Green Berets receive dozens of combat awards for ‘valorous actions’ during Afghanistan deployment
"The valor we are recognizing today happened at the most tactical level – face to face fighting, close quarters combat, hand grenade range"
A group of elite Green Berets has received dozens of combat awards, including three Silver Stars, for their “valorous actions” during a 2018 deployment to Afghanistan, the Army announced on Thursday.
Troops from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) received three Silver Stars, seven Bronze Star Medals with valor devices and 17 Army Commendation Medals with valor devices during an awards ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida on Thursday, the Army said in a press release.
Maj. Daniel Lessard, a spokesman for 1st Special Forces Group Command (Airborne), told Task & Purpose that soldiers from the unit also received 21 Purple Hearts, bringing to the total number of combat awards to nearly 50.
“The valor we are recognizing today happened at the most tactical level — face to face fighting, close quarters combat, hand grenade range,” said Col. Steven Marks, deputy commander of 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), during the ceremony, according to an Army press release.
“This is a reminder that even in the modern age, warfare is still about courage under fire, having the mental sharpness to operate with expertise in the worst of times and taking action to protect your brother, your team and your partners,” he added.
The 7th SFG(A) earned their awards during a six-month deployment with the Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan in support of Operation Resolute Support in 2018.
During the deployment, the unit “stabilized the security situation throughout the country prior to Afghan parliamentary elections and set conditions to advance a negotiated peace with the Taliban,” Case said.
According to the release, the 7th SFG(A) prevented enemy forces from seriously threatening or capturing any provincial capital during the deployment, a feat which had not been accomplished in years, according to the Armystatement.
“As a witness on the ground during this time, I can speak for the incredible progress over a six-month period these brave men achieved to bring stability to an unstable nation,” Marks.
The battalion operated alongside numerous coalition partner force units, elements from 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), and personnel from the 717th Ordinance Company, which is located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, according to the release.
