James Witkowski

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to James Witkowski, Sergeant, U.S. Army (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 1173d Transportation Company, during a combat logistics convoy battle in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, near Ashraf, Iraq, on 26 October 2005. Sergeant Witkowski’s convoy was ambushed and came under fierce, sustained attack; first from small- arms fire and roadside bombs, then by more small-arms fire, onrushing insurgents throwing hand grenades and by rocket-propelled grenades throughout a mile-long kill zone. Sergeant Witkowski manned a .50-caliber machine gun on his armored truck and held the attackers at bay with sustained suppressive fire. An enemy grenade landed in his gun turret. Had he jumped aside, the grenade explosion would have killed three fellow soldiers. Witkowski stayed at his post, continued firing, and took the full blast of the grenade.