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 Timothy Kendall Gilboe, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous service to the United States as a Team Leader in 2d Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Task Force WARRIOR, Afghanistan, on 28 April 2011, during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Sergeant Gilboe’s bravery and courage under fire reflect distinct credit upon himself, the combined Joint Task Forces – Afghanistan, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant Timothy Kendall Gilboe distinguished himself by conspicuous bravery in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy while serving with Apache Company, 2d Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 28 April 2011, in Jaghato District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. On 28 April 2011, Sergeant Gilboe and his squad maneuvered to conduct battle damage assessment near the village of Awatala, Afghanistan, after wounding two insurgents. As the squad passed several qulats, two other insurgents burst from behind the qulat wall, less than 30 meters away, and fired roughly sixty rounds at the squad, mortally wounding the squad leader Matthew Daniel Hermanson, severely wounding the platoon leader, and igniting the rucksack of the assistant machine-gunner, Private First Class Scott Anderson. The remaining squad member returned fire, driving the enemy back into the qulat. After initially suppressing the insurgents, Sergeant Gilboe quickly moved to extinguish Anderson’s flaming assault pack which was full of ammunition. While Sergeant Gilboe smothered the flames, two insurgents returned and rushed towards Sergeant Gilboe and Private Anderson. A fellow team member, (Air Force JTAC Staff Sergeant Andrew Lyle Corean) on the other side of the qulat shot one of the insurgents, and Sergeant Gilboe spun around to see the other insurgent closing within ten meters. Without regard for his personal safety and with no time to reposition his machine gun, Sergeant Gilboe, unarmed, charged the insurgent. Demonstrating incredible bravery and quick thinking, Sergeant Gilboe grabbed the insurgent’s AK-47 barrel and forced the muzzle to his chest plate as the insurgent fired a burst into Sergeant Gilboe’s body armor, spraying shrapnel into Sergeant Gilboe’s legs and knocking the wind out of him. Sergeant Gilboe, temporarily unable to breathe, grappled the insurgent, removing his weapon and fighting hand-to-hand for a position of advantage. Sergeant Gilboe struck a stunning blow to the insurgent’s face, creating enough space for Private First Class Anderson to kill the insurgent. With his squad leader and platoon leader severely wounded, and suffering wounds himself, Sergeant Gilboe immediately took charge of the remaining squad members, clearing the rest of the qulat of any more insurgents. Despite his own injuries and severe pain from internal bruising, Sergeant Gilboe established security with his team and rendered first aid to the casualties until the trail squad medic could prepare them for medical evacuation. Sergeant Gilboe then assisted in carrying his fellow Soldiers to the medical evacuation helicopter before allowing himself to be treated and evacuated. Sergeant Gilboe’s actions throughout the entire engagement demonstrated exemplary bravery and leadership under extreme pressure. Faced with almost certain death at close range, he aggressively charged the enemy and won the fight. Sergeant Gilboe directly risked his life to protect his fellow Soldiers. His actions saved the lives of at least two Soldiers and resulted in the death of two insurgent fighters, one of whom was a High Value Target. His valorous actions under intense enemy fire are the epitome of personal courage, dedication to duty, and commitment to his fellow Soldiers.