THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR VALOR
TO
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS DERRICK G. BURDICK
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Sergeant First Class Derrick Burdick, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous acts of bravery in the face of the enemy of the United States while serving as Assistant Convoy Commander for the U.S. Army Logistics Support Team for Forward Operating Base Tombstone, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Silver from 8 April to 14 April 2007.
On 10 April 2007, SFC Burdick distinguished himself during a combined coalition, nineteen truck mounted combat patrol returning from Forward Operating Base Robinson in the northern Sangin Valley. At approximately 0740L, the lead convoy vehicle struck a concealed anti-tank mine on Route 611, resulting in catastrophic destruction of the front end of the Up-Armored HMMWV (UAH). After reports came over the radio that the driver sustained a compound fracture to his right leg with heavy bleeding, was pinned in the truck, and that medical evacuation was necessary, SFC Burdick immediately began moving his UAH towards the front of the convoy to assist in site security, establishment of the MEDEVAC LZ, and casualty extraction. SFC Burdick directed all truck gunners to maintain sector security in the event the convoy came under direct fire attack from ACM forces from the surrounding ridgelines. With complete disregard for his own safety, SFC Burdick dismounted his truck to move closer to the scene, and to begin marking a clear lane to transport the casualty to the LZ site. As his truck moved forward on the road, it struck a mine throwing rocks, debris, and shrapnel into the surrounding area and wounding SFC Burdick. He immediately checked the status of his truck occupants then returned to the lead damaged truck to assist moving the wounded U.S. Soldier to a nearby stretcher in preparation for the MEDEVAC. While under exposure and threat from direct fire attack from positively identified ACM forces in a village to the west of the convoy, SFC Burdick helped move the injured Soldier to a covered position out of the kill zone while other LST Soldiers and members of the Afghan National Army assisted in providing security and clearing an area west of the road for the MEDEVAC LZ. Once the wounded U.S. Soldier was safely evacuated from the site, SFC Burdick assisted in orchestrating the convoy reconsolidation and reorganization process in preparation for the convoy’s return movement back to FOB Robinson. At approximately 1145L during movement back to FOB Robinson an ANA 7-Ton truck near the front of the convoy struck a mine, sustaining a catastrophic kill; the convoy came under immediate, direct enemy small arms fire and SFC Burdick dismounted his truck to direct and lay suppressive M4 and M203 fire onto the western ridgeline. ANA Soldiers dismounted their vehicles, chased suspected insurgents into a nearby poppy field to the east, and later emerged with 8 detainees. Still exposed to potential ACM force direct fire, SFC Burdick assisted in processing the detainees for extraction back to FOB Robinson. The convoy ultimately returned to FOB Robinson without further incident. In no small part to his personal courage, leadership, and exceptional tactical abilities, no other casualties occurred during the safe MEDEVAC extraction, troops in contact incident, and safe convoy. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military bravery and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan, U.S. Army Central Command, and the United States Army. |