- SURNAME
Byrd
- FORENAME
Jordan Matthew
- UNIT
506 Infantry Regiment (Air Assault) (Company A,1 Bn)
- RANK
Private First Class
- NUMBER
- DATE OF DEATH
13th October 2010
- AGE
19
- GRAVESITE
Grantsville City Cemetery,Grantsville,Tooele County,Utah
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Grantsville,Utah
born 16.11.1990 Cody,Wyoming
son of Justin and stepson of Jennifer Brost
son of Roberta and stepson of Scott Pitt,
husband of Savanna Byrd (1 son Ayden)
graduated Dugway High School
entered service September 2009
medic
506 IR April 2010
award Silver Star (posthumous),Army Commendation Medal
KIA Yahya Kheyl,Paktika ProvinceAfghanistan
DATE OF DEATH:
13-Oct-2010AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/byrd-jordan-matthew.40862/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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Jordan Matthew Byrd, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy as a Combat Medic with the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division on 13 October 2010. While on patrol, his element came under intense small arms, rocket propelled grenade and mortar fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he maneuvered through the enemy kill zone across 30 meters of open terrain to render lifesaving aid to a fellow comrade. Private First Class Byrd's distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force Red Currahee, Combined Task Force Currahee, Combined Joint Task Force - 101 and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Private First Class Jordan Matthew Byrd distinguished himself through heroism and gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States as a Combat Medic for 4th Platoon, Able Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Without regard to his own personal safety, Private First Class Byrd maneuvered across 30 meters of open ground under fire to provide medical aid and shield a wounded comrade. On 13 October 2010, Private First Class Byrd and his platoon were conducting an air assault in Kalanar, Yahya Khei District, Patika Province, Afghanistan, as part of Operation TALASHI KHMAR, a company cordon and search when their lead element came under intense enemy small arms fire. Private First Class Byrd and his platoon were tasked with establishing the outer cordon, requiring them to establish security in one of the most hostile areas in the Battalion's area of operations. During the initial barrage, Specialist Sustaita was struck in the leg with small arms fire. One of the platoon's sections immediately returned fire to suppress the enemy and gain fire superiority. Private First Class Byrd, with total disregard for his own safety, ran through the enemy kill zone, crossing approximately 30 meters of open terrain with rounds impacting around him to provide medical treatment on Specialist Sustaita. Despite accurate enemy sniper, AK-47, PKM, RPG, and mortar fire, Private First Class Byrd continued the treatment of the injured Soldier, putting himself between the enemy fire and the casualty, in order to provide life-saving treatment to the Soldier. As 4th Platoon's section exchanged fire, the enemy began to employ 82-mm. mortars which impacted within 75 meters of their position. The accuracy and volume of enemy fire coupled with the lack of cover and concealment pinned down the section and prevented it from reaching Private First Class Byrd and Specialist Sustaita. Private First Class Byrd shielded the casualty despite the accuracy and volume of enemy fire, and placed a tourniquet on Specialist Sustaita's wounded leg which proved to be life saving. After several minutes of being exposed, Private First Class Byrd was expertly working to stop the arterial bleeding in Specialist Sustaita's leg when he was fatally wounded. Private First Class Byrd's immediate medical attention to Specialist Sustaita likely saved his life. Despite accurate enemy fire, he displayed selfless service and distinguished gallantry crossing 30 meters of open terrain despite heavy contact in order to apply life saving medical care on a fellow Soldier while using his own body as a shield. Private First Class Byrd inspired his fellow Soldiers through his heroic and selfless act and is fully deserving of the Silver Star for his gallantry under fire. Private First Class Byrd's actions are in keeping with the finest military traditions and reflect distinct credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Private First Class Jordan Matthew Byrd distinguished himself through heroism and gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States as a Combat Medic for 4th Platoon, Able Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Without regard to his own personal safety, Private First Class Byrd maneuvered across 30 meters of open ground under fire to provide medical aid and shield a wounded comrade. On 13 October 2010, Private First Class Byrd and his platoon were conducting an air assault in Kalanar, Yahya Khei District, Patika Province, Afghanistan, as part of Operation TALASHI KHMAR, a company cordon and search when their lead element came under intense enemy small arms fire. Private First Class Byrd and his platoon were tasked with establishing the outer cordon, requiring them to establish security in one of the most hostile areas in the Battalion's area of operations. During the initial barrage, Specialist Sustaita was struck in the leg with small arms fire. One of the platoon's sections immediately returned fire to suppress the enemy and gain fire superiority. Private First Class Byrd, with total disregard for his own safety, ran through the enemy kill zone, crossing approximately 30 meters of open terrain with rounds impacting around him to provide medical treatment on Specialist Sustaita. Despite accurate enemy sniper, AK-47, PKM, RPG, and mortar fire, Private First Class Byrd continued the treatment of the injured Soldier, putting himself between the enemy fire and the casualty, in order to provide life-saving treatment to the Soldier. As 4th Platoon's section exchanged fire, the enemy began to employ 82-mm. mortars which impacted within 75 meters of their position. The accuracy and volume of enemy fire coupled with the lack of cover and concealment pinned down the section and prevented it from reaching Private First Class Byrd and Specialist Sustaita. Private First Class Byrd shielded the casualty despite the accuracy and volume of enemy fire, and placed a tourniquet on Specialist Sustaita's wounded leg which proved to be life saving. After several minutes of being exposed, Private First Class Byrd was expertly working to stop the arterial bleeding in Specialist Sustaita's leg when he was fatally wounded. Private First Class Byrd's immediate medical attention to Specialist Sustaita likely saved his life. Despite accurate enemy fire, he displayed selfless service and distinguished gallantry crossing 30 meters of open terrain despite heavy contact in order to apply life saving medical care on a fellow Soldier while using his own body as a shield. Private First Class Byrd inspired his fellow Soldiers through his heroic and selfless act and is fully deserving of the Silver Star for his gallantry under fire. Private First Class Byrd's actions are in keeping with the finest military traditions and reflect distinct credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/44827FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60126518/jordan-matthew-byrd
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