Edward J. Lengel

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Edward J. Lengel, Captain, U.S. Air Force, conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 66th Rescue Squadron, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 3 March 2002 in Afghanistan. Shortly after dark on that date, Captain Lengel took off in his rescue helicopter to support Special Operations in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan. With one helicopter following his lead, Captain Lengel attempted to rescue American soldiers who were seriously wounded following heavy contact with al Qaida fighters hiding in a cave complex. With his helicopter weighted down with weapons, fuel and soldiers in parachutes, a landing seemed hopeless. Captain Lengel made the decision to dump 1,000 pounds of fuel to lighten the load. After landing, the mission remained dangerous amid constant machine gun and mortar fire. Captain Lengel remained on the ground under fire while rescuers ran 50 feet to recover and load four wounded soldiers. After lifting off, Captain Lengel provided cover fire for the second helicopter to recover additional wounded, and then followed a dry stream bed until he could gain enough speed to lift away from the rocks. Without his impeccable judgment, cool demeanor, and unmatched flying skills, this mission would certainly have ended in disaster.

Special Order No. 0063