John Setzer

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John Setzer, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 25 April 2003, in Afghanistan. Sergeant First Class Setzer was part of a quick reaction force trying to help American soldiers under attack along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. He was injured during a clash with insurgents. During the attack he was hit with shrapnel in his neck. Despite his condition, he evacuated a wounded airman to safety. When he returned to rescue more men, he was hit with machine gunfire which broke his jaw and shattered his teeth.