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Navy Chief EOD Technician Matt O’Connor Awarded Silver Star
by U.S. Navy Lt. Kara Handley
April 26, 2020
Vice Adm. Scott Conn, commander, U.S. Third Fleet, presented the
Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in
action to Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician Matthew
J. O’Connor during an award presentation held onboard Naval Base
Point Loma, San Diego, California on February 13, 2020.
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February 13, 2020 - Vice Adm. Scott D. Conn, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet (C3F) and Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Matt O’Connor, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11, during a Silver Star Medal award ceremony held at the C3F headquarters. The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. U.S. Navy EOD is the world’s premier combat force for eliminating explosive threats so the Fleet and Nation can fight and win whenever, wherever. (U.S. Navy
photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey S. Trietsch)
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As a member of EOD Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11, O’Connor was deployed
in April 2019 with a Special Operations Task Force in support of
Operation Inherent Resolve when his team maneuvered into an
enemy-held village and assaulted a facility known to be producing
improvised explosive devices.
After his team came under
enemy fire, O’Connor exposed himself in order to carry a wounded
teammate to cover where he subsequently rendered lifesaving medical
treatment and coordinated suppressive fire. O’Connor exposed himself
a second time to retrieve a wounded U.S. linguist. After moving the
linguist to safety and carrying his first teammate through enemy
fire and difficult terrain to the casualty collection point,
O’Connor returned to the target area, conducted post assault
procedures, and guided the remaining combined task force through
terrain laden with improvised explosive devices.
"Adversity
under fire doesn't test one's character, it reveals it," said Conn.
"Chief O'Connor revealed that day that his character, choices, and
actions clearly warrant the recognition afforded by a Silver Star."
O’Connor, originally from Bellingham, Washington, said, “I am
honored to receive the Silver Star and appreciate the recognition;
however, I want people to know that it took a whole group of guys to
ensure everyone returned safely. I was not the only one out there,
and this is reflective of a team effort.”
As one of their
primary mission areas, Navy EOD supports U.S. special operations
forces against the threat of explosives, enabling access and freedom
of maneuver on the battlefield and at sea. The community’s unique
combination of military free fall, dive and advanced expeditionary
combat skills training ensures Navy EOD technicians can infiltrate
and operate in any environment.
“I am extremely proud of
Chief O’Connor for his bravery and commitment to the Navy EOD
mission,” said Capt. Oscar Rojas, commodore, Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Group One. “His actions in combat demonstrate the culture
of operational excellence that our entire community drives towards
every day in order to defend America and the American way of life.”
EODMU11 provides operational EOD capabilities to include
locating, identifying, rendering safe, exploiting, recovering, and
disposing of all explosive ordnance, including chemical and nuclear
weapons, while providing access for conventional and special
operations forces to maneuver across the full range of military
operations.
U.S. Navy EOD is the world’s premier combat force
for eliminating explosive threats so the Fleet and Nation can fight
and win whenever, wherever.
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