Matthew P. Oraze

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Master Sergeant Matthew P. Oraze, United States Marine Corps. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy on 10 April 2019 as a Team Chief with 2d Marine Raider Battalion in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Conducting a daring heliborne raid into difficult enemy-controlled terrain in southern Afghanistan, Master Sergeant Oraze led his team and a partner nation force through four hours of close combat with more than a dozen Taliban fighters occupying prepared defensive strongholds. Under withering small arms fire, he led an assault across 30 meters of open terrain to attack an enemy bunker, trading point blank gunfire with the occupants and employing hand grenades to eventually eliminate the threat. As the partner force began to clear another structure, the lead Afghan soldier was shot and lay helpless at the entrance. Climbing onto the building, Master Sergeant Oraze employed an explosive roof charge, and after it detonated, he jumped onto the terrace where the Afghan soldier lay. While completely exposed to eight barricaded fighters only a few feet away, he heroically pulled the wounded man to cover in a valiant attempt to save his life. Master Sergeant Oraze’s aggressiveness and indomitable fighting spirit was singularly responsible for the complete destruction of the enemy, including 15 fighters, with only a single friendly casualty. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Master Sergeant Oraze reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.