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 Staff Sergeant Mark W. Quigley, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, on 8 January 2008 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Staff Sergeant Quigley’s valorous actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant Mark Quigley, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as an infantry squad leader in Company A, 2d Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, on 8 January 2008 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. On 8 January 2008, 1st Platoon, A Company, 2-327th Infantry, while conducting dismounted reconnaissance of a suspected Al-Qaeda patrol base southwest of Samarra was decisively engaged by a well fortified and determined Al-Qaeda force. The Al-Qaeda base consisted of tumultuous terrain with dense, ten foot high reeds, which made dismounted movement extremely difficult, and limited visibility to less than a meter in most places. 1st Platoon began their search of the dense terrain, spreading their dismounted element in order to maximize their security efforts. Staff Sergeant Quigley and Sergeant Hart were among the first to move through this dense terrain. As they made their way into the reeds their search team became decisively engaged, as an enemy ambush erupted only a few meters in front of their position. Staff Sergeant Quigley observed Sergeant Hart fall during the initial volley of hand grenades and machine gun fire. Staff Sergeant Quigley immediately returned fire with his M4 and threw two grenades in the direction of the enemy. He continued to return fire, expending four magazines of ammunition successfully suppressing the enemy’s advance. Staff Sergeant Quigley then began low crawling, forcing the thick reeds to either side, vigorously making his way to Sergeant Hart’s location. As he edged closer to Sergeant Hart’s location, the volume of enemy fire drastically increased, pinning him down at his location. Staff Sergeant Quigley, knowing that he was beginning to run low on ammunition and that the enemy fire would not allow him to advance, made the quick decision to break contact in order to obtain additional ammunition and reinforcements. Upon making his way out of the dense reeds, Staff Sergeant Quigley, out of breath and heart racing, quickly informed his platoon leader that Sergeant Hart had been severely wounded and needed to be evacuated immediately. Staff Sergeant Quigley instantly secured more magazines and advised his platoon leader of the numerous enemy positions that needed to be destroyed. The platoon quickly reoriented their crew served weapon systems in the direction of the known enemy positions and began effectively suppressing targets. Staff Sergeant Quigley then assembled a four man team and led them back into certain danger, moving swiftly without regard for his own safety to rescue his fallen comrade. Soon after the team had entered the reeds they came under the same AK-47 and hand grenade attacks that Staff Sergeant Quigley had just fought his way out of. He did not falter; Staff Sergeant Quigley shouted and maneuvered, positioning the team to effectively suppress the enemy bunker. He continued to maneuver closer to the point of injury, meanwhile exchanging hand grenades with an enemy that was as close as 10 meters from his position. Under the direction and leadership of Staff Sergeant Quigley, he and his team successfully suppressed this well fortified and determined enemy. As they came upon Sergeant Hart’s location, Staff Sergeant Quigley and his team successfully freed Sergeant Hart from his IBA, and were able to control his profuse bleeding before carrying him to the company CCP. Heroically, those four men recovered Sergeant Hart within minutes under heavy machine gun fire. Medics on site were able to stabilize Sergeant Hart due to such a swift retrieval; however he later died of his wounds during aerial MEDEVAC. Staff Sergeant Quigley’s valorous actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.