- SURNAME
Hyder
- FORENAME
Victor D.
- UNIT
U.S.N. Seal Team 6
- RANK
Lieutenant Commander
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
Afghanistan 2002 (Op.Anaconda)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Victor D. Hyder, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a member of a special operations unit conducting combat operations against enemy forces in enemy territory from 3 to 4 March 2002. Initially assigned as a Liaison Officer, Lieutenant Commander Hyder attached himself to a quick reaction force en route to a mountaintop stronghold to rescue a joint SOF element engaged in a fierce firefight with a determined enemy. Arriving on the battlefield, he moved 800 meters through icy and precipitous terrain while close air support and mortar rounds impacted around him. After linking up with a friendly element, he carried one of the wounded team members for six hours as the team moved to break contact. During security halts, Lieutenant Commander Hyder provided situational updates to higher headquarters with his mobile phone. His reports from the field were the only source of information on the team's status and thus were absolutely critical to the ongoing rescue planning. During one such security halt, Lieutenant Commander Hyder engaged and killed with rifle fire an enemy fighter approaching the team's position. Arriving at a defendable position, he continued to provide command and control until the team could be evacuated nearly ten hours later. By his courage in the face of the enemy, composure under immense stress, and complete dedication to duty, Lieutenant Commander Hyder reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/28128
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