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 Senior Airman Trevor M. Bradford, United States Air Force, for heroism as a Tactical Air Command and Control Specialist while engaged in ground combat against an enemy of the United States near Abu Sakhayr, Iraq, on 26 March 2003. During this period, while assigned to the 15th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, supporting 3d Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division Mechanized, his unit came under heavy enemy gun and grenade crossfire. Driving the only soft-skinned vehicle, Airman Bradford quickly dismounted and coordinated close air support. Despite enduring a blaze of concentrated enemy fire at his vehicle and with total disregard for his own safety, he identified and helped direct critical bombing and strafing runs against the attacking enemy forces less than 600 meters from his position. As his convoy proceeded through the night, it was frequently ambushed making any chance of rest impossible. After seizing the bridge at Abu Sakhayr, Airman Bradford drove through a gauntlet of heavy small arms fire and rocket propelled grenade attacks launched less than 15 feet of his vehicle. Despite enemy fire ripping through his vehicle, he continued to drive while simultaneously returning automatic fire from his door. In what was to be the decisive battle of the war, despite having no sleep during continuous combat engagements, enemy armored and paramilitary forces surrounded his unit during the largest sandstorm of the century. As the only available fire support and communications link to pockets of cut-off friendly forces, he assisted in coordinating an almost impossible close air support mission at night. Blinded by sand and raining mud with his unit critically low on ammunition, his team delivered 24 Joint Direct Attack Munitions on approaching enemy armored formations, destroying 15 tanks while saving countless lives. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty, Airman Bradford has reflected 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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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Senior AirmanBatallion:
15th Expeditionary Air Support Operations SquadronAction Date:
March 20 – 25, 2003
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 Senior Airman Trevor M. Bradford, United States Air Force, for heroism as a Tactical Air Command and Control Specialist while engaged in ground combat against the enemy at As Samawah, Iraq, from 20 March 2003 to 25 March 2003. During this period, while assigned to the 15th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, supporting 3d Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division Mechanized, his unit was ambushed by Iraqi regulars and armor. He expertly maneuvered his unarmored vehicle through overlapping enemy heavy small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades while laying down suppressive fire with his personal weapon. Repelling the ambush, Airman Bradford and his enlisted terminal attack controller fought enemy forces, firing their personal weapons out of both sides of their vehicle as the repositioned themselves on the next objective. Placing himself in the direct line of enemy fire and with total disregard for his own safety, Airman Bradford precisely directed two A-10s on to the enemy’s position with his infrared pointer. This placed him perilously close to enemy armor and dismounted infantry as well as the effects of the attacking aircraft. While his enlisted terminal attack controller directed air strikes, Airman Bradford took grave personal risk to cover his teammate, all while coordinating for additional air support. Surviving four days with no sleep and constant battle, Airman Bradford responded to another ambush by courageously manning a turret mounted machine gun and returned fire with such deadly accuracy, he repelled several enemy assaults killing over twenty soldiers and destroying nineteen vehicles. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty, Airman Bradford has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Senior AirmanBatallion:
15th Expeditionary Air Support Operations SquadronAction Date:
April 3 – 5, 2003
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Senior Airman Trevor M. Bradford, United States Air Force, for heroism as a Tactical Air Command and Control Specialist, 15th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, supporting 3d Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division Mechanized while engaged in ground combat against an enemy of the United States near Baghdad, Iraq, from 3 April 2003 to 5 April 2003. During this period, his unit was engaged in an intense tank battle as part of the leading coalition element drive to Baghdad. For over 72 hours, Airman Bradley was under almost constant enemy fire, often being engaged from both sides of his vehicle. At one point, a rocket propelled grenade passed mere feet from his head. Airman Bradford immediately identified and engaged enemy strong points with accurate and deadly .50 caliber machine gun fire. As the battle progressed, his convoy was attacked by suicide busses, mortars and the enemy’s main tank force. Under intense direct and indirect fire from T-72 tanks, artillery and small arms, Airman Bradford continued to move forward defiantly positioning himself in the face of enemy fire to destroy the enemy force with close air support. With little break in action, Airman Bradford assisted in planning and executing a combined arms plan to engage a camouflaged tank battalion hidden in a nearby palm grove. As they approached they were ambushed yet again. He continued to calmly coordinate air support as artillery and tank rounds impacted meters from his vehicle. Totally vulnerable to incoming fire, Airman Bradford stood fast in his turret defending against enemy attacks while his team leader directed continuous air strikes, destroying 10 tanks and numerous artillery and armored vehicles, while simultaneously preventing the loss of any cavalry troopers. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty, Airman Bradford has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.