted element began to close with the INS position to the 12 o’clock, across open terrain offering no protection, Sergeant Meredith ordered GM V I to move with them and provide suppressive fire. As the mounted patrol pushed forward, attempting to close the distance With the enemy, two additional RPG rounds impacted within 20 meters to the front of GMV I. The second round sent shrapnel into Sergeant Meredith’s face, wounding him below the left eye. As the mounted patrol maneuvered on the [NS position to the front an additional INS position to the 3 o’clock of the patrol. on the high ground on the southern side Of the valley, began to engage With SAF and RPG fire. With the fire from this new position, ODA 3321 found itself in the kill zone of a well coordinated L-shaped ambush. Sergeant Meredith, without regard for his wounds quickly identified the [NS position and provided suppressive fire to allow the dismounted element to continue forward through the kill Zone. The high explosive 40-mm grenades Sergeant Meredith clearly marked the position and allowed Other vehicles to continue suppressive fire on the INS position as they moved forward, Sergeant Meredith’s suppression of this [NS position was critical as it prevented the dismounted element becoming pinned down in the interlocking fire in the kill zone, enabling them to continue to advance on the enemy position at the 12 o’clock position. As GMV I continued to move forward in support of the dismounted element into the intense enemy fire coming from the position to their front, INS fired another RPG round at Sergeant Meredith’s vehicle. The round narrowly missed the vehicle and detonated on a tree, wounding an interpreter in the ankle, who was a few meters auay. As the patrol reached the intersection of Route Eagles, an additional INS position at the 12 o’clock position further to the cast began to engage the patrol with SAF from a concealed position. The Assistant Detachment Commander moved to GMV I and directed Sergeant Meredith to suppress the nearest enemy position with the MK47 Automatic Grenade Launcher. Sergeant Meredith reported his wounds to the Assistant Detachment Commander and stated he was able to continue. His main weapon ran Out of ammunition and Sergeant Meredith quickly transitioned his alternate Weapon mounted on the turret. Sergeant Meredith accurately placed multiple bursts of M249 Squad Automatic Weapon fire onto the position, forcing the INS to cover. Assistant Detachment Commander ordered Sergeant Meredith to move GMV I to a small hill on Route Eagles south of the intersection. As Sergeant Meredith ordered the driver to move to the position he quickly reloaded his main and secondary weapon systems While under intense heavy volumes Of accurate PKM fire. Once the vehicle was in position he resumed suppressive fire onto the enemy positions. Sergeant Meredith quickly became to focal point of the INS fire, allowing the dismounted element continued movement forward. Rounds impacted the vehicle and Sergeant Meredith’ s radio antenna. mounted on the left side of his body armor was scwered just above his shoulder. Without regard to personal safety SSG Meredith continued to return fire on the determined INS positions. The accuracy of the incoming fire forced Sergeant Meredith to reposition his truck to a secondary position Which afforded him better cover, Sergeant Meredith again provided the critical suppressive fire needed for the dismounted element to continue to push forward. Sergeant Meredith courageously exposed himself to intense enemy fire, and despite his wounds, continued to engage multiple enemy positions providing the crucial suppressive fire needed for the dismounted clement to continue their assault. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions Of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan, and the United States Army

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Van P. Meredith, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous actions in combat on 27 March 2010 in Knowst Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Following a well coordinated ambush by a well trained and numerically superior enemy force, Sergeant Meredith continually exposed himself to accurate and deadly enemy machinegun and rocket propelled grenade fire to provide suppressive fire on insurgent positions. Despite sustaining multiple injuries, he continued to fearlessly engage the enemy. Sergeant Meredith’s courageous actions provided his teammates the ability to maneuver, gain the tactical advantage, and repel the enemy ambush. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan, and the United States Army.