bobdina
05-29-2010, 06:13 PM
*
Thomas Bostick
* Date of birth: December 8, 1969
* Date of death: July 27, 2007
* Home of record: Llano, Texas
* Status: KIA
*
Awards and Citations
1.
Silver Star
See more recipients of this award
Awarded posthumously for actions during the Global War on Terror
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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) Thomas Bostick, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism under enemy fire while serving with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, during combat operations on 27 July 2007, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM VII, near Saret Koleh, Afghanistan. Major Bostick's leadership, courage under fire, and ultimate sacrifice in defense of his men saved the lives of the soldiers in his command post and that of many in his cavalry troop. His remarkable courage and valor reflect great credit upon himself, B Troop, Task Force SABER, Combined Task Force Bayonet, CJTF-82, and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: For extraordinary heroism during military operations against a hostile force in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, on 27 July 2007. Major Bostick, while in command of B Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry (Airborne), and without regard to his own personal safety, placed himself in front of an overwhelming enemy force to provide covering fire to enable the Paratroopers in his command post to displace to more defensible terrain. He willingly sacrificed his life so they could live. Major Bostick skillfully arrayed his forces throughout the battlespace. His keen insight in selecting positions for his observation posts enabled his Troop to defeat a numerically superior force that occupied a series of positions on dominating terrain overlooking MSR STETSON. Major Bostick received a report from the Afghan National Army Soldiers that a large force of 100 fighters was moving from the east to his position. As his lead elements moved into position, one of his observation posts in depth began to take small arms fire. He employed direct fires, indirect fires, and close air support flawlessly to defeat that attack. Major Bostick maneuvered his quick reaction force forward to conduct operations to recover 3 casualties and evacuate them to the MEDEVAC HLZ. After a lull in the battle, the enemy reinforced their attack on Major Bostick's forward positions, engaging from three different locations. Once Again, Major Bostick employed direct and indirect fires in combination with CAS with exceptional skill, silencing several enemy positions and enabling his lead platoon to maneuver to better defensive positions. As the fire increased in accuracy and volume on his own position, Major Bostick directed his C2 element to displace. Located on a steep slope above the road, his position began to take well-aimed, effective fire. As the fire intensified, his JTAC and RTO assisted the other elements of his CP negotiating the loose surface on the side of the mountain. Major Bostick positioned himself directly between those Soldiers and the enemy, shielding them from the rounds while firing his personal weapon to cover their move. During this action his position was engaged with overwhelming small arms and RPG fire that took his life. His actions provided his small element those precious few seconds necessary to gain their footing and negotiate the steep terrain in order to seek cover and survive the attack. Major Bostick's quick decisions to reposition forces, expert use of CAS and indirect fire, and final sacrifice to provide covering fire for his command post enabled B Troop to break the enemy attack inflicting severe punishment on a numerically superior enemy force. Major Bostick's extraordinary gallantry in placing himself in mortal danger against heavy and accurate enemy fire saved the lives of his command post and proved decisive in the protection of his Troop. His combat leadership, which led to the success of B Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry (Airborne), Task Force SABER, Combined Task Force Bayonet, and CJTV-82, in Afghanistan, will serve as a timeless example of heroism under fire.
Action Date: July 27,2007
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Company: Troop B, 1st Squadron
Regiment: 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 173d Airborne Brigade
Thomas Bostick
* Date of birth: December 8, 1969
* Date of death: July 27, 2007
* Home of record: Llano, Texas
* Status: KIA
*
Awards and Citations
1.
Silver Star
See more recipients of this award
Awarded posthumously for actions during the Global War on Terror
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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) Thomas Bostick, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism under enemy fire while serving with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, during combat operations on 27 July 2007, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM VII, near Saret Koleh, Afghanistan. Major Bostick's leadership, courage under fire, and ultimate sacrifice in defense of his men saved the lives of the soldiers in his command post and that of many in his cavalry troop. His remarkable courage and valor reflect great credit upon himself, B Troop, Task Force SABER, Combined Task Force Bayonet, CJTF-82, and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: For extraordinary heroism during military operations against a hostile force in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, on 27 July 2007. Major Bostick, while in command of B Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry (Airborne), and without regard to his own personal safety, placed himself in front of an overwhelming enemy force to provide covering fire to enable the Paratroopers in his command post to displace to more defensible terrain. He willingly sacrificed his life so they could live. Major Bostick skillfully arrayed his forces throughout the battlespace. His keen insight in selecting positions for his observation posts enabled his Troop to defeat a numerically superior force that occupied a series of positions on dominating terrain overlooking MSR STETSON. Major Bostick received a report from the Afghan National Army Soldiers that a large force of 100 fighters was moving from the east to his position. As his lead elements moved into position, one of his observation posts in depth began to take small arms fire. He employed direct fires, indirect fires, and close air support flawlessly to defeat that attack. Major Bostick maneuvered his quick reaction force forward to conduct operations to recover 3 casualties and evacuate them to the MEDEVAC HLZ. After a lull in the battle, the enemy reinforced their attack on Major Bostick's forward positions, engaging from three different locations. Once Again, Major Bostick employed direct and indirect fires in combination with CAS with exceptional skill, silencing several enemy positions and enabling his lead platoon to maneuver to better defensive positions. As the fire increased in accuracy and volume on his own position, Major Bostick directed his C2 element to displace. Located on a steep slope above the road, his position began to take well-aimed, effective fire. As the fire intensified, his JTAC and RTO assisted the other elements of his CP negotiating the loose surface on the side of the mountain. Major Bostick positioned himself directly between those Soldiers and the enemy, shielding them from the rounds while firing his personal weapon to cover their move. During this action his position was engaged with overwhelming small arms and RPG fire that took his life. His actions provided his small element those precious few seconds necessary to gain their footing and negotiate the steep terrain in order to seek cover and survive the attack. Major Bostick's quick decisions to reposition forces, expert use of CAS and indirect fire, and final sacrifice to provide covering fire for his command post enabled B Troop to break the enemy attack inflicting severe punishment on a numerically superior enemy force. Major Bostick's extraordinary gallantry in placing himself in mortal danger against heavy and accurate enemy fire saved the lives of his command post and proved decisive in the protection of his Troop. His combat leadership, which led to the success of B Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry (Airborne), Task Force SABER, Combined Task Force Bayonet, and CJTV-82, in Afghanistan, will serve as a timeless example of heroism under fire.
Action Date: July 27,2007
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Company: Troop B, 1st Squadron
Regiment: 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 173d Airborne Brigade