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The
President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Distinguished Service Cross
To
Brendan
O'Connor
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army
For
Services as Set Forth in the Following
Citation:
For extraordinary
heroism in combat as the Senior Medical Sergeant for Special Forces
Operational Detachment Alpha 765 (ODA-765), Company A, 2d Battalion, 7th
Special Forces Group (Airborne), in support of Operation ENDURING
FREEDOM, in Panjawal District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. On 24
June 2006, during Operation Kaiki, Sergeant O'Connor led a
quick-reaction force to reinforce a surrounded patrol and rescue two
wounded comrades. He maneuvered his force through Taliban positions and
crawled alone and unprotected, under enemy machinegun fire to reach the
wounded soldiers. He provided medical care while exposed to heavy
volumes of Taliban fire, then carried one of the wounded 150 meters
across open ground to an area of temporary cover. He climbed over a wall
three times, in plain view of the enemy, to assist the wounded soldiers
in seeking cover while bullets pounded the structure around them.
Sergeant O'Connor assumed duties as the detachment operations sergeant
and led the consolidation of three friendly elements, each surrounded,
isolated, and receiving fire from all directions. His remarkable actions
are in keeping with the highest traditions of military heroism and
reflect distinct credit upon himself, Special Operations Command
Central, the United States Army and the Department of Defense.
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