CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM - SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA - AFGHANISTAN

EVAN P. JONES

Senior Airman Evan P. Jones distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as Combat Controller, 22d Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, Special Operations Command Central on 2 September 2008.

On that date, while on vehicular combat patrol in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Airman Jones and his Coalition Special Forces team were attacked by anti-Afghanistan forces using accurate mortars, small-arms, heavy weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Despite suffering immediate wounds to his shoulder and hand, Airman Jones returned fire while simultaneously orchestrating close air support to deter the enemy's aggressive advance and eliminate hostile fire directed at his teammates.

SrA Jones with close-air support overhead, Airman Jones repeatedly exposed himself to accurate enemy fire as he maneuvered from vehicle to vehicle to coordinate the destruction of insurgent fighting positions. When a rocket-propelled grenade exploded danger-close projecting shrapnel into his legs, Airman Jones ignored his wounds and continued to direct air support for the next hour, enabling his team to fight through a gauntlet of 20 enemy fighting positions. After the team returned to their remote fire base, Airman Jones refused medical treatment in order to coordinate an urgent medical evacuation of a wounded soldier and continued to engage a regrouping enemy surging towards the base.

With incredible battle space awareness and utmost determination, he exploited airborne assets to identify another insurgent ambush against another smaller friendly patrol, and then directed an airstrike against the enemy forces preparing to ambush the six-man squad. Throughout the battle, Airman Jones' remarkable professional skill and heroic actions saved the lives of 60 of his comrades.

By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Airman Jones has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.