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 Robert William Schultz, United States Army, for gallantry in action from 20 March 2003 to 14 April 2003, under hostile fire while serving as the Brigade Reconnaissance Troop Commander (Troop D, 10th Cavalry Regiment), for the Sledge Hammer Brigade, 3 Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized), in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. As the Brigade Reconnaissance Troop Commander, he provided the leadership and command required to support the defeat the 11th Infantry Division, the Republican Guard, Special Republican Forces, Saddam Fedayeen and other paramilitary forces defending Baghdad. His performance of duty in combat reflects great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division (Mechanized) “Rock Of The Marne,” and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
For heroism in conjunction with military operations against a hostile force in Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Captain Schultz distinguished himself as the D Troop, 10th Cavalry Commander during 21 days of continuous combat, commanding a Battalion Reconnaissance Team providing the eyes and ears of a Brigade consisting of over 4000 Soldiers and 1200 vehicles. Captain Schultz commanded as the lead unit during the defeat of the 11th Infantry Division resulting in 10 enemy KIA and 11 EPWs (Enemy Prisoners of War) in vicinity of Tallil Air Base; the defeat of Military and Paramilitary forces vicinity both as Samawah resulting in over 25 EPWs and 20 enemy KIA; Karbala resulting in over 200 KIA, 15 EPWs, and 11 destroyed enemy vehicles including a T-72, and most notably, the defeat of Republican Guard Forces defending Baghdad resulting in over 50 enemy KIA, 20 vehicles destroyed and over 20 EPWs. During combat operations with the 11th Infantry Division, he gained and maintained the first contact with defending Iraqi forces enabling the Brigade to defeat the remainder of the division and the eventual safe passage of the rest of the Third Infantry Division and I MEF. His checkpoint operations in vicinity of Samawah and Karbala resulted in the capture of four IIS agents as EPWs, disrupted the integrating of enemy defensive efforts, and proved decisive in sustaining open lines of communications for the forward passage of the Corps and Division’s combat power and sustainment base. During continuous combat operations, Captain Schultz, with complete disregard for his own safety, continually exposed himself while maneuvering to critical locations on the battlefield in order to ensure the lines of communications remained open. In Karbala, his troop was continuously forced to displace from forward observation positions by effective indirect fire, and continued to reposition forward to destroy enemy defensive positions. He directed effective fires, both direct and indirect, for his troop thus defeating Iraqi aggression. Captain Schultz commanded from the front during the defeat of the 11th Division, Saddam Fedayeen, Medina, Hamarabi and Special Republican Guard Divisions, thus contributing to the defeat of Iraqi Military forces loyal to Saddam Hussein. Captain Schultz’s personal bravery, heroic command under sustained periods of hostile fire, and selfless devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.