Brian M. Sheetz

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Brian M. Sheetz, Specialist, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 103d Armored Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, near Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq, on 27 February 2006. On that date, Specialist Sheets was a loader aboard an Abrams tank patrolling Main Supply Route MICHIGAN, nicknamed “IED Alley”. During an ambush, an enemy grenade landed inside his tank. Specialist Sheetz grabbed it and threw it out of the hatch just as it detonated, sending shrapnel into his face and hand. His valorous action was instrumental in saving the lives of three fellow crew members.