During a ceremony held on March 16, 2012 at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, Sgt. 1st Class Michael A. Eiermann was honored with the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor, in recognition of his heroic actions over two deployments to Afghanistan.
On May 19, 2010, Bagram Airfield came under a coordinated attack by over 20 insurgents, who breached the outer perimeter and targeted multiple guard towers with direct and indirect fire. Having arrived just the night before, Eiermann, a platoon sergeant, quickly ordered his soldiers to arm themselves and find cover as tracer rounds and rocket-propelled grenades whizzed by.
Amid the chaos, calls for a medic came from the inner security perimeter, where a soldier had stepped on a land mine. Eiermann, accompanied by his medic, navigated through an active minefield under heavy enemy fire to reach the casualties. Despite the constant threat, he repeatedly entered the minefield to retrieve litters and ensure the wounded were safely evacuated. His selfless actions, which he modestly described as simply doing his duty, were instrumental in saving lives that day.
Michael A. Eiermann
HOME OF RECORD:
Constantinople, New York
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Global War on Terror
Service: Army
Battalion: 1st Battalion
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
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 Sergeant First Class Michael A. Eiermann, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 19 May 2010 during combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States as a Platoon Sergeant for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
During a coordinated attack involving multiple insurgent fighters and countless rounds of indirect fire, Sergeant Eiermann, with total disregard for his own personal safety, entered a known minefield in order to extract two critically wounded Soldiers. His actions undoubtedly aided in saving their lives amidst a complex enemy attack. Sergeant First Class Eiermann's distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: Sergeant First Class Michael A. Eiermann distinguished himself by exceptionally heroic gallantry as a Ranger Platoon Sergeant on May 19 2010, while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Sergeant First Class Eiermann was assigned to a Joint Task Force whose mission is to capture or kill terrorists. Sergeant First Class Eiermann's heroic actions under direct and indirect enemy fire during a complex and coordinated enemy attack on Bagram Airfield undoubtedly saved the lives of two critically wounded Soldiers by orchestrating their successful casualty evacuation from a known, active minefield.
On May 19, 2010, Bagram Airfield was attacked with effective direct and indirect fire from over 20 armed insurgent fighters. After breaching the outer perimeter of BAF's defenses, the platoon-sized element of enemy fighters initiated a coordinated attack against multiple friendly guard towers and observation points. In an attempt to maneuver against the attacking enemy, a friendly element suffered two critical casualties as a result of an anti-personnel mine located in an active minefield immediately bordering the inner perimeter of BAF.
At the initiation of the attack, Sergeant First Class Eiermann, located within the walls of the compound, witnessed tracer rounds and rocket-propelled grenades flying over his position. Sergeant First Class Eiermann immediately instructed his men to retrieve their weapons and seek cover, while simultaneously doing the same. As the engagement continued, a large explosion was heard, and Soldiers positioned on the inner walls of BAF's security perimeter began calling for a Medic. Reacting to calls for a Medic, Sergeant First Class Eiermann located one of his Platoon Medics and initiated movement through the known, active minefield in order to provide medical treatment for the two wounded Soldiers.
After moving through an active minefield under continued enemy small arms, machine gun, and rocket-propelled grenade fire, Sergeant First Class Eiermann directed and coordinated the treatment of the two critically wounded Soldiers. Without regard for his own personal safety, Sergeant First Class Eiermann led his Medic through minefield, clearing the route to the casualties with his footsteps. Sergeant First Class Eiermann continued to expose himself to sporadic direct and indirect enemy fire by making multiple trips through the minefield in order retrieve litters for the two friendly casualties.
Once the casualties had received their initial on-site treatment, Sergeant First Class Eiermann and his platoon medic moved the casualties through the route Sergeant First Class Eiermann had previously cleared to the compound. From there, the casualties were loaded into an awaiting ambulance for more advanced medical care. It was not until his platoon medic and the two casualties were evacuated to safety that Sergeant First Class Eiermann returned to cover. After evacuating all casualties, Sergeant First Class Eiermann continued to lead and provide guidance for his men throughout the remainder of the enemy engagement.
Without Sergeant First Class Eiermann's heroic orchestration of the successful casualty evacuation while under effective direct and indirect enemy fire within a known, active minefield, two wounded soldiers would have undoubtedly sustained additional injuries from enemy fire or possibly succumbed to their severe wounds. Sergeant First Class Michael A. Eiermann's bravery under fire, courageous actions, and dedication to his fellow Soldiers were exemplary. He is most deserving of the special recognition afforded by the awarding of the Silver Star Medal. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Sergeant First Class Michael A. Eiermann's actions and leadership reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
PHOTO CREDITS PFC. JONATHAN REYES
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
Command Sergeant Major Michael Eiremann Retirement