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 Specialist Rodny Yefune, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Scout Platoon of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 17 February 2008, at Bodija, Iraq. Specialist Yefune’s outstanding dedication to duty during heavy enemy contact and unquestionable loyalty to his comrades undoubtedly saved American lives and contributed to the overwhelming success of his squad engaged in an enemy close ambush during Operation TOMAHAWK THRASHER IV. Specialist Rodny Yefune’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Specialist Rodny Yefune distinguished himself by exceptional gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States as a Rifleman, Recon Platoon, 2d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, on 17 February 2008, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Displaying uncommon valor under heavy volumes of enemy fire during a combat mission near the village of Bodija, Specialist Yefune maneuvered with another Soldier to attack a well-prepared enemy ambush position of eight insurgents after elements of their squad encountered a close ambush. His actions resulted in the killing of one insurgent and breaking the will of the enemy ambush position, thereby defeating a close ambush and safeguarding the lives of his fellow squad members. On 17 February 2008, the battalion’s Recon Platoon conducted an air assault mission into the village of Bodija during Operation STALKER THRASHER IV, where Specialist Yefune’s squad initially cleared five houses and detained 11 suspects. During the raid, an air weapons team observed eight personnel squirt northeast of Objective Illini, and the ground commander directed Specialist Yefune’s squad to pursue and detain these personnel. While approaching the suspects’ hiding position, his squad’s alpha team became decisively engaged with an enormous volume of effective fire from three AK-47 rifles, one RPK machine gun, and multiple enemy grenades in an enemy close ambush. Upon initial enemy contact, the squad’s lead element became fixed under heavy, sustained and effective enemy fire, the lead team received two friendly casualties, Specialist Yefune’s team leader, Specialist Runyan, led both Specialist Guthrie and Specialist Yefune across a canal on a fallen palm tree under heavy fire to maneuver on the enemy’s position instantly and without hesitation. During this movement, the team leader was mortally wounded, leaving only Specialist Guthrie and Specialist Yefune to continue the attack. While still under RPK fire, Specialist Yefune continued to fire and maneuver on the enemy position, past their squad’s front line trace and into the enemy fighting position. While Specialist Guthrie provided an intermediate support by fire position, Specialist Yefune single-handedly entered and cleared the ambush position, killing one of the insurgents within four meters. As Specialist Yefune continued to clear the canal where the insurgents had emplaced the ambush position, he identified the enemies he had just routed. Specialist Yefune continued his pursuit of the remaining AQI fighters through fire and maneuver with Specialist Guthrie while still under contact until he was ordered to hold his position. Having defeated the close ambush, Specialist Yefune secured his squad’s position and continued to fend off enemy contact while the remnants of his squad treated and evacuated three friendly casualties. The valorous actions that Specialist Yefune displayed on 17 February 2008 reclaimed the initiative from the enemy, defeated a deadly close ambush, gained fire superiority for his squad, and undoubtedly helped save his comrades’ lives. The gallant actions of Specialist Rodny Yefune are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect marked distinction upon himself, the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.