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Army Sgt. 1st
Class James Brasher's “daring acts of intrepidity
and gallantry in the face of a numerically superior
and determined force,” have earned him a Silver
Star according to the citation that accompanied
the medal.
Those courageous acts occurred
on Dec. 8, 2007, when Brasher was serving as platoon
sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion,
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
The company had been
tasked to participate in Operation Mar Kararadad,
during which Brasher repeatedly exposed himself
to enemy fire to keep his soldiers out of danger.
The multinational mission to clear insurgents
from the Taliban stronghold of Musa Qal'eh, actually
began the night before when the company landed by
helicopter just outside of the city. Under cover
of darkness the soldiers moved to occupy a hill
overlooking the city.
At dawn, Company A
started taking small-arms and heavy machine-gun
fire from a small town at the base of the hill.
Brasher and the 2nd Platoon leader decided the town,
which was isolated from the rest of Musa Qal'eh
by a dry riverbed and already scheduled to be cleared
by the Platoon, should be cleared immediately.
As the soldiers began systematically clearing
buildings, a Taliban fighter attempted to the lead
squad, which included Brasher. He killed the gunman
before he could kill or injure any Paratroopers.
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The squad began taking small-arms as it advanced
to the next compound. Again, Brasher reacted, throwing
fragmentation grenades toward the enemy position,
thereby suppressing the attack and preventing the
enemy from getting a fix on the soldiers' position.
When the platoon leader's element was attacked
with machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled-grenades,
Brasher joined the group to pinpoint the enemy position,
once again exposing himself to enemy fire.
Brasher then led a squad to clear a compound
that put him and his soldiers in a better position
to return fire. As he was directing the Paratroopers,
he spotted a Taliban fighter with a machine gun
and opened fire. He then led his squad over a mud
wall in pursuit of the fleeing insurgent, killing
two more gunmen as the squad rounded the corner.
When the squad encountered a larger enemy force
more insurgents were killed.
As the Taliban
forces consolidated into a highly defensible compound
with thick walls, Brasher spotted the enemy positions
inside and began engaging them. That's when one
of the insurgent's bullets tore through his right
forearm and bicep, which slowed him down, but didn't
stop him from fighting and giving instructions,
according to the citation. In fact, the unit's medics
had to force him to submit to medical care.
“SFC Brasher's fearless actions and dedication
to mission accomplishment enabled Second Platoon
to destroy over 20 well-trained Taliban fighters.
His quick decisions and aggressive stance against
the enemy saved the lives of his men,” the
citation reads.
For his gallantry in action
with marked distinction, Army Maj. Gen. Curtis M.
Scarparrotti, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division
presented Brasher with a Silver Star on October
9. The ceremony was held at the 82nd Airborne Division
War Memorial Museum at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Photo and information
courtesy of US Army / DoD
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