The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to 1LT Raub Nash, United States Army, for valorous achievement during the reinforcement of troops in contact in Mosul, Iraq. First Lieutenant Nash’s personal courage and leadership under fire saved the lives of numerous Iraqi Commandos and led to the destruction of a determined enemy. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, Multi-National Force Northwest, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
In late November, while acting as battalion QRF, 1LT Nash’s platoon, 1/A/1-24, was called to the 4 West Police Station to provide assistance to the Iraqi commandos who were responding to a complex attack on the station. When LT Nash’s platoon arrived, over 90 commandos were pinned down by enemy fire with at least 10 KIA and 17 WIA. As the platoon approached the station, LT Nash’s vehicle’s .50 cal malfunctioned so he split the platoon into sections and ordered the bravo section to focus solely on the enemy threat that was present at the time while he maneuvered the alpha section to secure and treat the commando casualties. LT Nash quickly assessed the situation with the friendly forces on the ground and made the decision to maneuver between the enemy fire and the badly injured commandos. Once he was certain that he was in a suitable position, LT Nash immediately dismounted and started moving his personnel to focus on treating and moving casualties, and clearing out the destroyed commando vehicles that were hampering the evacuation effort. While under heavy small arms and RPG fire, LT Nash led his soldiers’ efforts to secure the wounded and have them transported to the local hospital for treatment. While the bravo section continued to engage the enemy and position their vehicles to help with securing the commandos and preventing any further injury during the fire fight, LT Nash coordinated a quick recovery of the injured personnel and the damaged vehicles. In all, the fire fight lasted for over an hour, and with the enemy fighting from concrete buildings which provided good cover from small arms, LT Nash also had to actively maneuver the bravo section to better engage and destroy the enemy. As the bravo section reached the western end of the enemy positions, the last building was assessed as the focus of the ambush and was especially difficult to reduce. The bravo section, being ahead of LT Nash’s position, suggested using the OH-58s in support to assist. LT Nash then called for a Hellfire missile to be fired into the building completing the destruction of the enemy. Once the enemy was destroyed, LT Nash had the bravo section set up a defensive position while the rest of the platoon cleared the buildings the enemy was fighting from as well as help evacuate the wounded Iraqis to the hospital. As the LT Nash’s platoon defended the police station over the next several hours, he continued to refine the defensive posture and continued to secure his personnel. His tactical skill, superb marksmanship, and aggressive leadership resulted in no casualties within the platoon, the complete destruction of the enemy, and numerous Iraqi commando lives saved.