SSgt Dean Conner

Staff Sergeant Dean Conner is a Combat Controller and Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), an expert at the direction and control of close air support (CAS). In October 2007, Sergeant Conner was attached to one of several Special Forces teams operating in a volatile region of Afghanistan.

Sergeant Conner’s team was conducting a routine vehicle patrol when his convoy was ambushed. A rocket–propelled grenade struck his vehicle and knocked him temporarily unconscious. After he recovered, he returned fire with his M-240 machine gun, regained the advantage, and prevented the convoy from being flanked. He also promptly requested CAS to allow the remaining vehicles to clear the zone.

Ten days later, Sergeant Conner was once again performing JTAC duties when his Special Forces team came under heavy fire. Sergeant Conner immediately coordinated with the ground force commander and requested CAS. He directed a flight of F-15Es onto their first target. As the F-15Es were engaging the first target, Conner was hit in the abdomen by enemy gunfire. In spite of his wounds, and refusing any pain medication that could affect his mental acuity, he coordinated with the flight lead to press their attacks on enemy combatants and protect his

team. He continued coordinating CAS missions for 45 minutes until his team was safe and he was able to call for his own medical evacuation airlift. 

For his gallant actions and devotion to duty, Sergeant Conner was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor and the Purple Heart.