(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 ****** Walwrath, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in action against the enemy in support of Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL in Afghanistan, on 16 August 2017. On that date his Task Force conducted a dismounted mission alongside the Afghan National Army’s 8th Special Operations Kandak Commandos. The goal was to clear the area in the highly contested Mohmand Velley in Southern Nangarhar, to dislodge entrenched ISIS-K fighters. The element had taken heavy fire for eight hours, and as darkness fell, and explosive weapon detonated inside the building the team had been preparing to occupy, and enemy fighters launched a coordinated attack, using the explosion that injured more than 30 troops to their advantage. Although bleeding profusely from his own wounds, Staff Sergeant Walwrath completely disregarded his own suffering to immerse himself in the care of his wounded comrades. He assessed and aided the injured soldiers closest to him, then moved throughout the blast area to help move and treat a mortally wounded soldier. This was accomplished while exposing himself to enemy fire. At one point, he used his own body to shield one of the wounded soldiers from an incoming rocket-propelled grenade. In the midst of the chaos, Staff Sergeant Walrath calmly communicated with the caregivers under his direction so they could provide aid to the wounded. He ensured that as many wounded troops as possible were placed on the overcrowded medevac helicopters, declining to evacuate himself before anyone else. On his own accord, he ignored all sense of self-preservation and continued to maneuver dismounted with his element, exchanging fire with the enemy until he was no longer able to walk under his own power. His 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.