Heroes

Staff SGT Jarion Halbisengibbs, US Army
Distinguished Service Cross, Awarded for actions in the Global War on Terror

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Jarion Halbisengibbs, United States Army, extraordinary heroism in action on 10 September 2007 in combat operations in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM. As the Detachment weapon sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha 083 (ODA-083), 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs displayed extraordinary courage under fire while combat-advising a combined assault element of the Iraqi National Police during Operation Chromium, a raid to capture Al Qaeda in Iraq’s Minister of Defense for Ad Din Province in Samarra. Through his fearless actions, Staff Sergeant Halbisengibbs directly saved the lives of two of his fellow Soldiers, personally killed six of … Read more »

Ssgt Sky R. Mote, USMC
Navy Cross (Posthumously) – Awarded for Actions in the Global War on Terror

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Sky R. Mote, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, Marine Special Operations Team 8133, First Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While conducting village stability operations in Helmand Province on 10 August 2012, the Marine Tactical Operations Center came under automatic small arms fire from a rogue Afghan uniformed policeman attacking from inside the perimeter. Working in an adjacent room and unseen by the attacker, Staff Sergeant Mote could have exited the structure to safety. He instead grabbed his M4 rifle and entered the operations … Read more »

Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins, US Army
Distinguished Service Cross (Awarded Posthumously)- For actions in the Global War on Terror

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkins, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, on 1 June 2007. Staff Sergeant Atkins distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry at the cost of his life in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. While conducting route security in the town of Abu Sarnak, Iraq, Staff Sergeant Atkins apprehended and began to search a group of suspected insurgents. However, one insurgent resisted and engaged Staff Sergeant Atkins in hand-to-hand … Read more »

Technical Sergeant Matthew Greiner, USAF
Awarded the Silver Star, For Actions in the Global War on Terror

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Matthew J. Greiner, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States while serving with the 21st Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron in Helmand Province, Afghanistan from 27 to 29 September 2014. On these days, while attached to a United States Special Forces team, Sergeant Greiner displayed extraordinary bravery and complete disregard for his own safety as he and his teammates assaulted an insurgent safe haven. Within minutes of landing on target, Sergeant Greiner used available aircraft sensors to locate groups of insurgents maneuvering through villages to engage A-10s and … Read more »

Airman 1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, USAF
Bronze Star (Posthumously) — For actions during the Global War on Terror

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pride in presenting the Bronze Star Medal (Posthumously) to Airman First Class Elizabeth N. Jacobson, United States Air Force, for meritorious achievement as a Gun Truck Crew Served Weapons Operator for Convoy Operations, 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, 386th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, United States Central Command Air Forces, while engaged in ground operations against an opposing armed force at Camp Bucca, Iraq on 28 September 2005. On that date while providing lead security on a convoy mission to Navistar on the border of Iraq and Kuwait, her vehicle was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device. Airman Jacobson gave her life in the defense of our nation and for … Read more »