Ross C. Pixler

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Ross C. Pixler, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 30 October 2007, in Iraq. While riding through Salman Pak in a convoy of three Humvee’s, Lieutenant Pixler’s vehicles were attacked, instantly killing three soldiers in one vehicle and wounding Lieutenant Pixler. Reduced to two vehicles and dealing with several casualties, and although his men were still under intense fire, Lieutenant Pixler ignored the pain of a broken arm and ankle to dismount and go to the radio in one of his two remaining Bradleys to coordinate close-air support and kept his platoon under control.