Shannon Kay

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Shannon Kay, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 11 December 2004, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Kay helped to save the lives of seven members of his squad after they were attacked with rockets and mortars by a suicide bomber at a traffic checkpoint. Staff Sergeant Kay and others used fire extinguishers to save their burning Stryker vehicle and killed at least eight enemy fighters. Though wounded in four places, Staff Sergeant Kay refused medical attention to continue the defense of his vehicle and his comrades.