Christopher P. Niedziocha

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Christopher P. Niedziocha, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Battalion Landing Team ONE SIX Combined Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Twenty-Second Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed with Commander, United States FIFTH Fleet on 8 June 2004. When his convoy came under heavy rocket and small arms fire in an enemy ambush near the village of Sandabuz, Afghanistan, First Lieutenant Niedziocha pushed his vehicles through the kill zone as far forward as possible to confront the enemy’s main ambush site. With his vehicles caught in a crossfire, he led his Marines from the front by engaging enemy positions with devastating heavy machine gun and small arms fire. First Lieutenant Niedziocha aggressively engaged the enemy at a distance of less than 100 meters and negated the enemy’s advantage of standoff and surprise. Seeking to regain the initiative, he led his Marines in a bold flanking maneuver, trapping some enemy forces who were later found and eliminated, causing others to break contact. He then led his Marines in pursuit of the fleeing enemy, neutralizing the remaining enemy forces with direct fire and close air support. By his bold leadership, wise judgment and complete dedication to duty, First Lieutenant Niedziocha reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.