Silver Star Medal Recipient
SrA Adam C. Krueger
Enduring Freedom
May 25, 2010
Afghanistan
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM - SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA - AFGHANISTAN
ADAM C. KRUEGER
Senior Airman Adam C. Krueger, United States Air Force, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States on 25 May 2010.
On that date, Airman Krueger bravely risked his life with complete disregard for personal safety while conducting combat operations with a United States Army Special Forces Team in Afghanistan.
As the team patrolled by foot through the village of Mullah Wazir, an entrenched enemy lay waiting a mere ten meters away to deliver a coordinated lethal ambush on his team. Pinned down, Airman Krueger immediately took decisive action and called in an F-15 strafing run on the enemy within meters of his position. Using the cover fire, his team fought their way through a steady stream of small arms and PKM fire to a compound to establish a strongpoint. As the team reconsolidated, Airman Krueger coordinated a second attack with a Hellfire missile, impacting danger close, allowing a separate pinned down friendly element the opportunity to seek cover.
However, as the team moved across open terrain enemy rounds hit two Soldiers. Recognizing the dire situation, Airman Krueger simultaneously exposed himself to enemy fire and coordinated another air attack while other members of the team moved the wounded to cover. As the medical evacuation helicopter approached, Airman Krueger exposed himself to mark the landing zone and de-conflict airstrikes providing cover fire, enabling the life saving patient evacuation.
During the twelve hour firefight, Airman Krueger annihilated the enemy through judicious employment of deadly airpower, directing nine danger-close air strikes with multiple five hundred and two thousand pound bombs, gun runs, rockets and missiles.
His audacity and tactical prowess were essential in the defeat of the enemy and the survival of his team and other friendly forces that day.
By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Airman Krueger has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.