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 First Class Michael A. Duchesne, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 13 June 2011 during combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, as a Ranger Platoon Sergeant for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Sergeant Duchesne led his platoon on a daylight mission to interdict a suspected suicide bomber. Upon arrival to the target building his platoon was engaged by enemy fire. Sergeant Duchesne continued to fight and lead his platoon in close contact with the enemy, despite a gunshot wound to his arm, for more than two hours with total disregard for his own safety. He personally led the clearance of the target building, inspiring his men to close with and eliminate the enemy before allowing himself to be medically evacuated. Sergeant First Class Duchesne’s distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant First Class Michael A. Duchesne distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous achievement on June 13, 2011 while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, serving as a Ranger Platoon Sergeant. Sergeant First Class Michael Duchesne squad was part of a daylight mission to interdict a suspected suicide bomber. During the initial containment, Sergeant First Class Duchesne arrived at the target compound shortly after the Alpha Team Leader from 2nd squad. Spotting a man fleeing south from the target compound, Sergeant First Class Duchesne sent a portion of his element to interdict. Sergeant First Class Duchesne and his platoon medic covered the team’s sector of fire, the southeastern gate of the compound, preventing further enemy escape. At that moment, the enemy inside the compound opened fire. Sergeant First Class Duchesne was hit by the first burst in the chest plate, fragmenting the bullet and terminating in his forearm. The resulting wound would later require 30 staples to close the wound cavity. Despite his wounds and effective enemy fire he continued to fight and direct his men’s fires onto known enemy positions within the compound. The platoon was able to regain the initiative as a direct result of Sergeant First Class Duchesne’s decisive actions and direction. Knowing that his Platoon Sergeant had been wounded, the platoon leader called immediately for a CASEVAC, but Sergeant First Class Duchesne refused to leave his men and refused narcotics for his pain knowing it would impair his ability to continue the fight. He then moved to the northern portion of the compound, directed effective fires and employed grenades on the enemy positions. During these critical moments in the battle, Sergeant First Class Duchesne gave his rifle to one of his squad leaders whose own weapon had malfunctioned. For the ensuing hour and a half of fighting, he was armed with only a sidearm, unable to employ a rifle as a result of his wounds, yet continued to maneuver his platoon and direct the firefight with total disregard for his wounds. Sergeant First Class Duchesne twice led the western element off the target area and set up a defensive perimeter as the platoon leader directed two separate employments of missiles onto the enemy fighting position. During the second engagement, intelligence assets reported a known enemy combatant moving into the wood line between his element and the target compound. Sergeant First Class Duchesne directed the interdiction team to quickly establish blocking positions as he directed the employment of the multi-purpose canine. The platoon interdicted and killed the armed combatant as a direct result of Sergeant First Class Duchesne’s clear and decisive direction. Following the second missile engagement, Sergeant First Class Duchesne maneuvered his element forward and prepared to assault the target compound. During the clearance, Sergeant First Class Duchesne moved towards a reduced enemy position to clear the rubble. In the corner, he found a combatant barricaded among the rubble, holding a grenade. Sergeant First Class Duchesne quickly closed with the enemy and finished the fight with his sidearm. Despite his wounds and loss of blood, his courage under fire, and calm competent decisions prevented further injury to the assault force. After consolidating, reorganizing and overseeing the security plan, the platoon called a CASEVAC for Sergeant First Class Duchesne- a full two and a half hours after his initial injury. Sergeant First Class Michael A. Duchesne’s technical and tactical proficiency, calmness under fire and decisiveness were critical to the platoon’s accomplishment of the mission and the safety of its Rangers. His superior performance, competence and stamina contributed significantly to mission completion and success throughout the operation. Sergeant First Class Michael A. Duchesne distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the United States Army and the Department Of Defense.