Romesha, Clinton L.
Rank and organization:
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Troop B, 3d Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment,
4th Infantry Division. Place
and Date: Combat Outpost
Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan,
3 October 2009.
Entered Service at: California.
Born: 17 August 1981, Lake City, California
Citation:
For acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty while serving as a Section Leader with Bravo
Troop, 3d Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th
Infantry Division, during combat operations against an armed enemy at
Combat Outpost Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan
on October 3, 2009. On that morning, Staff Sergeant Romesha and his
comrades awakened to an attack by an estimated 300 enemy fighters
occupying the high ground on all four sides of the complex, employing
concentrated fire from recoilless rifles, rocket propelled grenades,
anti-aircraft machine guns, mortars and small arms fire. Staff Sergeant
Romesha moved uncovered under intense enemy fire to conduct a
reconnaissance of the battlefield and seek reinforcements from the
barracks before returning to action with the support of an assistant
gunner. Staff Sergeant Romesha took out an enemy machine gun team and,
while engaging a second, the generator he was using for cover was struck
by a rocket-propelled grenade, inflicting him with shrapnel wounds.
Undeterred by his injuries, Staff Sergeant Romesha continued to fight
and upon the arrival of another soldier to aid him and the assistant
gunner, he again rushed through the exposed avenue to assemble
additional soldiers. Staff Sergeant Romesha then mobilized a five-man
team and returned to the fight equipped with a sniper rifle. With
complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Romesha
continually exposed himself to heavy enemy fire, as he moved confidently
about the battlefield engaging and destroying multiple enemy targets,
including three Taliban fighters who had breached the combat outpost's
perimeter. While orchestrating a successful plan to secure and reinforce
key points of the battlefield, Staff Sergeant Romesha maintained radio
communication with the tactical operations center. As the enemy forces
attacked with even greater ferocity, unleashing a barrage of
rocket-propelled grenades and recoilless rifle rounds, Staff Sergeant
Romesha identified the point of attack and directed air support to
destroy over 30 enemy fighters. After receiving reports that seriously
injured Soldiers were at a distant battle position, Staff Sergeant
Romesha and his team provided covering fire to allow the injured
Soldiers to safely reach the aid station. Upon receipt of orders to
proceed to the next objective, his team pushed forward 100 meters under
overwhelming enemy fire to recover and prevent the enemy fighters from
taking the bodies of their fallen comrades. Staff Sergeant Romesha's
heroic actions throughout the day-long battle were critical in
suppressing an enemy that had far greater numbers. His extraordinary
efforts gave Bravo Troop the opportunity to regroup, reorganize and
prepare for the counterattack that allowed the Troop to account for its
personnel and secure Combat Outpost Keating. Staff Sergeant Romesha's
discipline and extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty
reflect great credit upon himself, Bravo Troop, 3d Squadron, 61st
Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and the
United States Army.
