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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Jesse Adam Snow, United States Army, for valorous achievement while serving as a Radio Telephone Operator for 3d Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM X-XI. Specialist Jesse A. Snow demonstrated the highest standard of performance and valor on 14 November 2010, by safeguarding Sergeant Outman and other wounded soldiers until Specialist Snow himself was fatally wounded during an operation in the Watapur Valley, Afghanistan. His selfless actions and disregard for personal safety saved the lives of numerous soldiers, reflecting great credit upon him, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY CITATION:
Specialist Jesse A. Snow, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as a Radio Telephone Operator on 14 November 2010 during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 14 November 2010, in support of Operation Bulldog Bite Phase IIC East, Specialist Snow’s fearless and courageous actions saved not only the life of Sergeant Outman, but also the life of Sergeant Robertson and the LEP who were critically wounded in action. At approximately 0930 hours as 1st Platoon, Alpha Company was crossing the draw to the South of OBJ Cowboys 1, they received SAF and PKM fire. After receiving guidance from ABU 6, 3d Platoon, Alpha Company moved into an overwatch/SBF position to the East of OBJ Cowboys 1 in order to provide support for 1st Platoon moving onto OBJ Cowboys 1. Just before the attack started most of the platoon leadership was in the CP, getting briefed on the next course of action. At 1507 hours, the insurgents initiated an L-shaped ambush on 3d Platoon’s overwatch position, targeting the CP first and then the gun positions. Specialist Snow as located at the CP and his weapon system was destroyed by one of the several RPGs that targeted the CP. Specialist Snow, with disregard to his own life and without a weapon, low crawled back to the CP location in order to assist the wounded from the initial barrage of machine gun fire that targeted the CP. Specialist Snow then assisted in the recovery of Sergeant Robertson and the LEP by helping Sergeant First Class Fleming drag the two wounded Soldiers over 30 feet to a more secure CCP located to the west. Specialist Snow low crawled and maneuvered through multiple RPGs and an overwhelming amount of machine gun fire in order to secure his two fallen comrades. Specialist Snow then provided life saving first aid to the LEP as he simultaneously spotted targets for the machine gun team of Sergeant Bloom and Specialist Johnson. Despite the enemy breaking through the perimeter to the East and advancing on his current location, Specialist Snow noticed the gun team was running low on ammunition; he then maneuvered through intense enemy fire to secure more ammunition for the machine gun team. After Specialist Snow re-supplied the gun positions with more ammunition, he started performing life saving first aid on Sergeant Outman. The enemy volume of fire continued to increase, dwindling away the 18 inches of effective cover that Specialist Snow as utilizing to treat Sergeant Outman, as they drew closer to his position. Specialist Snow then without hesitation and disregard to his own personal safety placed himself on top of Sergeant Outman shielding him from incoming machine gun fire as he again performed life saving first aid. Specialist Snow’s heroic actions were directly responsible for preventing further casualties to his platoon by safeguarding Sergeant Outman and other wounded Soldiers until Specialist Snow himself was fatally wounded. Specialist Snow’s courageous actions on 14 November 2010 saved the lives of three fellow brothers in arms and also solely denied the enemy the ability to capture any American Soldiers. Specialist Snow’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects distinct credit upon himself, this Command, the Combined Joint Task Force, and the United States Army.