David Miles

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to David Miles, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Operational Detachment Alpha 583 (ODA- 583) 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Iraq, on 7 April 2003. During the invasion of Baghdad, Master Sergeant Miles and his team were ambushed by enemy fighters at a bridge overpass in southern Baghdad. Outnumbered 20-to-1, three members of Master Sergeant Miles’ group got pinned down under the intense firefight and were unable to escape. Master Sergeant Miles organized the recovery mission as the enemies continued to attack. He performed first aid on two of his team members, one of whom would have bled to death without treatment. He was able to carry both of them to safety. In all, Master Sergeant Miles killed or directed the killing of up to 20 Saddam loyalists.