The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Technical Sergeant Barry T. Bergschneider, United States Air Force, for meritorious achievement as the Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge for the Human Intelligence Support Element and member of the Forensic Exploitation Team while engaged in ground operations against an opposing armed force in Afghanistan from 20 November 2001 to 18 February 2002. As the Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge and one of the first Human Intelligence Support Element members on the ground in Afghanistan he reconnoitered and established the first operating location for the Human Intelligence Support Element in the war zone. In conjunction with three Operational Detachments Alpha, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), he cleared and exploited no fewer than seventy Al-Qaeda caves, bunkers, fighting positions and fixed structures in the dangerous and hostile mountains of the Tora Bora region of Afghanistan. Prior to Taliban being fully rooted from Kabul, Sergeant Bergschneider helped to plan and conduct missions into Al-Qaeda Safe Houses as well as enemy positions in and around Kabul and Bagram countryside and was the only member of the Human Intelligence Support Element to conduct missions from Tora Bora to Kabul. Sergeant Bergschneider’s support in theater was invaluable to the future success in the war against terrorism. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bergschneider in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Technical SergeantAction Date:
April 23 – June 6, 2004
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Technical Sergeant Barry T. Bergschneider, United States Air Force, for heroism as the Plans and Operations Officer for Contingency Operating Base West, while engaged in ground combat against an enemy of the United States in Iraq from 10 April 2003 to 6 June 2003. During this period, Sergeant Bergschneider worked, at great personal risk, with United States Special Forces to gather sensitive battlefield intelligence. For example, on 19 April 2004 at the Ad Dulaym Ammunition Supply Depot, he aided in calling in air strikes on enemy positions. Without regard to his own safety, he led the engagement capturing all but one of the antagonists. He later discovered enemy forces surreptitiously removing more munitions and aided in the engagement and capture of enemy and munitions to include over 25 rocket propelled grenades, 30 anti-personnel and tank mines, several 20 millimeter rockets and cases of 20 millimeter rounds destined for enemy reinforcements. Soon after, he discovered a sensitive hazardous area. Unhesitatingly, Sergeant Bergschneider surveyed the area for further exploitation. His efforts led to quick exploitation, which gain policy maker attention. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty, Sergeant Bergschneider has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Staff SergeantAction Date:
May 2, 1999
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Barry T. Bergschneider, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a MH-53M aerial gunner near Belgrade, Serbia, on 2 May 1999. On that date, as flight lead tail gunner in a three-ship special operations combat rescue helicopter formation, Sergeant Bergschneider and his aircrew penetrated deep into hostile airspace at night, over treacherous terrain at extreme low level without the protection of rescue escort A-10s. Twice during the mission his flight came under direct enemy attack of surface-to-air missiles and was repeatedly subject to enemy anti-aircraft artillery and small arms barrages. During a SA-9 attack, Sergeant Bergschneider quickly called for his crew to dispense flares and directed his aircraft away from the immediate threat. Throughout the entire rescue he manned his 50-caliber machine gun and repeatedly vectored his pilots away from the probing enemy spotlights. Upon locating the survivor, Sergeant Bergschneider and his aircrew improvised the close air support cover for the chalk three helicopter that was conducting the aerial pickup. Repeatedly throughout the rescue, his calm demeanor and timely actions proved key in helping his pilots maneuver to evade enemy threats. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bergschneider reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Forced.