Kenneth R. Franco

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Kenneth R. Franco, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Section Leader with E Troop, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 22 March 2003, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Franco’s HMMWV was leading the convoy when his element came under attack by dozens of enemy fighters at a road block near An Najaf. Despite heavy enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Franco assessed the situation and made tactical decisions that benefited the entire troop. After leading his comrades through more than 48-hours of bitter fighting, his calm and decisive leadership resulted in more than 300 enemy killed.