Matthew Wade Worrell

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Matthew Wade Worrell, Major, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an AH-6 pilot with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) on 14 May 2006, while operating against an entrenched enemy force during a daylight raid in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Major Worrell continued to make successive assaults in support of the ground forces, without regard for his own personal safety, until his aircraft was shot down. His actions destroyed several enemy positions, enabling the ground forces to consolidate into defensive positions. Without Major Worrell’s courage and gallantry under hostile fire, the ground forces would have sustained significant casualties. He directly contributed to the successful execution of this direct action mission. Major Worrell’s distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, this command, and the United States Army.