The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Sergeant Ryan K. Pass, United States Marine Corps, for heroic achievement in operations against the enemy as Critical Skills Operator, Marine Special Operations Team 8131, Marine Special Operations Company C, First Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 14 June 2012. While conducting Village Stability Operations in the Upper Gereshk Valley of Afghanistan’s volatile Helmand Province, Sergeant Pass’s patrol came under heavy and accurate volumes of small arms, medium machinegun, and rocket-propelled grenade fire. With two Marines critically wounded and complete disregard for his own life, Sergeant Pass scaled a ladder leading to his wounded teammates and began initial casualty care as machinegun and small arms fire impacted all around him. Simultaneously, he provided overwhelming suppressive fire from the M249 light machinegun, while singlehandedly moving each of the wounded Marines to a staging point where they could be retrieved from the rooftop position. He held his position while engaging multiple enemy firing points until the post became untenable due to the barrage of enemy fire targeting him. Courageously, he then acted as litter bearer, moving through an open field saturated with heavy enemy machinegun and grenade fire in order to evacuate his wounded teammates, ultimately saving the lives of his comrades. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Sergeant Pass reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]