- SURNAME
Brown
- FORENAME
Matthew L.
- UNIT
3 SF Group
- RANK
Sergeant First Class
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
Afghanistan 2013
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
home town Magnolia, Texas
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Matthew L. Brown, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy on 10 November 2011, while serving as Senior Engineer Sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha-3321, Special Operations Task Force East, Bagram Airfield in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Sergeant First Class Brown distinguished himself by courageously assaulting the Chamkani District Center with an unknown number of suicide bombers barricaded inside to rescue 15 hostages and regain control of the insurgent held structure. During the initial assault, Sergeant Brown caught an insurgent-thrown grenade and threw it into an unoccupied corner, saving the lives of numerous assaulters. Despite his wounds, Sergeant Brown continued to fight until the hostages were rescued. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, The Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan, the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan, the United States Forces-Afghanistan, and United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant First Class Matthew L. Brown, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as Senior Engineer Sergeant, Operation Detachment-Alpha 3321, Special Operations Task Force-East, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 10 November 2011, insurgents (INS) assaulted the Chamkani District Center (DC) which is in close proximity of Village Stability Platform (VSP) Chamkani. The INS force seized control of the DC, killing three Afghan National Police personnel, and established fighting positions on the second floor of the DC, and in a second building within the DC compound. Utilizing these fighting positions, the INS opened fire on VSP Chamkani with Small Arms Fire (SAF), Light Machine Gun, and Rocket Propelled Grenade, wounding one Afghan Security Guard. Sergeant Brown reconnoitered a covered and concealed route through a section of the Chamkani Bazaar to the DC entry control point. Sergeant Brown radioed the Assistant Detachment Commander (ADC) and relayed the covered route, ensuring the remainder of the element could move safely to the DC. Sergeant Brown moved to the DC and breached the door as his element moved inside and established a foothold in the main lobby area. INS immediately began firing down the stairwell from the second floor. Sergeant Brown established security and prepared to lead members of the assault force to clear the adjoining rooms. As soon as a second door was kicked open, INS barricaded in the room opened fire. Sergeant Brown immediately returned fire, suppressing the INS inside. He threw a fragmentation grenade into the room, and upon detonation of the grenade, Sergeant Brown and the ADC moved back to the door. As the dust settled, the ADC and Sergeant Brown proceeded to clear the room. As soon as they stepped into the room, an INS threw a grenade which passed over the ADC's left shoulder. Sergeant Brown yelled "Grenade!" and caught the grenade in his hands. Sergeant Brown, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved rapidly back out of the door and faced down the hallway. He threw the grenade towards the corner of the lobby while shouting "Frag Out!", allowing friendly forces to seek cover. Sergeant Brown then ran down the hall grabbing an Afghan Uniformed Police (AUP) member and shielded him with his body. As the grenade exploded, Sergeant Brown absorbed the shock and shrapnel from the grenade in his back, risking his own life to save the life of the AUP. Following the explosion, Sergeant Brown moved down the hall and exited the DC. Once outside, Sergeant Brown was fired upon again by INS with SAF and grenades from an adjacent building at close range. Sergeant Brown immediately returned fire and moved around the building to link up with two AUP members pulling security. Sergeant Brown, suffering mild shock due to his wounds, stopped at that position and radioed the Detachment Commander his position and injuries. Sergeant Brown directed the establishment of the inner cordon while a command post was established west of the main building. As reinforcements arrived, Sergeant Brown continued to ignore his wounds and integrated additional forces into the inner cordon, ensuring the perimeter was sealed off. As night fell, communication was established with one group of hostages. As the group of hostages made their way out of the DC with the cordon force, Sergeant Brown ensured each hostage was properly searched and placed in a temporary holding area for their safety. Sergeant Brown courageously and selflessly entered a compound with barricaded INS equipped with suicide vests, grenades, and a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device. During the initial assault, Sergeant Brown caught a grenade thrown by an INS and risking his own life to save the lives of his team mates and partnered forces, moved out of the room and threw it in a comer. His actions saved the lives of numerous assault force members. Sergeant Brown's courageous leadership from the onset of INS operations, even while injured, led to the successful rescue of all hostages and elimination of all INS at the DC. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan, the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan, the United States Forces - Afghanistan, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant First Class Matthew L. Brown, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as Senior Engineer Sergeant, Operation Detachment-Alpha 3321, Special Operations Task Force-East, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 10 November 2011, insurgents (INS) assaulted the Chamkani District Center (DC) which is in close proximity of Village Stability Platform (VSP) Chamkani. The INS force seized control of the DC, killing three Afghan National Police personnel, and established fighting positions on the second floor of the DC, and in a second building within the DC compound. Utilizing these fighting positions, the INS opened fire on VSP Chamkani with Small Arms Fire (SAF), Light Machine Gun, and Rocket Propelled Grenade, wounding one Afghan Security Guard. Sergeant Brown reconnoitered a covered and concealed route through a section of the Chamkani Bazaar to the DC entry control point. Sergeant Brown radioed the Assistant Detachment Commander (ADC) and relayed the covered route, ensuring the remainder of the element could move safely to the DC. Sergeant Brown moved to the DC and breached the door as his element moved inside and established a foothold in the main lobby area. INS immediately began firing down the stairwell from the second floor. Sergeant Brown established security and prepared to lead members of the assault force to clear the adjoining rooms. As soon as a second door was kicked open, INS barricaded in the room opened fire. Sergeant Brown immediately returned fire, suppressing the INS inside. He threw a fragmentation grenade into the room, and upon detonation of the grenade, Sergeant Brown and the ADC moved back to the door. As the dust settled, the ADC and Sergeant Brown proceeded to clear the room. As soon as they stepped into the room, an INS threw a grenade which passed over the ADC's left shoulder. Sergeant Brown yelled "Grenade!" and caught the grenade in his hands. Sergeant Brown, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved rapidly back out of the door and faced down the hallway. He threw the grenade towards the corner of the lobby while shouting "Frag Out!", allowing friendly forces to seek cover. Sergeant Brown then ran down the hall grabbing an Afghan Uniformed Police (AUP) member and shielded him with his body. As the grenade exploded, Sergeant Brown absorbed the shock and shrapnel from the grenade in his back, risking his own life to save the life of the AUP. Following the explosion, Sergeant Brown moved down the hall and exited the DC. Once outside, Sergeant Brown was fired upon again by INS with SAF and grenades from an adjacent building at close range. Sergeant Brown immediately returned fire and moved around the building to link up with two AUP members pulling security. Sergeant Brown, suffering mild shock due to his wounds, stopped at that position and radioed the Detachment Commander his position and injuries. Sergeant Brown directed the establishment of the inner cordon while a command post was established west of the main building. As reinforcements arrived, Sergeant Brown continued to ignore his wounds and integrated additional forces into the inner cordon, ensuring the perimeter was sealed off. As night fell, communication was established with one group of hostages. As the group of hostages made their way out of the DC with the cordon force, Sergeant Brown ensured each hostage was properly searched and placed in a temporary holding area for their safety. Sergeant Brown courageously and selflessly entered a compound with barricaded INS equipped with suicide vests, grenades, and a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device. During the initial assault, Sergeant Brown caught a grenade thrown by an INS and risking his own life to save the lives of his team mates and partnered forces, moved out of the room and threw it in a comer. His actions saved the lives of numerous assault force members. Sergeant Brown's courageous leadership from the onset of INS operations, even while injured, led to the successful rescue of all hostages and elimination of all INS at the DC. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan, the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan, the United States Forces - Afghanistan, and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/140911
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