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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Robert Donevski, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States Army as an Automatic Rifleman in Baker Company, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Korengal Valley, Afghanistan on 16 January 2010 during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM X. His superior combat knowledge, tireless efforts and dedication to mission success are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Lethal Warrior Battalion, Task Force MOUNTAIN WARRIOR, Combined Joint Task Force-82, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
On 16 January 2010, an element consisting of 1st Platoon, Baker Company, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment and 3d Company, 2d Brigade, 3d Kandac, 201st Corps Afghan National Army (ANA) and Embedded Tactical Team (ETT) 7-5 conducted a joint patrol to Darbart village in the Korengal Valley. The purpose of the patrol was to conduct a key leader engagement (KLE) with the elders of Darbart in order to improve relations with the villagers and deny the enemy the use of a crucial southern village in the Korengal Valley. Specialist Donevski, a grenadier, was a part of 1st Platoon’s lead maneuver element and tasked with providing overwatch for the ANA and ETT elements as they set up near the KLE site in Darbart village. As the patrol moved sough along the Allied Staircase, out of Alibad village, the lead element came under accurate and sustained enemy small arms fire from Darbart village, Laneyal village, Donga village, and Honcho Hill. Specialist Donevski moved to what little cover he could find on the Staircase and called out the enemy’s position in Darbart to the other members of the Platoon within ear shot. Without regard for his own personal safety, he moved from his covered position and began accurately engaging the enemy with 40-mm. grenades from his M-203, as well as rifle fire from his M-4 carbine to allow the members of his Platoon who were exposed to heavy machine gun fire to move to relative cover in Alibad village. He was forced to displace his position when it was struck with withering fire from enemy positions in Darbart and Laneyal villages. Specialist Donevski moved to the nearest covered and concealed position at the head of the Alibad Staircase and continued to engage the enemy. His Team Leader inquired about the Platoon’s Weapons Squad Leader and realizing he was still trapped on the Staircase, Specialist Donevski again moved from cover and began to suppress the enemy’s positions in Darbart and Laneyal with 40-mm. grenades. The enemy shifted their fires from the Weapons Squad Leader to Specialist Donevski’s position, allowing the Soldier to bound from his exposed position to cover in Alibad village. At that time, the Platoon’s Radio Operator was hit in the left knee by enemy small arms fire and a net call was put out that the platoon had a casualty. The enemy fire increased, targeting the wounded Soldier and once again, with no regard for his own personal safety, Specialist Donevski moved from cover to suppress the enemy and draw their fire away from exposed friendly forces. Once the casualty was safely behind cover and being treated, Specialist Donevski’s Squad began to maneuver back to the main body of the joint patrol located near the center of Alibad village. As he broke from cover to move with his Fire Team, Specialist Donevski was struck multiple times by enemy machine gun fire, fatally wounding him. Specialist Donevski repeatedly and with no regard for his own personal safety, exposed himself to the enemy to draw their fire away from beleaguered members of his Platoon. Specialist Donevski’s personal courage, valorous actions, and selfless sacrifice, single-handedly saved the lives of two of his “Lethal Warrior” brothers.