Sgt. David J. Sanders awarded Silver Star - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Sgt. David J. Sanders awarded Silver Star

Sergeant David J. Sanders, United States (US) Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the US as Engineer Sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 3336, Special Operations Task Force – 33, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 6 April 2008.

With total disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Sanders fought heroically to eliminate Insurgent fighters and rescue besieged US Soldiers and Afghan Commandos preventing them from being overrun by Insurgent forces.

Serving as the advisor for the lead assault Commando (CDO) element, Sergeant Sanders’ element was immediately pinned down in an exposed position by intense Insurgent sniper, Rocket Propelled Grenade, and machine gun fire on the side of the mountain.

Despite the heated initial engagement, he courageously exposed himself and employed his M203 grenade launcher to suppress Insurgent fighting positions along the top of the mountain.

Simultaneously Sergeant Sanders calmly and accurately relayed target information to the Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC) for the coordination of multiple danger Close Air Support Strikes (CAS).

His heroic efforts to mark Insurgent fighting positions with his grenade launcher was crucial for the delivery of on target ordinance that destroyed Insurgent fighting positions and made possible the withdrawal of his element. His actions enabled the assault element to consolidate with the Command and Control (C2) element which sustained multiple casualties.

Instantaneously upon seeing a teammate wounded by a Rocket Propelled Grenades that nearly severed his leg, Sergeant Sanders charged through an intense volume of heavy Insurgent fire to render life saving aid and to move him to a partially covered position.

While organizing casualties for extrication off the mountain, his Team Sergeant was wounded by Insurgent fire during movement on the primary route. Sergeant Sanders immediately reconnoitered for and located an alternate but more arduous route down the mountain.

Sergeant Sanders ascended and descended the mountain three times in order to move non-ambulatory casualties to the Casualty Collection Point (CCP).

During danger CAS strikes he shielded the casualties with his body from falling debris. Once all casualties were consolidated at the CCP Sergeant Sanders reconnoitered and established a Helicopter Landing Zone for extraction. Sergeant Sanders’ bravery, poise under fire and determination against a numerically superior force and concern for his fallen comrades, were integral to the successful Medical Evacuation and movement of the rest of the force to the extraction point.

His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit and honor upon himself, Special Operations Task Force — 33, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force — Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.