- SURNAME
Salabarria
- FORENAME
Alejandro
- UNIT
Marine Special Operations Regiment (Company F,2 Marine S.O. Bn)
- RANK
Hospital Corpsman Second Class
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
Afghanistan 2014
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Alejandro N. Salabarria, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Team Medic, Marine Special Operations Team 8214, Marine Special Operations Company F, Special Operations Task Force-West, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 15 September 2014. While staged on the landing zone prior to conducting a helicopter assault operation, a partnered Afghan Special Operations Commando initiated an assault on friendly forces. From only a few feet away and with his M-4 assault rifle and M-203 grenade launcher, the commando engaged the formation, which included United States Special Operations Forces, Italian Special Forces, and Afghan Special Operations Commandos. During the initial seconds of the attack, several United States and Afghan personnel were wounded, creating immediate overwhelming chaos across the formation. Without hesitation, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Salabarria maneuvered into the kill zone, engaging the rogue commando. Once he reached a severely wounded fellow medic, he dove between him and the rogue commando, using his body as a shield to prevent further injuries. While protecting the other medic with his body, he engaged the rogue commando with his M-4 rifle, killing him and removing the threat to his team. Immediately after securing the area, he rendered aid to two wounded team members and coordinated their evacuation via helicopter. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Salabarria reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/315783
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