Silver Star Recipients Added to Valor Site

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2012 – Officials have added the names of those who have received Silver Star awards to a website listing recipients of the nation’s highest awards for valor.

The site launched in July with the names of those who have received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor, since Sept. 11, 2001.

On Aug. 1, officials added the names of those who have received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross or the Air Force Cross – the nation’s second-highest valor awards.

Now, the site also lists those who have received the Silver Star.

The site -- at http://valor.defense.gov -- is designed to raise awareness of service members’ heroism and to help in deterring those who falsely claim military honors, officials said.

Maryland Air National Guard member awarded the Air Force Cross for "extraordinary heroism"

By Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. John Orrell

National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va.  - Air Force Capt. Barry Crawford, a Maryland Air National Guard member from the 175th Wing, who fought in and survived a 14-hour firefight in 2010, was presented the Air Force Cross during a ceremony at the Pentagon today.

According to the certificate that is accompanying the Air Force Cross - which is the second highest military award for a member of the Air Force - Crawford earned this honor for “extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States,” where he was serving as an active duty Air Force special tactics officer near Laghman Province, Afghanistan May 4, 2010.

At the time of the firefight Crawford was a combat controller - in which he was the air-to-ground communications link - attached to an Army Special Forces Operational Detachment and their Afghan commando unit - the Afghani elite infantry troops much like U.S. Army Rangers.

On that day the group was tasked to participate in a large battle plan in the mountainous provinces just east of Kabul, he said.

After reaching the landing zone Crawford received reports that the enemy were positioning themselves on the high-ground for an attack.

The group started to receive machine gun and sniper fire from about 100 enemy fighters.  During the hail of gunfire all around him Crawford “took decisive action to save the lives of three wounded Afghan soldiers and evacuate two Afghan soldiers killed in action,” according to the citation.

At this point Crawford - recognizing that if the injured were not immediately evacuated they would die - ran into the open, surrounded by enemy fire, to ensure the rescue helicopter could find them.

 “Fortunately we were able to get them [medically evacuated] and [because of that] they are alive today,” he said.

Throughout the 14-hour event Crawford was able to engage what he called his “muscle memory” from years of training and was able to call in multiple AH-64 Apache helicopter 30mm strafe attacks, F-15E Strike Eagle maneuvers and continue to keep the enemy at bay with his weapon.

With ammunition running low and daylight escaping, the group had to exit the village. To achieve this they had to move about two kilometers over steep terrain. During this time Crawford’s element was ambushed and trapped in the open with enemy fighters – some as close as 150 meters – firing down upon them.

According to the citation, “without regard for his own life … Crawford moved alone across open terrain in the kill zone to locate and engage enemy positions with his assault rifle while directing AH-64 30 mm strafe attacks. Continuing to move the team further over 1.5 kilometers of steep terrain with minimal cover … Crawford again engaged the enemy with his assault rifle while integrating AH-64s and F-15Es in a coordinated air-to-ground attack plan that included strafing runs along with 500 and 2,000 pound bomb and Hellfire missile strikes.”

This was the moment when he felt that no matter how much he trained, it could have been the end.

“There was a point … when the ground force commander made the call that ‘we can’t stay any longer’ … we were almost out of ammo, we needed to get to the exfiltration helicopter landing zone to hopefully get out of there – and we knew were going to have to fight our way out of there,” he said.

At this point Crawford said he had a moment of clarity where his training stopped momentarily and his brain kicked in for a minute.

“We’ve been getting shot at, we’re soaking wet … and before we had to run uphill out of there I definitely thought ‘well, I’m probably going to get shot; get your mind ready … and find a way push through whatever is about to happen and just keep on doing what you’re doing. You’re keeping the enemy at bay, you’re crushing their will to fight,’” he said.

All-in-all throughout the entire 14-hours of the firefight Crawford was able to coordinate more than 33 aircraft and 40 airstrikes.

He attributes his actions that day to his training and the team mentality.

“Everyone that day performed heroically, it was the direst of situations once the enemy fire started it didn’t stop for 14 hours, and we were surrounded by a numerically superior force, Crawford said. “It was a kill-or-be-killed scenario and if everyone didn’t perform how they did - that complete team effort - I wouldn’t here today.”

After returning home Crawford wanted to continue to serve but also live out another dream of his – to become a pilot. He found this opportunity with the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Wing.

“I love serving my country, I don’t think there’s anything more honorable than that,” he said. “I was offered the opportunity to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training and become a member of the 104th Fighter Squadron … to fly A-10s.”

He said this is a move that is personal to him since he spent his time on the ground coordinating A-10s sometimes.

 “I love close air support – with my prior combat experience … I feel that once I learn to become an A-10 pilot then … I can bring some good to the unit but also to the Maryland Air National Guard … [with my] never quit attitude,” Crawford said. “I hope to bring those attributes and … add to the awesome tradition of the Air National Guard.”

Special Tactics Officer Receives Air Force Cross

By Air Force Capt. Kristen D. Duncan

Air Force Special Operations Command

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2012 – A special tactics officer received the Air Force Cross today for his role in a 2010 battle in Afghanistan.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz presented the award to Capt. Barry F. Crawford Jr. in the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes. The Air Force Cross is the service's highest medal, and second only to the Medal of Honor.

Crawford received the award for heroic actions controlling the air space and calling in airstrikes during the battle, allowing his special operations team to get out of the kill zone and ultimately saving the lives of his American comrades.

While assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron, Crawford was the joint terminal attack controller for a U.S. Army Special Forces and Afghan commando team.

Crawford called in multiple fixed- and rotary-wing air assets, allowing for the safe return of all U.S. forces, the evacuation of two Afghan commandos killed in action, and the rescue of three other wounded Afghan commandos.

"Captain Crawford repeatedly and conspicuously disregarded his own safety to assist his United States and Afghan teammates," Schwartz said at today’s ceremony. "It is not hard to be utterly impressed by his bravery and inspired by his selflessness."

"Crawford braved effective enemy fire and consciously placed himself at grave risk on four occasions while controlling over 33 aircraft and more than 40 airstrikes on a well-trained and well-prepared enemy force,” his award citation reads. “His selfless actions and expert airpower employment neutralized a numerically superior enemy force and enabled friendly elements to exfiltrate the area without massive casualties."

The team of about 100 personnel flew into the steep mountains of Laghman province early May 4, 2010. As soon as they were on the ground, they heard enemy chatter on the radios. Within 30 minutes, they found a substantial weapons cache inside the village. The enemy force apparently was dug in to defensive positions, waiting for the sun to rise before beginning their assault on the coalition force.

"As soon as the sun came up, we started taking extremely heavy enemy fire," Crawford said in an interview. "Our placement in the middle of the village, and the enemy's superior fighting positions, required us to 'run the gauntlet' of enemy fire no matter where we were in the valley."

Enemy fighters were expertly using sniper and medium machine-gun fire to target the force as insurgents were closing in on their location from all sides. Five commandos were wounded in the assault.

"Recognizing that the wounded Afghan soldiers would die without evacuation to definitive care, Captain Crawford took decisive action and ran out into the open in an effort to guide the [medical evacuation] helicopter to the landing zone," according to the citation. "Once the pilot had eyes on his position, Crawford remained exposed, despite having one of his radio antennas shot off mere inches from his face.

"Acting without hesitation,” the citation continues, “Crawford then bounded across open terrain, engaging enemy positions with his assault rifle and called in AH-64 strafe attacks to defeat the ambush."

When the weather cleared, the team moved along the steep terrain. To allow his team to freely move in the open and prevent further casualties, Crawford coordinated the delivery of danger-close AH-64 Apache Hellfire missiles, and 500- and 2,000-pound joint direct attack munition bombs from F-15E Strike Eagles.

"Everyone there was on task and wanted to crush the enemy," Crawford said. "My teammates went above and beyond, and everyone's efforts really re-energized the entire assault force's morale."

As the U.S. and Afghan commandos left the burned-out village, Crawford's team once again came under attack. Stuck in an open, narrow valley with 300- to 500-foot sheer mountain cliffs around them, the team was forced to hold their position in poor weather conditions.

With the enemy merely 150 meters away, Crawford repeatedly called for danger-close 30 mm strafing, and rocket attacks from AH-64 Apaches overhead. To mark the enemy locations, Crawford ran into the open to engage the enemy while continuing to direct Apache airstrikes.

"The Apaches were our lifeline," Crawford said. "They were consistently engaging. It was a battle of survival for us, and they unleashed hell on the enemy."

The original mission was to collect intelligence from a remote village sympathetic to the Taliban. However, the village had been burned prior to their arrival. Their mission quickly turned into a battle for survival, which was remarkably successful. The special operations team suffered two Afghan commando casualties, but more than 80 insurgents were killed during the engagement, including three high-ranking enemy commanders.

Crawford is currently assigned to the 104th Fighter Squadron in the Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Fighter Wing. He will soon attend pilot training to fly the A-10 Thunderbolt II.

Special Tactics Officer to be Presented Air Force Cross

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz will present the Air Force Cross to Capt. Barry F. Crawford Jr., during a ceremony at the Hall of Heroes, Pentagon, April 12, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

Crawford is receiving the award of the Air Force Cross for taking decisive action to save the lives of three wounded Afghan soldiers and evacuate two Afghan soldiers killed in action.

Crawford will be available to media for on-camera interviews in the Pentagon’s small television studio (2E963) on Wednesday, April 11, from 8 a.m. to noon.  Additionally, there will be a media roundtable scheduled on April 11 at 1 p.m. in the Pentagon Press Briefing Room (2E973).

Media wishing to attend any of the events should RSVP, with Air Force public affairs at 703-695-0640.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of press affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  For more information about the Air Force Cross, please visit http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7726 .