Staff Sgt. Linsey Clarke graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and earned his bachelor's degree in economics from James Madison University in 2005. He enlisted in the Army in August 2005 under the 18 X-Ray program. Following basic training at Fort Benning, GA he attended Airborne School, the Special Operations Preparation Course, and then Selection. Staff Sergeant Clarke completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in March 2008 as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant.

Staff Sgt Linsey Clarke awarded Silver Star for heroism

The sky was clear. The air had a bite to it, but for Afghanistan it was a beautiful day, said Clarke.

It was Feb. 20. Clarke was the driver of one of four vehicles conducting a joint operations patrol with members of the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and Czech Special Operation Forces in Khordi, a village in Southern Afghanistan.

In unison, the third vehicle in the convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device and the lead vehicle was engaged by rocket propelled grenades. Each vehicle was taking small arms fire from both the east and west as the patrol was being ambushed.

Clarke immediately backed up his vehicle to assist those who had been struck by the roadside bomb. He dismounted and ran through a volley of fire to discover three of the men inside had been killed instantly. The two remaining teammates were alive, but both were badly wounded.

Clarke found Staff Sgt. Eric Englehardt first. Both his legs were broken and he was bleeding heavily, so Clarke quickly and calmly applied a tourniquet to his right leg and dragged him from the burning vehicle. With no cover, and enemy fire on both sides, Clarke returned to the destroyed vehicle and found Master Sgt. David Hurt. He again dragged his comrade to safety.

With the team’s other medic now tending to the wounded, Clarke volunteered to stay in the firefight to secure the remains of the fallen Soldiers.

Today, even with a Silver Star pinned to his chest, Clarke still doesn’t believe he is a hero.

“It’s something any one of those guys would’ve done for me. There wasn’t a second thought,” he said.

DVIDS
Story by Cpl. Katryn McCalment

CITATION:

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 pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Linsey W. Clarke, United States Army, for gallantry in combat on 20 February 2009, as the Junior Medic, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha – 3123, Special Operations Task Force – 31, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Sergeant Clarke distinguished himself by exposing himself to accurate enemy fire through the course of a medical evacuation. His dedication to duty contributed to the successful defeat of insurgent networks, which enabled the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct unilateral security and stability operations. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Special Operations Task Force – 31, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.

NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: Staff Sergeant Linsey W. Clarke, United States (US) Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the US as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) – 3123, Special Operations Task Force – 31, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 20 February 2009.

While Conducting a joint reconnaissance patrol with forces from the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, and Czech Special Operation Forces the patrol’s rear Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) was struck by a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) completely destroying the vehicle and instantly killing three of the vehicle’s crew members. Simultaneously, the patrol’s lead vehicle was engaged by Rocket Propelled Grenades and the entire patrol began receiving heavy and accurate small arms fire from both the East and the West.

Sergeant Clarke immediately backed up his truck to the burning GMV. He returned fire, and without hesitation or regard for his personal safety, ran through heavy enemy fire to the burning vehicle. Sergeant Clarke found Staff Sergeant Englehardt in the wreckage of the GMV with two broken legs and a fractured back. The burning GMV was loaded with ammunition and explosives that were detonating within inches of Sergeant Clarke. While in grave danger from heavy enemy fire and the destroyed vehicle, he calmly applied a tourniquet to Sergeant Englehardt’s right leg and pulled him away from the IED site.

Sergeant Clarke then ran one hundred meters back through enemy fire with no cover to find Master Sergeant Hurt, burned very badly and lying to the rear of the destroyed vehicle. He immediately assessed his condition then helped him back to the Casualty Collection Point while still receiving accurate fire from the enemy. After loading Master Sergeant Hurt onto GMV2, Sergeant Clarke treated his wounds and prepared him for evacuation.

He passed him off to Staff Sergeant Ford, the ODA’s other medic, and informed him of all treatments rendered. Sergeant Clarke then volunteered to stay and secure the blast site with only two other teammates. With no vehicles to support him and enemy on both sides, Sergeant Clarke left his covered location to reposition the few Afghan National Security Forces that were at the site while continuing to engage the Anti-Afghan Forces (AAF).

He again exposed himself to enemy fire by returning to the destroyed GMV to secure the remains of Staff Sergeant Davis, Staff Sergeant Bessa, and an ODA Interpreter. Sergeant Clarke assisted in securing and moving all remaining casualties and recovered all sensitive material near the scene. He and a few of his teammates secured the site for over one hour with very little support. Had they not, sensitive items and the remains of US service members would likely have fallen into the hand of the AAF.

Sergeant Clarke’s actions on 20 February went well above and beyond the call of duty. He repeatedly faced imminent danger and at no point, did he show any regard for his personal safety. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Special Operations Task Force – 31, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.