(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 Sergeant McKenna Frank Miller, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in action on 17 December 2010, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. On that date, Captain David Fox, three French engineers, an interpreter, an Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) commander and Sergeant Miller were conducting a site assessment for future placement of an ANSF checkpoint when the team was engaged by the enemy. From his position Captain Fox noticed that his security elements were taking small arms and Rocket-propelled grenade attacks from two separate enemy positions. He moved the survey element to the top of a ridgeline to engage the enemy when a devastating improvised explosive device detonated near the team, leaving Captain Fox unconscious, killing a French Captain and critically wounding the ANSF commander. From his position on the ground, Sergeant Miller hear the large explosion atop the ridgeline but could only see a large plume of black smoke billowing up from where Captain Fox and the assessment team were located. At that moment he had broken transmission with Captain Fox and lost radio contact. Due to the mountainous terrain, it made radio communications more restricted. Not long afterwards only Captain Fox’s words, “urgentÉsurgical” could be heard over the radio. When Sergeant Miller reached Captain Fox’s location, he found the Captain still dazed from the blast but able to move on his own. Sergeant Miller organized the element to extract the French engineer’s body and the wounded ANSF commander. He carried the KIA down the mountain to the emergency helicopter landing zone for evacuation, painstakingly making his way down the mountain, all-the-while taking sustained fire from the enemy. Soaked in the French engineer’s blood, he stumbled and fell due to the weight on his back. As the men approached a dried up wadi at the base of the mountain, Sergeant Miller fell once more, in agonizing pain due to severely strained hamstrings. He and Captain Fox took cover in the wadi until evacuation could be effected for the team, the KIA, and the wounded. 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.