Allen Grenz

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Allen Grenz, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as leader of A Team, 2d Squad, 1st Platoon, Company A, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 29 September 2003, in Afghanistan. During an intense battle that lasted 12 hours, Sergeant Grenz killed an enemy who held a detonator in his hands. The detonator was wired to several different mines near the company’s position and Sergeant Grenz continued to maneuver his company and a wounded Soldier away from the enemy into a more defendable position. Realizing the Soldiers were in dire of need of ammunition and a communications device, Sergeant Grenz exposed himself to enemy fire and maneuvered himself to nearby squads to retrieve what was needed. The selfless acts of bravery that Sergeant Grenz portrayed helped save the lives of the entire company.