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.
Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com