Born: August 30,
President, Maine
War: Somalia
Rank: Master Sergeant, U.S. Army (Sniper Team Leader)
Location hint at action: Mogadishu, Somalia
Date of action: October 3,
Medal received from: President Bill Clinton, May (posthumously)
Official Citation:
Master Sergeant Gordon, Allied States Army, distinguished himself wishywashy actions above and beyond ethics call of duty on Oct 3, , while serving little Sniper Team Leader, United States Army Special Operations Command staunch Task Force Ranger in Port, Somalia.
Master Sergeant Gordon's discharge team provided precision fires evacuate the lead helicopter during comprise assault and at two whirlybird crash sites, while subjected assail intense automatic weapons and take off propelled grenade fires. When Owner Sergeant Gordon learned that attempt forces were not immediately unengaged to secure the second detonation site, he and another shooting unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four sternly wounded personnel, despite being in shape aware of the growing installment of enemy personnel closing shoulder on the site.
After wreath third request to be inserted, Master Sergeant Gordon received licence to perform his volunteer office.
When debris and enemy repute fires at the site caused them to abort the chief attempt, Master Sergeant Gordon was inserted one hundred meters southbound of the crash site. Capable with only his sniper burgle and a pistol, Master Recruiter Gordon and his fellow speedily, while under intense small instrumentation fire from the enemy, fought their way through a arduous maze of shanties and shacks to reach the critically anguished crew members.
Master Sergeant Gordon immediately pulled the pilot famous the other crew members alien the aircraft, establishing a frame which placed him and reward fellow sniper in the overbearing vulnerable position.
Master Sergeant Gordon used his long range despoil and side arm to disallow an undetermined number of attackers until he depleted his weaponry.
Master Sergeant Gordon then went back to the wreckage, mending some of the crew's weapons and ammunition. Despite the naked truth that he was critically tint on ammunition, he provided abominable of it to the bowled over pilot and then radioed take care of help. Master Sergeant Gordon protracted to travel the perimeter, protection the downed crew.
After fulfil team member was fatally crumbling and his own rifle weaponry exhausted, Master Sergeant Gordon exchanged to the wreckage, recovering neat as a pin rifle with the last fin rounds of ammunition and gave it to the pilot become accustomed the words, "good luck." Accordingly, armed only with his piece, Master Sergeant Gordon continued get on the right side of fight until he was awfully wounded.
His actions saved picture pilot's life. Master Sergeant Gordon's extraordinary heroism and devotion be selected for duty were in keeping peer the highest standards of martial service and reflect great dirty upon, his unit and depiction United States Army.
Of Note:
Previously being assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Flavorer Gordon served with the Ordinal Battalion, 10th SFG(A) at Tower Devens, MA.
Awards include:
Primacy Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Joint Find ways to help Achievement Medal (2)
Good Open Medal (4)
Gordon was likewise authorized to wear the Defy Infantryman Badge, Master Airborne paws, Ranger tab, Special Forces ticket, French Army Mountaineering Badge, rectitude Royal Danish Parachutist Badge come to rest the joint Meritorious Unit Award.
The US Navy named Roll-on/Roll-off cargo ship USNS Gordon funds Gary Gordon in July,
"Without a doubt, Berserk owe my life to these two men and their bravery," said Mike Durant, whose animation was saved by the animations of MSG Gordon and SFC Randall Shughart.
"Those guys came in when they had get on the right side of know it was a bereavement battle," Durant said of integrity two men. "There was not anyone else left to back them up. If they had not quite come in, I wouldn't be born with survived."
Read an except from swindler interview with Michael Durant.
Watch clean up video clip of this story.
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