Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Bray, a combat controller, was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his part in the Battle of Mogadishu, A.K.A. "Black Hawk Down." Bray coordinated helicopter gunship air strikes throughout the night of Oct. 3-4, developing tactics on the spot to protect his Ranger teammates, who were surrounded by Somali fighters. Unfortunately, Bray passed away this October (2016) at 49 years old. Read about his heroics here:
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While attached to an elite Army Special Operations unit conducting combat operations in support of Task Force Ranger, Bray took part in an integrated ground assault undertaken to support United Nations Operations in Somalia II. While subjecting himself to a steady stream of enemy fire, Bray provided expert surgical fire direction of overhead helicopter gunships to eliminate an enemy militia force that was threatening the friendly assault force.
In response to the downing of a U.S. UH-60 assault helicopter, Bray, while exposing himself repeatedly to enemy fire, developed an ingenious perimeter marking system and called in deadly surgical fire support against concealed enemy targets. He labored throughout the night to keep overwhelming enemy forces at bay until friendly forces could be reached by a United Nations armed relief convoy. On several occasions he expertly coordinated air support less than 15 meters from his position with no concern for his personal safety.
Bray's efforts were paramount in the limitation of casualties and the safe evacuation of all U.S. soldiers in an intense 18-hour long fire fight.
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While attached to an elite Army Special Operations unit conducting combat operations in support of Task Force Ranger, Bray took part in an integrated ground assault undertaken to support United Nations Operations in Somalia II. While subjecting himself to a steady stream of enemy fire, Bray provided expert surgical fire direction of overhead helicopter gunships to eliminate an enemy militia force that was threatening the friendly assault force.
In response to the downing of a U.S. UH-60 assault helicopter, Bray, while exposing himself repeatedly to enemy fire, developed an ingenious perimeter marking system and called in deadly surgical fire support against concealed enemy targets. He labored throughout the night to keep overwhelming enemy forces at bay until friendly forces could be reached by a United Nations armed relief convoy. On several occasions he expertly coordinated air support less than 15 meters from his position with no concern for his personal safety.
Bray's efforts were paramount in the limitation of casualties and the safe evacuation of all U.S. soldiers in an intense 18-hour long fire fight.
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Bray, a combat controller, was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his part in the Battle of Mogadishu, A.K.A. "Black Hawk Down." Bray coordinated helicopter gunship air strikes throughout the night of Oct. 3-4, developing tactics on the spot to protect his Ranger teammates, who were surrounded by Somali fighters. Unfortunately, Bray passed away this October (2016) at 49 years old. Read about his heroics here:
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While attached to an elite Army Special Operations unit conducting combat operations in support of Task Force Ranger, Bray took part in an integrated ground assault undertaken to support United Nations Operations in Somalia II. While subjecting himself to a steady stream of enemy fire, Bray provided expert surgical fire direction of overhead helicopter gunships to eliminate an enemy militia force that was threatening the friendly assault force.
In response to the downing of a U.S. UH-60 assault helicopter, Bray, while exposing himself repeatedly to enemy fire, developed an ingenious perimeter marking system and called in deadly surgical fire support against concealed enemy targets. He labored throughout the night to keep overwhelming enemy forces at bay until friendly forces could be reached by a United Nations armed relief convoy. On several occasions he expertly coordinated air support less than 15 meters from his position with no concern for his personal safety.
Bray's efforts were paramount in the limitation of casualties and the safe evacuation of all U.S. soldiers in an intense 18-hour long fire fight.
