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 Captain (Infantry) James Robert Enos, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM at Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on 4 December 2006. His leadership and valor are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force 1-9 Infantry, the Raider Brigade, the Multi-National Corps – Iraq, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Captain James Robert Enos displayed exceptional valor, courage, and leadership while engaged with the enemy of the United States and Iraq as the Company Commander for Dog Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on 4 December 2006. On 4 December 2006, Dog Company was participating in Operation SACKETTS HARBOR – a Battalion Operation to attack to clear the insurgent stronghold of SOFIA and SAJARIAH. Dog Company had been in sporadic small arms and IED contact with the enemy in the preceding days. The company was positioned in three mutually supporting strong points that were 500 – 800 meters apart. The company was conducting reconnaissance patrols to find and gain contact with the enemy that was known to be in the area. At approximately 1515, his first platoon came under accurate sniper fire, took one urgent casualty, and requested an immediate air CASEVAC. Within the next 15 minutes, the entire first platoon had become pinned by heavy enemy fire from two directions. Captain Enos declared a TIC and began to take control of ISR and CAS. Four tanks from the Battalion QRF were ordered to begin moving to his position. He cancelled the air CASEVAC, determining it was too dangerous and directed a ground MEDEVAC element to move to and evacuate the Soldier. This element also came under heavy enemy fire and fought their way into the platoon. At about 1545 this element reached the casualty and now the second and third platoons started receiving heavy and accurate small arms fire and grenades. While under heavy enemy fire, he high crawled around the rooftop to command and control his company that was now fully engaged by a determined enemy from multiple directions. Captain Enos maneuvered the four tanks into position to destroy an enemy machine gun position. At approximately 1630 the entire company continued to be in heavy contact. Captain Enos’ position and his second platoon’s position were now being engaged with accurate enemy 82-mm. and 120-mm mortar fire which caused two friendly KIAs with second platoon and several more wounded. For the next hour, with his entire company locked in close combat, Captain Enos high crawled on the room under fire directing devastating close air support, mortar, and artillery strikes onto identified enemy positions. At the same time, he continued to direct the tanks and the fires of his three platoons to suppress and destroy additional enemy positions. Under these covering fires, he directed the CASEVAC for four badly wounded Soldiers which saved their lives. Throughout this entire action, Captain Enos demonstrated strong and calm leadership while directing a chaotic battle and personally under constant enemy fire. His leadership kept the company in the fight and the enemy was killed and driven from the battlefield that day. His leadership and valor are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force 1-9 Infantry, the Raider Brigade, the Multi-National Corps – Iraq, and the United States Army.