Somalia

BRAY, JEFFREY
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Jeffrey Bray, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Mogadishu, Somalia, from 3 October 1993 to 4 October 1993. On these dates, Staff Sergeant Bray, a 24th Special Tactics Squadron Combat Controller, was attached to a joint service search and rescue security team tasked to respond to the crash of a United States UH-60 helicopter. While serving with a U.S. Army Ranger element trapped and surrounded inside a building in the city, Staff Sergeant Bray coordinated helicopter gunship fire on targets all around his position throughout the night. He developed tactics and techniques on the spot that allowed him to mark friendly forces' locations so that helicopter gunships could destroy close enemy concentrations. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Bray has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

*BUSCH, DANIEL (KIA)
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Daniel Busch, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving with the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta, Task Force RANGER, Special Operations Command, during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 and 4 October 1993. On that date while gallantly defending the crew of a downed MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter against a numerically superior enemy force, Staff Sergeant Busch was mortally wounded. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces, and reflect great credit upon himself, the Special Operations Command, and the United States Army.

*CLEVELAND, WILLIAM DAVID, JR. (KIA)
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to William David Cleveland, Jr., Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving as a Crew Chief on board "Super 64," an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Company D, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 October 1993. Staff Sergeant Cleveland's helicopter was hit by a Rocket Propelled Grenade while providing protective fires for a downed helicopter from his unit and crashed into the street where the downed air crew was surrounded by a numerically superior enemy force. Staff Sergeant Cleveland was mortally wounded while gallantly defending his aircraft, fellow crew members, and ground force members of Task Force RANGER in the vicinity of the crash site. His courage and determination in the face of grave danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army .
Home Town: Peoria, Arizona

DITOMASSO, TOM
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Tom DiTomasso, Captain, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while Company B, 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 and 4 October 1993. Following the crash of two Black Hawk helicopters in the streets of Mogadishu, Captain DiTomasso led a ranger element in a rescue effort of the embattled and surrounded survivors at one of the crash sites. His gallant leadership and heroic actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Home Town: Rhode Island

DOODY, GARY
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Gary Doody, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving with Company C, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 and 4 October 1993. Following the crash of two Black Hawk helicopters in the streets of Mogadishu, First Sergeant Doody was part of a Quick Reaction Force in efforts to reinforce embattled Special Forces and Ranger elements in support of a rescue effort. When one of his soldiers was wounded in the open, First Sergeant Doody raced across the fire-swept area to reach the wounded man and help him to safety. His gallant action saved the life of a comrade and was in keeping with the finest traditions of the military forces of the United States, reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Born: at Kentwood, Michigan
Home Town: Kentwood, Michigan

FALES, SCOTT C.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Scott C. Fales, Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Mogadishu, Somalia, from 3 October 1993 to 4 October 1993. On these dates, Sergeant Fales, a 24th Special Tactics Squadron Pararescueman, was attached to a joint service search and rescue security team tasked to respond to the crash of a United States UH-60 helicopter. While conducting an initial assessment at the crash site, Sergeant Fales was seriously wounded in an intense fire fight involving small arms and rocket propelled grenades. Disregarding the trauma of his own wound, he continued to provide medical care to his team and provide devastating covering fire against repeated enemy attacks. Sergeant Fales' technical expertise, personal courage and total disregard for his own personal safety were paramount to the ultimate success of the search and rescue security team mission. His decisive actions in providing expert trauma care to wounded members of his team despite his own wounded condition were paramount in limiting the number of American casualties and in bringing the extraction operation to conclusion as expeditiously as possible. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Fales has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

*FIELD, THOMAS (KIA)
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Thomas Field, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving as a Crew Chief on board "Super 64," an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Company D, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 October 1993. Staff Sergeant Field's helicopter was hit by a Rocket Propelled Grenade while providing protective fires for a downed helicopter from his unit and crashed into the street where the downed air crew was surrounded by a numerically superior enemy force. Staff Sergeant Field was mortally wounded while gallantly defending his aircraft, fellow crew members, and ground force members of Task Force RANGER in the vicinity of the crash site. His courage and determination in the face of grave danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army .

*FILLMORE, EARL ROBERT, JR. (KIA)
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Earl Robert Fillmore, Jr., Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving with the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta, Task Force RANGER, Special Operations Command, during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 and 4 October 1993. On that date, Sergeant First Class Fillmore was responsible for point security as his force fought their way through the streets of Mogadishu to reach the crash site of a downed MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. From this position, Sergeant First Class Fillmore was fatally wounded as the first to defend his force. As a direct result of his superior marksmanship and demonstrated bravery, many members of the assault force were spared injury or possible death. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces, and reflect great credit upon himself, the Special Operations Command, and the United States Army.
Born: June 16, 1965 at Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Home Town: Derry, Pennsylvania

*FRANK, RAYMOND ALEX (KIA)
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Raymond Alex Frank, Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving as Co-Pilot of "Super 64," an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Company D, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 October 1993. Chief Warrant Officer Frank's helicopter was hit by a Rocket Propelled Grenade while providing protective fires for a downed helicopter from his unit. Realizing that the tail rotor had separated, he autorotated to a safe landing in the city. Surviving the crash with tremendous injury to his back he egressed from the helicopter and assumed a fighting position in the urban downtown sprawl of Mogadishu. Chief Warrant Officer Frank was mortally wounded while gallantly defending his aircraft, fellow crew members, and ground force members of Task Force RANGER in the vicinity of the crash site. His courage and determination in the face of grave danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army .
Born: May 11, 1948 at Los Angeles, California

GAY, JOHN G.
Synopsis:
Chief Signalman John G. Gay, United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a member of a U.S. Navy SEAL Team, U.S. Naval Special Warfare, assigned to Task Force RANGER, during combat actions in Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993. While under withering enemy fire during actions in support of UNOSOM II operations, Chief Signalman Gay demonstrated a complete disregard for his own personal safety in the accomplishment of his mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of U.S. Naval Special Warfare operations and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Clayton, North Carolina

GOFFENA, MIKE
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Mike Goffena, Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving as Pilot of "Super 62," an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Company D, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 October 1993. Following the crash of two Black Hawk helicopters in the streets of Mogadishu, the crash sites were surrounded by a numerically superior hostile force that threatened to overrun the embattled survivors of the two downed aircraft. Despite intense fire directed at his own helicopter, Chief Warrant Officer Goffena and his Co-Pilot Captain James Yacone flew covering orbits over both crash sites and the target area and, despite damage inflicted on their own aircraft, skillfully brought their crippled helicopter back to base. The gallant actions and superb skill demonstrated by Chief Warrant Officer Goffena on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

HARP, JERRY
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Jerry Harp, Chief Warrant Officer Two (CWO-3), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces on 3 and 4 October 1993, while serving as a Joint Special Operations, Task Force RANGER, Pilot of an Attack Helicopter with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia. Chief Warrant Officer Three Harp flew seventeen and one-half hours providing close air support fires for a pinned down friendly ground element. He weathered intense enemy fires, often firing within fifteen meters of friendly troops to halt a determined enemy from overrunning their positions. Chief Warrant Officer Three Harp's extraordinary valor and courage reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

HARRISON, JOHN C. "CHUCK"
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John C. "Chuck" Harrison, Captain, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces on 3 and 4 October 1993, while serving as a Joint Special Operations, Task Force RANGER, Team Lead and Pilot of an Attack Helicopter with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia. Captain Harrison flew seventeen and one-half hours providing close air support fires for a pinned down friendly ground element. He weathered intense enemy fires, often firing within fifteen meters of friendly troops to halt a determined enemy from overrunning their positions. Captain Harrison's extraordinary valor and courage reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

JONES, KEITH
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Keith Jones, Chief Warrant Officer Four, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving as Co- Pilot of "Star 41," an MH-6 Assault Helicopter of Company D, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 October 1993. Following the crash of an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in the streets of Mogadishu, Chief Warrant Officer Four Jones and Chief Warrant Officer Three Karl Maier flew in "Star 41" to the site of the crash. As the first to arrive at the scene, and taken under heavy fire by a numerically superior hostile force that threatened to overrun the crew of the downed Black Hawk helicopter, Chief Warrant Officer Three Maier engaged the attacking forces with his personal weapon while Chief Warrant Officer Four Jones landed and extracted two wounded crewmembers of the downed aircraft, and then skillfully piloted the aircraft back to a field hospital where they were treated for their wounds. The gallant actions and determination of Chief Warrant Officer Four Jones throughout this action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Home Town: Derry, Pennsylvania

JONES, RANDOLPH W.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Randolph W. Jones, Chief Warrant Officer Five (CWO-5), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces on 3 and 4 October 1993, while serving as a Joint Special Operations, Task Force RANGER, Pilot of an Attack Helicopter with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia. Chief Warrant Officer Five Jones flew seventeen and one-half hours providing close air support fires for a pinned down friendly ground element. He weathered intense enemy fires, often firing within fifteen meters of friendly troops to halt a determined enemy from overrunning their positions. Chief Warrant Officer Jones' extraordinary valor and courage reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

KAISER, RICHARD A.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate Richard A. Kaiser, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a member of a U.S. Navy SEAL Team, U.S. Naval Special Warfare, assigned to Task Force RANGER, during combat actions in Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993. While under withering enemy fire during actions in support of UNOSOM II operations, Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate Kaiser demonstrated a complete disregard for his own personal safety in the accomplishment of his mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of U.S. Naval Special Warfare operations and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Oak Creek, Wisconsin

KULSRUD, LARRY
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Larry Kulsrud, Chief Warrant Officer Three (CWO-3), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces on 3 and 4 October 1993, while serving as a Joint Special Operations, Task Force RANGER, Pilot of an Attack Helicopter with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia. Chief Warrant Officer Five Jones flew seventeen and one-half hours providing close air support fires for a pinned down friendly ground element. He weathered intense enemy fires, often firing within fifteen meters of friendly troops to halt a determined enemy from overrunning their positions. Chief Warrant Officer Jones' extraordinary valor and courage reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

LAMB, AL
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Al Lamb, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving with the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta, Task Force RANGER, Special Operations Command, during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 and 4 October 1993. Following the crash of a Black Hawk helicopter in the streets of Mogadishu, Sergeant First Class Lamb ignored the deadly fire of the numerically superior enemy force that surrounded and threatened to overrun the embattled survivors of the crash, to rope down into the tenuous defensive perimeter in efforts to rescue the American survivors. His gallant actions in the face of deadly enemy fire was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

MAIER, KARL
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Karl Maier, Chief Warrant Officer Three, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving as Co- Pilot of "Star 41," an MH-6 Assault Helicopter of Company D, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 October 1993. Following the crash of an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in the streets of Mogadishu, Chief Warrant Officer Three Maier and Chief Warrant Officer Four Keith Jones flew in "Star 41" to the site of the crash. As the first to arrive at the scene, and taken under heavy fire by a numerically superior hostile force that threatened to overrun the crew of the downed Black Hawk helicopter, Chief Warrant Officer Three Maier engaged the attacking forces with his personal weapon while Chief Warrant Officer Four Jones landed and extracted two wounded crewmembers of the downed aircraft, and then skillfully piloted the aircraft back to a field hospital where they were treated for their wounds. The gallant actions and determination of Chief Warrant Officer Three Maier throughout this action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

*MARTIN, TIMOTHY LYNN (KIA)
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Timothy Lynn Martin, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving with the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta, Task Force RANGER, Special Operations Command, during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 and 4 October 1993. Sergeant First Class Martin was mortally wounded as part of a convoy that became lost and was taken under fire. His gallantry in action was in keeping with the finest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

MEYEROWICH, DREW
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Drew Meyerowich, Captain, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while Commanding Company A, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 and 4 October 1993. Following the crash of two Black Hawk helicopters in the streets of Mogadishu, Captain Meyerowich led his company as part of a Quick Reaction Force in efforts to reinforce embattled Special Forces and Ranger elements in support of a rescue effort. His gallant leadership was in keeping with the finest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Home Town: Jupiter, Florida

NEARPASS, HOMER L.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Quartermaster First Class Homer L. Nearpass, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a member of a U.S. Navy SEAL Team, U.S. Naval Special Warfare, assigned to Task Force RANGER, during combat actions in Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993. While under withering enemy fire during actions in support of UNOSOM II operations, Quartermaster First Class Nearpass demonstrated a complete disregard for his own personal safety in the accomplishment of his mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of U.S. Naval Special Warfare operations and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Reno, Nevada

OLSON, ERIC THOR
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Eric Thor Olson, Captain, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a member of a U.S. Navy SEAL Team, U.S. Naval Special Warfare, assigned to Task Force RANGER, during combat actions in Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993. While under withering enemy fire during actions in support of UNOSOM II operations, Captain Olson demonstrated a complete disregard for his own personal safety in the accomplishment of his mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of U.S. Naval Special Warfare operations and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Born: at Tacoma, Washington
Home Town: Tacoma, Washington
Personal Awards: Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star (Somalia), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star w/V, Purple Heart

PAMER, EUGENE
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Eugene Pamer, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving with Company C, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 and 4 October 1993. Following the crash of two Black Hawk helicopters in the streets of Mogadishu, Private First Class Pamer was part of a Quick Reaction Force in efforts to reinforce embattled Special Forces and Ranger elements in support of a rescue effort. Though struck in the back and severely wounded by enemy fire, Private First Class Pamer picked up his weapon and continued to fire on the enemy forces. His gallant actions and disregard for his own safety in the defense of his comrades was in keeping with the finest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

*RIERSON, MATTHEW LOREN (KIA)
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Matthew Loren Rierson, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving with the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta, Task Force RANGER, Special Operations Command, during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 and 4 October 1993. On that date following the crash of an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, Sergeant First Class Rierson led the first assault team that landed in Mogadishu, and supervised the capture of several prisoners. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces, and reflect great credit upon himself, the Special Operations Command, and the United States Army.
Born: September 29, 1960 at Nevada, Iowa
Home Town: Nevada, Iowa

RINDERER, TONY
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Tony Rinderer, Chief Warrant Officer Two (CWO-2), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces on 3 and 4 October 1993, while serving as a Joint Special Operations, Task Force RANGER, Pilot of an Attack Helicopter with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia. Chief Warrant Officer Two Rinderer flew seventeen and one-half hours providing close air support fires for a pinned down friendly ground element. He weathered intense enemy fires, often firing within fifteen meters of friendly troops to halt a determined enemy from overrunning their positions. Chief Warrant Officer Rinderer's extraordinary valor and courage reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

SHRADER, DALE
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Dale Shrader, Chief Warrant Officer Three (CWO-3), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving Pilot of a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter in the 101st Airborne Division. At 0200 on 25 September 1993, during a night reconnaissance mission over Mogadishu, Chief Warrant Officer Three Shrader's helicopter was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. The explosion ignited the fuel and brought down the aircraft. As the helicopter fell from the sky in flames, Chief Warrant Officer Three Shrader tried to steer it toward friendly forces occupying the seaport. Instead, the helicopter hit the top of a building and then fell to the ground and skidded over a hundred yards before it came to rest against an embankment. Private First Class Matthew K. Anderson, Sergeant Ferdinan C. Richardson, and Sergeant Eugene Williams were killed in the fiery crash. Chief Warrant Officer Three Shrader and Chief Warrant Officer Perry Alliman the Co-Pilot, survived the crash. Chief Warrant Officer Three Shrader's arm was broken and his Co-Pilot was badly burned and blinded. Somali militiamen rushed to the scene and opened fire on the two Americans with AK-47s and hand grenades. Chief Warrant Officer Three Shrader fought them off and killed at least one attacker. In the midst of the firefight a friendly Somali approached the two Americans waving a flashlight and yelling "American boys!" They had no choice but to trust him. He led them to a nearby United Arab Emirates unit that was securing the seaport, and thereby saved their lives. The gallant actions of Chief Warrant Officer Three Shrader in this action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States. Army.
Home Town: Narrows, Virginia

SMITH, CHRIS
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Chris Smith, Chief Warrant Officer Three (CWO-3), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces on 3 and 4 October 1993, while serving as a Joint Special Operations, Task Force RANGER, Pilot of an Attack Helicopter with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia. Chief Warrant Officer Three Smith flew seventeen and one-half hours providing close air support fires for a pinned down friendly ground element. He weathered intense enemy fires, often firing within fifteen meters of friendly troops to halt a determined enemy from overrunning their positions. Chief Warrant Officer Three Smith's extraordinary valor and courage reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

STEBBINS, JOHN
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John Stebbins, Specialist, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while Company B, 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 and 4 October 1993. Serving as a Company Clerk, Specialist Stebbins was part of the rescue operations following the crash of two Black Hawk helicopters in the streets of Mogadishu. His actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
New York

WADE, HAL
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Hal Wade, Chief Warrant Officer Three (CWO-3), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces on 3 and 4 October 1993, while serving as a Joint Special Operations, Task Force RANGER, Pilot of an Attack Helicopter with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia. Chief Warrant Officer Three Wade flew seventeen and one-half hours providing close air support fires for a pinned down friendly ground element. He weathered intense enemy fires, often firing within fifteen meters of friendly troops to halt a determined enemy from overrunning their positions. Chief Warrant Officer Wade's extraordinary valor and courage reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

WASDIN, HOWARD E.
Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hull Technician First Class Howard E. Wasdin, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force during Operation UNOSOM II in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 and 4 October 1993. Petty Officer Wasdin was a member of a security team in support of an assault force that conducted an air assault raid into an enemy compound and successfully apprehended two key militia officials and twenty-two others. Upon receiving enemy small arms fire from numerous alleys, Petty Officer Wasdin took up a firing position and returned fire. As he assaulted down the alley with members of his unit, he was wounded in the calf. Upon receiving combat field condition medical attention, he resumed his duties and continued to suppress enemy fire. As his convoy exfiltrated the area with the detainees, his element came under withering enemy fire. Petty Officer Wasdin, along with the security team, stopped to suppress enemy fire which had pinned down the Ranger Blocking Force. Although twice wounded, he continued to pull security and engage a superior enemy force from his vehicle. Later, while attempting to suppress enemy fire during an attempted link up for an evacuation of a helicopter crash site, Petty Officer Wasdin was wounded a third time. His gallant efforts and refusal to quit despite being wounded on three occasions inspired his team members as well as the entire force. By his superb initiative, courageous actions, and complete dedication to duty, Petty Officer Wasdin reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Jesup, Georgia

WHETSTONE, MICHAEL L.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Michael L. Whetstone, Captain, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces on 3 and 4 October 1993, while serving Company Commander, Company C, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, as part of the United Nations Quick Reaction Force, in Mogadishu, Somalia. Captain Whetstone's calm leadership and keen intuition under intense enemy small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire led directly to his company's superb performance as part of the battalion's rescue operation to extract trapped Ranger and Special Operations soldiers from two helicopter sites. Captain Whetstone's level headed decisions and command influence under the most adverse of combat conditions reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.

WHITE, PAUL
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Paul White, Chief Warrant Officer Two (CWO-2), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces on 3 and 4 October 1993, while serving as a Joint Special Operations, Task Force RANGER, Pilot of an Attack Helicopter with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia. Chief Warrant Officer Two White flew seventeen and one-half hours providing close air support fires for a pinned down friendly ground element. He weathered intense enemy fires, often firing within fifteen meters of friendly troops to halt a determined enemy from overrunning their positions. Chief Warrant Officer White's extraordinary valor and courage reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

YACONE, JAMES
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to James Yacone, Captain, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces while serving as Co- Pilot of "Super 62," an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Company D, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 October 1993. Following the crash of two Black Hawk helicopters in the streets of Mogadishu, the crash sites were surrounded by a numerically superior hostile force that threatened to overrun the embattled survivors of the two downed aircraft. Despite intense fire directed at his own helicopter, Captain Yacone and his Pilot Chief Warrant Officer Karl Maier flew covering orbits over both crash sites and the target area and, despite damage inflicted on their own aircraft, skillfully brought their crippled helicopter back to base. The gallant actions and superb skill demonstrated by Captain Yacone on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.