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 Master Sergeant Carl L. Schmidt, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as the Team Sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha 3232 (ODA-3232), Special Operations Task Force – Northeast, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 24 December 2013. Master Sergeant Schmidt distinguished himself by entering the beaten path of enemy fire despite sustaining a gun shot wound to the face in order to reach isolated mounted elements and gain fire superiority over the enemy and support pinned down positions. His disregard for personal safety and intestinal fortitude allowed him to lead both U.S. and partner forces to overwhelm an enemy that initially fixed friendly forces without the ability to maneuver. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, the Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Master Sergeant Carl L. Schmidt, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself through exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy while serving as the Detachment Operations Sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha 3232, Camp NEW, Sarobi District, Kabul Province in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 24 December 2013, the detachment conducted a joint combat reconnaissance patrol of Angartuk Village, Sarobi District. This village was a known staging area for insurgent groups to conduct attacks on Highway 7. As detachment dismounts moved from the village to prepare for exfiltration, the element began taking extremely effective PKM and small arms fire from both the north and south ridgelines that surrounded the village. Additionally, an extensive wadi system canalized all friendly movement to one singular road that led into the village. As part of the dismounted element, Master Sergeant Schmidt returned fire and maneuvered to the nearest partner force vehicle. Master Sergeant Schmidt began directing fires with organic weapon systems from the partner force vehicle as enemy fire increased in both frequency and accuracy. Since crew served weapon systems on both the adjacent USSF vehicles malfunctioned leaving the main body unprotected, Master Sergeant Schmidt began directing partner force vehicles to increase their rate of fire, as well as return fire with his own weapon system despite overwhelmingly accurate enemy fire. In the process of re-engaging the enemy, Master Sergeant Schmidt sustained a gunshot wound to the face, resulting in an extensive laceration to his upper lip. Without hesitation and despite the wound, Master Sergeant Schmidt continued to re-engage the enemy and coordinate the actions of all ground elements. With enemy fire intensifying, Master Sergeant Schmidt identified that two adjacent vehicles were isolated from detachment leadership, receiving enemy fire, and were in position to support a friendly dismounted observation point hat was also receiving effective fire. With complete disregard for his own safety and while still profusely bleeding from his wound, Master Sergeant Schmidt willingly exposed himself to accurate and intense enemy fire making a 100 meter bound in order to fix the malfunctioning crew served weapon systems. After correcting the malfunctions and while still under intense enemy fire, Master Sergeant Smith continued to expose himself to enemy fire in order to direct fires and mutually support the friendly observation point. Lastly, Master Sergeant Schmidt coordinated through the Detachment’s partner force to contact the District Chief of Police to deploy a quick reaction force to assist the fixed friendly forces. Master Sergeant Schmidt’s actions resulted in 1 x EKIA, 3 x EWIA and the patrol achieving fire superiority over an enemy force that held the dominating terrain. Master Sergeant Schmidt’s actions reflect the highest credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command, and the United States Army.