3 Silver Stars awarded for fierce firefight at Fort Campbell

3 Silver Stars awarded for fierce firefight
By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Sep 5, 2011 9:20:28 EDT

101st Airborne Commanding General Maj. Gen. John Campbell, right, makes remarks on Sgt. Rocky Bloom, left, and Staff Sgt. Sean Outman during a ceremony Tuesday at Fort Campbell after they received Silver Star Medals for their valor in Afghanistan.

Rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire slammed into the soldiers’ command post, immediately taking out some of their weapon systems.

The enemy had launched an L-shaped ambush, targeting soldiers from A Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment.

Spc. Jesse Snow, without regard for his safety and despite his disabled weapon, low-crawled to the command post to aid the wounded. He dragged two comrades more than 30 feet to cover, at the same time spotting targets for a machine-gun team.

When the team ran low on ammunition, Snow, under intense enemy fire, fed them more. As he continued to provide life-saving aid to the wounded, Snow used his body to shield a wounded soldier from intense, incoming machine-gun fire.

When the fighting stopped, Snow and four other soldiers had been fatally wounded.

But for his actions on that day in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Snow was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the third-highest award for valor.

Also recognized for their actions that day are Staff Sgt. Sean Outman and Sgt. Rocky Bloom, who received their Silver Stars during a ceremony Aug. 9 at Fort Campbell, Ky.
read more here