- SURNAME
Morganti
- FORENAME
Brett
- UNIT
SEAL
- RANK
Electronics Technician Second Class
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Navy Cross
- PLACE
March 2002
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Electronics Technician Second Class (SEAL) Brett Morganti, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy 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. Petty Officer Morganti displayed extraordinary heroism, superb tactical performance, and inspiring perseverance as a member of a six-man team that flew back into an enemy stronghold atop a 10,000-foot mountain in order to rescue a captured teammate. As automatic fire erupted from an enemy bunker less than five meters ahead of him, Petty Officer Morganti immediately maneuvered to provide covering fire for a wounded teammate. He courageously left his position of cover to pour fire from his M60 machine gun into the enemy bunker, killing several enemies. In the process, he sustained gunshot and fragmentation wounds in both legs. When his team leader ordered the team to break contact, Petty Officer Morganti led the withdrawal as the team's point man, ignoring the intense pain and blood loss from his wounds to maneuver over one kilometer through icy and precipitous terrain to reach a defendable location. Petty Officer Morganti's tactical expertise, and courageous efforts significantly attrited the enemy fighters atop the mountain and contributed to their eventual defeat. By his outstanding display of incredible courage, immeasurable perseverance in the face of heavy enemy fire, and complete devotion to duty, Petty Officer Morganti reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
