SEALS Slabinski, Britt Kelly (Slab)

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Slabinski
  • FORENAME
Britt Kelly (Slab)
  • UNIT
U.S.N. Seal Team 6
  • RANK
Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SEAL)
  • NUMBER

  • AWARD
Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Navy and Marine Corps Lifesaving Medal
  • PLACE
Afghanistan 2002 (op.Anaconda)
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
son of former UDT (Class 1953)
born Northampton, Massachusetts
graduated high school 2008
enlisted U.S.N. 1988
graduated BUD/S Class 164 January 1990
Seal Team 4 1990-93
Seal Team 6 (not 8) 1993-2006
Naval Special Warfare Development and Evaluation Squadron 2 (Command Master Chief) 2006-08
Joint Special Operations Command, Washington, D.C. (Senior Enlisted Advisor) 2008-2010
Naval Special Warfare Group 2 (Command Master Chief) 2010-12
Director of Naval Special Warfare Safety Assurance and Analysis Program 2012-14
retired June 2014 as Master Chief Special Warfare Operator
awarded Medal of Honor 24.5.2018
The mission for which Britt Slabinski received the Navy Cross was called the "Battle of Roberts Ridge," named for Neil Roberts, a SEAL who was pitched out of a helicopter when it made a quick turn, and ultimately executed by the Taliban. At the time of his actions, Slabinski was serving with the British Special Boat Service. The British at one point were reportedly considering awarding Slabinski the Victoria Cross. Britt Slabinski also participated in the highly publicized rescue mission to recover Army PFC Jessica Lynch. In 2018 his Navy Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
 

CITATION:

Medal Of Honor : The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SEAL) Britt Kelly Slabinski, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism as Sniper Element Leader in Sea-Air-Land Team EIGHT (SEAL-8), conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while assigned to a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In the early morning of 4 March 2002, Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Slabinski led a reconnaissance team to its assigned area atop a 10,000-foot snow-covered mountain. Their insertion helicopter was suddenly riddled with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire from previously undetected enemy positions. The crippled helicopter lurched violently and ejected one teammate onto the mountain before the pilots were forced to crash land in the valley far below. Senior Chief Slabinski boldly rallied his five remaining team members and marshaled supporting assets for an assault to rescue their stranded teammate. During reinsertion the team came under fire from three directions, and one teammate started moving uphill toward an enemy strongpoint. Without regard for his own safety, Senior Chief Slabinski charged directly toward enemy fire to join his teammate. Together, they fearlessly assaulted and cleared the first bunker they encountered. The enemy then unleashed a hail of machine gun fire from a second hardened position only twenty meters away. Senior Chief Slabinski repeatedly exposed himself to deadly fire to personally engage the second enemy bunker and orient his team's fires in the furious, close-quarters firefight. Proximity made air support impossible, and after several teammates became casualties, the situation became untenable. Senior Chief Slabinski maneuvered his team to a more defensible position, directed air strikes in very close proximity to his team's position, and requested reinforcements. As daylight approached, accurate enemy mortar fire forced the team further down the sheer mountainside. Senior Chief Slabinski carried a seriously wounded teammate through deep snow and led a difficult trek across precipitous terrain while calling in fire on the enemy, which was engaging the team from the surrounding ridges. Throughout the next 14 hours, Senior Chief Slabinski stabilized the casualties and continued the fight against the enemy until the hill was secured and his team was extracted. By his undaunted courage, bold initiative, leadership, and devotion to duty, Senior Chief Slabinski reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SEAL) Britt Slabinski, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism as Sniper Element Leader in Sea-Air-Land Team EIGHT (SEAL-8), for a joint special operations unit conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation ANACONDA, Sahi-Kot Valley, Afghanistan on 3 and 4 March 2002, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On the evening of 3 March, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski led his seven-man reconnaissance team onto the snow-covered, 10,000 foot mountaintop known as Takur Ghar, to establish a combat overwatch position in support of U.S. Army forces advancing against the enemy on the valley floor. As their helicopter hovered over the mountain it was met by unrelenting rocket propelled grenade (RPG) and small arms fire by entrenched enemy forces. As a result of several RPG hits, a member of Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski's team was ejected from the helicopter into the midst of the fortified enemy positions. The badly damaged helicopter conducted a controlled crash, at which time Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski immediately took charge and established security on the crash location until the crew and his team were recovered to a support base. At this point, Senior Chief Slabinski fully aware of the overwhelming, fixed, enemy forces over the mountain, but also knowing the desperate situation of his missing teammate, now reportedly fighting for his life, without hesitation made the selfless decision to lead his team on an immediate, bold rescue mission. He heroically led the remainder of his SEAL element back onto the snow-covered, remote, mountaintop into the midst of the numerically superior enemy forces in a daring and valiant attempt to rescue one of their own. After a treacherous helicopter insertion onto the mountaintop, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski led his close quarter firefight. He skillfully maneuvered his team and bravely engaged multiple enemy positions, personally clearing one bunker and killing several enemy within. His unit became caught in a withering crossfire from other bunkers and the closing enemy forces. Despite mounting casualties, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski maintained his composure and continued to engage the enemy until his position became untenable. Faced with no choice but a tactical withdrawal, he coolly directed fire from airborne assets to cover his team. He then led an arduous movement through the mountainous terrain, constantly under fire, covering over one kilometer in waist-deep snow, while carrying a seriously wounded teammate. Arriving at a defensible position, he organized his team's security posture and stabilized his casualties. For over fourteen hours, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski directed the defense of his position through countless engagements, personally engaging the enemy and directing close air support onto the enemy positions until the enemy was ultimately defeated. During this entire sustained engagement, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski exhibited classic grace under fire in steadfastly leading the intrepid rescue operation, saving the lives of his wounded men and setting the conditions for the ultimate vanquishing of the enemy and the seizing of Takur Ghar. By his heroic display of decisive and tenacious leadership, unyielding courage in the face of constant enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Navy and Marine Corps Medal : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SEAL) Britt Kelly Slabinski, United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski's courageous, competent, and efficient actions and forceful leadership in directing the rescue effort, and in particular, in effecting the rescue of an elderly man trapped within the sinking dredge, at great risk to his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/3636
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