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On 13 JAN 05 at 1415 hrs the Snake 1 element, the sniper team for 3-153 IN, consisting of SGT H******, SPC B

and SPC G****, heard mortar launches from their hide position. They were not in position to observe the enemy. Snake quickly vacated their sniper position and maneuvered down the street until they had a visual on the security element of an enemy mortar position. They repositioned themselves so they could cover 3 of the 4 potential egress routes that the enemy could use. The sniper team only consisted of 3 men. They had a visual on twice that number of AIF. The AIF were armed with numerous weapon systems to include RPGs, PKCs, Grenades, a FN FAL sniper rifle and 72mm heat seaking rocket in addition to the 60mm and 82 mm mortar systems. Our sniper team was no doubt out manned and out gunned. In spite of that the Snake element engaged the enemy with aggressive, well aimed fire, killing two AIF quickly before an RPG was fired and struck half way between SPC G**** and SPC B

. G**** was hit with shrapnel but maintained his position and continued to engage the enemy. B*******was momentarily knocked unconscious. SGT H****** maneuvered while under fire to check on his men. B******* quickly regained his senses and all three soldiers continued to maintain the pressure on the enemy while waiting for QRF. By the time assistance arrived on the scene the sniper team had killed 6 AIF and destroyed 3 AIF vehicles with small arms fire. US embeds arrived with a section of ING to assist at approximately 1426 Hrs. At approximately 1430 hrs a QRF platoon of infantry from C/3-153 arrived. All forces under 1LT Mc***** of C/3-153 began searching homes where AIF was believed to had fled. The QRF moved towards one home and was engaged by an AIF with an AK 47 from the court-yard. The QRF eliminated the threat with a hand grenade. An estimated 4 to 5 AIF were able to escape with the mortar tubes. After all US forces consolidated and reorganized the wounded soldier was flown to the CSH from FOB Solidarity. These three snipers performed their duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the US Army Infantry and deserve to be recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty.

ooo I just remember 1lt MCc**** is 1Lt. Michael McCarty he earned a silver star for another incident.
• On Nov. 20th, Lt. Michael McCarty’s platoon was serving as the Quick Reaction Force for his company. He was called upon to respond to information that an Iraqi Police station in their area of operations was under attack. As the platoon arrived in the zone of attack, they were engaged by small arms fire, but continued on towards the police station when a suicide car bomber attempted to ram a vehicle in the convoy. The bomb detonated twenty feet from the closest gunship causing massive damage to the vehicle and injuring two of his Soldiers.

• Lt. McCarty maintained control, evacuated the wounded back to base, and returned to the battle to help the Iraqi Police. As they arrived just west of the police station, the platoon encountered a massive engagement by an estimated 75 Insurgents, which is an unusually high concentration of enemy forces at one point. McCarty’s platoon of 26 Soldiers was taking fire by Rocket Propelled Grenades, Medium Machine Guns, and various small arms.

• During the engagement, McCarty’s vehicle was hit with an armor piercing Rocket Propelled Grenade, which injured two more of his Soldiers. As this was happening McCarty observed a machine gun crew preparing to fire on his vehicle.

• With the vehicle still moving, McCarty jumped out and charged the gun crew, single-handedly taking out the three-man team, securing the machine gun, risking his own life and basically saving the lives of his men.

• While McCarty remained dismounted in order to acquire targets during the engagement, he also successfully coordinating an ammunition resupply and casualty evacuation through a radio call to a supporting platoon.

• Continuing with the fight, McCarty was finally forced to break contact with 4 of his 6 vehicles damaged and the ammunition supply running low again, but not before McCarty confirmed at least thirty enemy fighters had been killed.

• Even though more than 20 Rocket Propelled Grenades were launched by the insurgents during the attack, one hour after breaking contact, McCarty declared he was ready to go back into battle. Lt. McCarty led his platoon from the front, which resulted in the destruction of a much larger enemy force and saved the lives of his own men.