Raymond Bittinger

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Raymond Bittinger, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team (Attached to the 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery), 1st Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM at Baqubah, Iraq, on 9 April 2004, as his troops approached the small town of Behriz, Iraq. Military intelligence and a recent attack suggested insurgents were planning actions against U.S. forces in the area. Staff Sergeant Bittinger and his team found themselves in what appeared to be a ghost town: not an Iraqi in sight and no security visible. Suddenly, the men spotted movement in the palm groves; insurgents unleashed a torrent of RPG and small-arms fire. During the battle, as enemies directed their fire toward specific targets, Staff Sergeant Bittinger weaved in and out of the line of fire, protecting his comrades by drawing gunfire to his own vehicle. As they fought, Bittinger’s gunner took a hit, and fell from his seat. Staff Sergeant Bittinger quickly removed his flak jacket, used it to pressure the wound, and then jumped behind the gun and kept firing. In the heat of battle, Staff Sergeant Bittinger knew that if his men stayed where they were, they’d be sitting ducks for the better-positioned insurgents. He had his driver move their Bradley between the enemy fire and the other soldiers, allowing them to move to a better tactical location. Eventually, Staff Sergeant Bittinger and his men subdued the enemies as they left the area. Later that night, 20 to 30 insurgents attacked Coalition forces in the heart of Baqubah. Staff Sergeant Bittinger rounded up a crew of volunteers and headed out to help. En route, his vehicle took out insurgents who were firing RPGs and using small arms. Before arriving at the scene, his vehicle was hit by an IED, but they continued forward. Before he reached Baqubah, Staff Sergeant Bittinger received orders to instead secure a bridge over the Diyala River. So his team took a turn and headed toward the river. On April 9th Staff Sergeant Bittinger and his soldiers killed at least 10 insurgents and wounded several others at Behriz; on their route to Baqubah, they killed five and wounded an additional four. Staff Sergeant Bittinger’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.