Christopher Choay

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Christopher Choay, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, 2rd Battalion (Airborne) 503rd Infantry, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 3 May 2005, in Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Choay displayed undaunted gallantry and valor without regard for his own safety under heavy enemy machine gun and RPG fire for over four hours near Bulac Kalay, Afghanistan in the Arghandab Valley. While elements of his battalion were engaged with enemy forces, additional enemy forces were found to be centered along a stone wall and bunker. Apache helicopters circled overhead, but were largely thwarted from attacking many positions by the tree cover the orchard provided. Staff Sergeant Choay’s squad was ordered to take the position, and was able to approach the wall from a flanking position because of the efforts of other friendly elements who were largely holding the enemy’s attention. He found three enemy combatants on machine guns and another with an RPG launcher. He killed three and wounded another, who was then shot by another soldier. Approaching the bunker, Staff Sergeant Choay exchanged shots with one enemy, then threw a grenade into the bunker. Five enemy bodies were later found inside.