- SURNAME
Ford
- FORENAME
Sheffield F. III
- UNIT
7 SF Group (Det A-765,Company A,2 Bn)
- RANK
Captain
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star,Bronze Star
- PLACE
Afghanistan 2006 (Op.Kaika)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Dixon,California
born Dixon,California
entered service 1989
1 SF Group (Det A-145) 1993
Officer Candidate School
commissioned 1999
graduated Columbus State University 2001
1 Bn 15th Infantry Regiment,3rd Infantry Division
2 Bn 69th Armor Regiment 2002
7 SF Group (HQ and HQ Company)
7 SF Group (2 Bn)
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 Captain (Infantry) Sheffield F. Ford, III, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Detachment Commander, Operational Detachment Alpha 765 (ODA-765), Company A, 2d Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 24 June 2006, at Pashmul, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Captain Ford's heroic actions and courageous leadership were the decisive factors in the defeat of a determined and numerically superior enemy force. His actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command-Central, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Captain Sheffield F. Ford, United States Army, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry in action as the Detachment Commander for Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha-765, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. From 23 to 24 June 2006, while conducting Operation KAIKA, a cordon and search mission to capture or kill Taliban leadership in Panjawi District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Captain Ford led his detachment throughout multiple engagements with an estimated 200 Taliban fighters. On 23 June, as the operation began, the detachment's vehicles were slowed during their approach to the objective by restrictive terrain. Captain Ford immediately adjusted his assault plan by dismounting his force and moving rapidly toward the compounds. During the assault, close air support aircraft identified enemy activity in a compound to the south of the objective. Captain Ford personally organized and led an assault team toward the compound. He entered the structure, engaged enemy fighters in close combat and secured the target. Throughout this initial phase of the operation, while engaging Taliban forces, he continued to coordinate the activities of the other assault teams, direct close air support, and inform Task Force-73 of situational changes. Captain Ford established a perimeter around the objective and secured the entire objective area, when a large Taliban force counterattacked from several directions. Without hesitation, Captain Ford climbed into the turret of his vehicle and engaged enemy attackers with the M2 machine gun. Under an extraordinary volume of small arms, machinegun and rocket-propelled grenade fires, he remained in the exposed turret, ignoring the strikes of bullets and grenade fragments around him, accurately and calmly firing into the Taliban assault. A team member relieved him on the weapon, whereby he moved to the rear of the vehicle to operate the M240B machinegun. While firing, he simultaneously coordinated the defense of the patrol base with other detachment elements, directed close air support and maintained communication with Task Force-73 headquarters. He passed the radio handset to a detachment member and began adjusting the perimeter, while exposed to intense and effective enemy fires, in order to better defend against the assault. Captain Ford moved calmly and rapidly around the perimeter, directing fire and adjusting crew-served weapons. As the enemy fire increased, the defenders began to lose fire superiority against the overwhelming attack. Without concern for his own safety, Captain Ford moved among the Afghan positions, encouraging, directing and motivating them to rejoin the fight. He set a fearless example that inspired the young soldiers to defend with renewed vigor. Captain Ford continued to command and control the battle, while moving about the perimeter, completely exposed to the enemy's fires, to ensure that the defense was properly executed. After an intense, extended exchange of fires, the Taliban withdrew. The following, day Captain Ford identified a compound situated on key terrain occupied by several enemy fighters. He dispatched the Team Sergeant with an assault team to attack and secure the compound. Immediately after the assault, an unexpectedly large Taliban force counterattacked, split the Team Sergeant's force into two elements, and surrounded both groups. Captain Ford learned that the two American soldiers at the support by fire position were both wounded, and immediately organized a quick reaction force to reinforce the compound being held by the Team Sergeant and recover the two wounded soldiers from their isolated position. More enemy elements moved in, flooded the battlefield, surrounded Captain Ford's patrol base, and attacked from three directions. Once again, without hesitation, he moved to the M240B machinegun and began firing from his exposed position into the attackers. He relayed instructions over the radio to organize the defense of the patrol base, coordinated the activities of three isolated dismounted elements, directed close air support, and updated his commander continuously, all while engaging attackers with a crew-served weapon. The enemy assault evolved into a well-coordinated attack from all directions, so Captain Ford relinquished his machinegun to a teammate and began adjusting his perimeter. The defense again began to falter in the face of extremely high volumes of enemy fire; the Taliban attackers were close enough to shout threats into the perimeter. Captain Ford shouted encouragement and moved from one position to another, despite accurate enemy fires and rocket-propelled grenades exploding in the air above him. He fired at the enemy, motivated his soldiers, and set a courageous example that energized the defenders and inspired new resolve. The Taliban assault was again forced to withdraw in the face of Captain Ford's determined defense. He continued directing close air support to support the movement of his three isolated elements, coordinated link-up, and requested an ammunition resupply and medical evacuation aircraft. Under Captain Ford's expert leadership and direction, all casualties were evacuated, and all friendly elements were consolidated and returned safely to the patrol base. Captain Ford's courageous actions and determined leadership in the face of an overwhelming attack by a well-armed and determined enemy force prevented the destruction of his encircled detachment. His gallantry, dedication to duty, and selfless sacrifice exemplified the warrior ethos by decisively engaging and defeating a numerically superior force, rescuing two wounded soldiers, and forcing the Taliban retreat. The heroic accomplishments of Captain Ford reflect great credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Captain Sheffield F. Ford, United States Army, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry in action as the Detachment Commander for Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha-765, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. From 23 to 24 June 2006, while conducting Operation KAIKA, a cordon and search mission to capture or kill Taliban leadership in Panjawi District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Captain Ford led his detachment throughout multiple engagements with an estimated 200 Taliban fighters. On 23 June, as the operation began, the detachment's vehicles were slowed during their approach to the objective by restrictive terrain. Captain Ford immediately adjusted his assault plan by dismounting his force and moving rapidly toward the compounds. During the assault, close air support aircraft identified enemy activity in a compound to the south of the objective. Captain Ford personally organized and led an assault team toward the compound. He entered the structure, engaged enemy fighters in close combat and secured the target. Throughout this initial phase of the operation, while engaging Taliban forces, he continued to coordinate the activities of the other assault teams, direct close air support, and inform Task Force-73 of situational changes. Captain Ford established a perimeter around the objective and secured the entire objective area, when a large Taliban force counterattacked from several directions. Without hesitation, Captain Ford climbed into the turret of his vehicle and engaged enemy attackers with the M2 machine gun. Under an extraordinary volume of small arms, machinegun and rocket-propelled grenade fires, he remained in the exposed turret, ignoring the strikes of bullets and grenade fragments around him, accurately and calmly firing into the Taliban assault. A team member relieved him on the weapon, whereby he moved to the rear of the vehicle to operate the M240B machinegun. While firing, he simultaneously coordinated the defense of the patrol base with other detachment elements, directed close air support and maintained communication with Task Force-73 headquarters. He passed the radio handset to a detachment member and began adjusting the perimeter, while exposed to intense and effective enemy fires, in order to better defend against the assault. Captain Ford moved calmly and rapidly around the perimeter, directing fire and adjusting crew-served weapons. As the enemy fire increased, the defenders began to lose fire superiority against the overwhelming attack. Without concern for his own safety, Captain Ford moved among the Afghan positions, encouraging, directing and motivating them to rejoin the fight. He set a fearless example that inspired the young soldiers to defend with renewed vigor. Captain Ford continued to command and control the battle, while moving about the perimeter, completely exposed to the enemy's fires, to ensure that the defense was properly executed. After an intense, extended exchange of fires, the Taliban withdrew. The following, day Captain Ford identified a compound situated on key terrain occupied by several enemy fighters. He dispatched the Team Sergeant with an assault team to attack and secure the compound. Immediately after the assault, an unexpectedly large Taliban force counterattacked, split the Team Sergeant's force into two elements, and surrounded both groups. Captain Ford learned that the two American soldiers at the support by fire position were both wounded, and immediately organized a quick reaction force to reinforce the compound being held by the Team Sergeant and recover the two wounded soldiers from their isolated position. More enemy elements moved in, flooded the battlefield, surrounded Captain Ford's patrol base, and attacked from three directions. Once again, without hesitation, he moved to the M240B machinegun and began firing from his exposed position into the attackers. He relayed instructions over the radio to organize the defense of the patrol base, coordinated the activities of three isolated dismounted elements, directed close air support, and updated his commander continuously, all while engaging attackers with a crew-served weapon. The enemy assault evolved into a well-coordinated attack from all directions, so Captain Ford relinquished his machinegun to a teammate and began adjusting his perimeter. The defense again began to falter in the face of extremely high volumes of enemy fire; the Taliban attackers were close enough to shout threats into the perimeter. Captain Ford shouted encouragement and moved from one position to another, despite accurate enemy fires and rocket-propelled grenades exploding in the air above him. He fired at the enemy, motivated his soldiers, and set a courageous example that energized the defenders and inspired new resolve. The Taliban assault was again forced to withdraw in the face of Captain Ford's determined defense. He continued directing close air support to support the movement of his three isolated elements, coordinated link-up, and requested an ammunition resupply and medical evacuation aircraft. Under Captain Ford's expert leadership and direction, all casualties were evacuated, and all friendly elements were consolidated and returned safely to the patrol base. Captain Ford's courageous actions and determined leadership in the face of an overwhelming attack by a well-armed and determined enemy force prevented the destruction of his encircled detachment. His gallantry, dedication to duty, and selfless sacrifice exemplified the warrior ethos by decisively engaging and defeating a numerically superior force, rescuing two wounded soldiers, and forcing the Taliban retreat. The heroic accomplishments of Captain Ford reflect great credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/3901
Last edited by a moderator:
