Gerrit Kobes

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Gerrit Kobes, Specialist, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment, 160th Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, in Fallujah, Iraq, on 2 November 2004. Specialist Kobes was a Medical Aidman serving with Company B on an escort mission to ferry Iraqi soldiers to Fallujah for an upcoming operation when their convoy was attacked by insurgents firing rocket propelled grenades and small arms. A truck was quickly disabled, causing five Iraqi soldiers serious wounds. With the convoy blocked and enemy fire coming from several locations, Specialist Kobes disregarding his personal safety, moved through the convoy on foot and reached the wounded men. Under covering fire from Marines trying to secure the site, Specialist Kobes began medical treatments. By the time the convoy began moving again, he had stabilized the wounded, permitting their evacuation for further medical care. One Iraqi soldier died of his wounds, but four others were saved by the dedicated actions of Specialist Kobes.