A Fort Bragg airman will become one of just three Air Force members to receive two Silver Stars during a ceremony this week.
Master Sgt. Thomas E. Case, an 18th Air Support Operations Group, Tactical Air Control Party member, will receive his second Silver Star during a ceremony Thursday at Pope Field. The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration.
The award will be presented to Case for his actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on July 16 and 17, 2009. He is credited with directing combat aircraft engaged in close air support for a joint task force.
He received his first Silver Star for actions during the Global War on Terror from March 31 through April 5, 2003, according to the citation.
In that fight, Case was a staff sergeant for Company B, 3rd Ranger Battalion in Iraq, tasked with directing combat aircraft. His company had been receiving heavy direct and effective small-arms fire, anti-aircraft cannons, rocket propelled grenades, mortar and artillery fire.
The situation was bleak as the small force was in danger of being overrun, but Case acted quickly, according to the citation.
He directed airstrikes while simultaneously firing his personal weapon, often within 30 meters of his position.
After a three-day fire fight, the unit began receiving heavy and accurate artillery fire. More than 300 rounds of artillery had been fired within eight hours, according to the citation.
Case exposed himself to the attack to control close air support while fragments of concrete and shrapnel from the blasts punctured his rucksack and knocked him to the ground. The actions were made with disregard for his own safety, according to the citation.
At one point in the firefight, Case controlled 14 aircraft.
He was responsible for more than 300 enemy casualties and the destruction of 29 tanks, three heavy cargo trucks, nine automatic anti-aircraft guns, 14 anti-aircraft pieces, nine 155 mm artillery, 22 82 mm mortars, six 60 mm mortars, eight ammunition caches and 10 enemy boats, according to the citation.
His situational awareness, skill as a controller, and courage under fire were decisive in the battle and ensured mission success and safety of 152 Rangers in that fight, according to the citation.
