Matthew Ritenour

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Matthew Ritenour, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving the 2d Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 4 September 2007, in Afghanistan. On that date Staff Sergeant Ritenour and his unit fought against 180 Taliban fighters who attacked Forward Operating Base (FOB) BAYLOUGH, in southern Afghanistan. Although he was shot in the head and partially paralyzed during the battle, Staff Sergeant Ritenour fought on, encouraging nearby soldiers and using a radio to call in mortar fire on the enemy.