Anthony S. Pryor

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Anthony S. Pryor, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) during a combat mission in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, in Afghanistan, on 23 January 2002, during a search mission for suspected terrorists. As Master Sergeant Pryor and his team began moving through the area, enemy fighters began firing upon the group. The team got separated, leaving Pryor and another soldier clearing room by room. The other soldier was distracted by an enemy fighter and stayed outside to return fire. Master Sergeant Pryor continued forward and as an enemy fighter came charging out of a room, he assisted in killing him. He pushed ahead and found himself alone with three insurgents. As he was engaged with the two who had guns, an insurgent crept up behind him and began attacking, breaking a clavicle and dislocating his shoulder. Master Sergeant Pryor wrestled with the assailants, engaging in a hand-to-hand struggle and eventually eliminating him. The two gunmen he had shot revived during the fight, and attempted to kill him, but Master Sergeant Pryor quickly began shooting at them again, this time killing them. He then rejoined the fight outside the building. When the battle ended, 21 enemy fighters had been killed.