Jarret D. Brown

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Jarret D. Brown, United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, in Afghanistan, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division on 24 August 2009. On that date, Staff Sergeant Brown was serving as Assistant M-240 machine gunner during a patrol in the Arghandab River Valley, a hotbed of Taliban resistance at that time. The patrol was ambushed and hit by a combination of fires from machine guns, small arms and rocket propelled grenades. Staff Sergeant Brown exposed himself to enemy fire to direct his machine gunner to cover a fire team caught in the open, while also firing his rifle. He then directed suppressive fire on the enemy’s heaviest weapons. As the platoon consolidated, Staff Sergeant Brown’s gunner collapsed in the 100-degree heat. He grabbed the machine gun and dragged the gunner to a concealed position, from which he delivered accurate support by fire. When it became clear the platoon’s situation was untenable, the platoon sergeant ordered the squads to break contact. Staff Sergeant Brown alternately provided covering fire and moved, dragging his gunner with him. When he saw an enemy fire team creeping to within 30 meters of the platoon, he threw his gunner behind the last concealment available, abandoned his own cover and engaged them, killing one and wounding a second enemy fighter. He then set up the M-2450 and provided suppressive fire as the rest of the platoon covered about 100 meters to better cover and began a faster, bounding egress. He followed them, still carrying his gunner. The platoon came under heavy fire once more before making it back to the Joint District Coordination Center. Staff Sergeant Brown returned fire and identified multiple targets for other platoon members. His response created space for close-coordination aircraft to be called in to neutralize the enemy and allow the platoon to finally return to safety. Staff Sergeant Brown’s first action once the platoon was safe was to find medical assistance for his gunner. Staff Sergeant Brown’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.