Dirk Dale Ringgenberg

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Dirk Dale Ringgenberg, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action on 21 June 2005, against an armed enemy in the Mieneshin District of Afghanistan, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Captain Ringgenberg distinguished himself as the Company Commander, Chosen Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, while engaging anti- coalition forces near Chalbar Village. When one of his platoons first received contact, he repositioned his command element directly in the middle of the firefight in order to better control his kinetic effects. Under constant direct fire throughout the rest of the engagement, Captain Ringgenberg distinguished himself throughout the seven-hour battle by attacking the enemy and refusing to allow them to break contact, in spite of friendly casualties and an enemy that significantly outnumbered his forces. His adept decision-making and tactical flexibility under heavy rocket-propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire resulted in 76 enemies dead and only six friendly wounded, destroying the Taliban leadership that had terrorized the local populace for months. His leadership was the decisive point to his company’s overwhelming success that day. Captain Ringgenberg’s heroic actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Combined Forces Command- Afghanistan, and the United States Army.