Silver Stars reveal secret valor among commandos
Awards are being reviewed for possible upgrades
WASHINGTON The Silver Stars awarded to Army special operators since the Sept. 11 terror attacks offer a rare glimpse of soldiers on secret missions risking their lives again and again to rescue comrades in battles against militants in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Until now, their heroism has been known only to a small circle. The awards, because of the sensitive, secretive nature of the missions, were bestowed without public notice. The Army released to USA TODAY 12 of 41 narratives associated with the Silver Stars, the thirdhighest medal granted for heroism.
U.S. Special Operations Command declined to divulge the remainder “to protect military plans, weapons systems or operations.” The Army blacked out the names of the soldiers, citing concerns that such information could endanger their lives.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 1,000 medals for the highest valor, including Silver Stars and service crosses, have been awarded to troops, mostly for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Navy SEALs and Army special operators, including members of the ultra-elite counterterror Delta Force, have been the recipients of nearly 1 in 5 of those awards. All of the awards are being reviewed, under a Pentagon edict last year, to determine whether they should be upgraded.
“Over the course of their entire history, Army Special Operations Forces have created a legacy of exceptional commitment and valor,” said Lt. Col. Robert Bockholt, a spokesman for the Army’s Special Operations Command. “The past 15 years of war since the events of 9/11 are no exception.”
The awards appear to have been made to soldiers from a variety of units, said Dwight Mears, a former West Point history professor who has studied military medals. Although the narratives black out most identifying information, the nature of the fighting indicates that helicopter pilots from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the 75th Ranger Regiment and likely Delta Force were involved, Mears said. All but three of the awards went to soldiers for heroism in Afghanistan. medical personnel until more troops arrived. “His efforts directly supported containing the enemy to the edge of the airfield, and saved the lives of (1,400) personnel,” the narrative says. militants. At that point, a “hailstorm of enemy fire” poured from the compound as he stood in the open protecting other soldiers seeking cover. He was struck in the right arm by machine gun fire but continued to fight until medics forced him to accept treatment.