Staff Sgt. Emmett Spraktes
Company C, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion, California National Guard
Spraktes served as the flight medic for DUSTOFF 24, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry regiment, alongside pilots Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brandon Erdman and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Scott St. Aubin and crew chief Staff Sgt. Thomas Gifford.
On July 17, 2009, the medical evacuation crew responded in support of 3rd Platoon, Company C, 2-12th Infantry in the middle of a complex Taliban ambush in the Watapur Valley in northern Afghanistan.
Spraktes chose to be lowered to the platoon’s position under heavy, effective enemy fire from 150 meters. While on the ground, he treated and removed five injured Soldiers from the firefight, one of which had suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound to the abdomen. Spraktes also provided suppressive gunfire in support of the platoon and redistributed his own ammunition, all while under enemy gunfire.
Spraktes then refused to be hoisted out and chose to remain in the fight to later conduct a dismounted movement out of the area with the platoon in order to continue providing aid and support. It was only after DUSTOFF 24 returned and gave Spraktes a direct order to get into the aircraft that he relented and left the area.
Had it not been for Spraktes’ selfless acts of courage, valor and assumption of risk, 3rd Platoon, Company C, 2-12th Infantry would not have been able to resume the momentum of their fight. Without question, Spraktes and DUSTOFF 24 prevented the loss of Soldiers’ lives.
VIDEO
Silver Star for California Guardsman
Staff Sgt. Timothy F. Nein
617th Military Police Company, Kentucky National Guard
(DSC)
Sgt. 1st Class Joshua D. Betten
Company A, 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, Florida National Guard
Sgt. Russell L. Collier
Battery A, 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery, Arkansas National Guard
Spc. Richard A. Ghent
1st Battalion, 172nd Armor, New Hampshire National Guard
Spc. Jason Harrington
Company A, 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania National Guard
Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester
617th Military Police Company, Kentucky National Guard
1st Lt. Tyler J. Jensen
19th Special Forces Group, Utah National Guard
Spc. Gerrit Kobes
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry, Washington National Guard
Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Lewis
Company A, 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, Florida National Guard
Staff Sgt. Chad Malmberg
Company A, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota National Guard
1st Lt. Michael J. McCarty
Company C, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, 39th Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas National Guard
Lt. Col. Michael E. McLaughlin
Brigade Effects Coordinator, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard
Staff Sgt. Michael J. McMullen
243rd Engineer Company, Maryland National Guard
Spc. Jason L. Mike
617th Military Police Company, Kentucky National Guard
Tech. Sgt. Keary J. Miller
123rd Special Tactics Squadron, Kentucky National Guard
Sgt. Robert S. Pugh
Company A, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry, Mississippi National Guard
Staff Sgt. Joseph Proctor
638th Support Battalion (Aviation) Indiana National Guard
1st Sgt. Kevin K. Remington
957th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 142nd Combat Heavy Engineer Battalion, North Dakota National Guard
Spc. Brian M. Sheetz
Company C, 1st Battalion, 103rd Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard
Staff Sgt. Emmett Spraktes
Company C, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion,California National Guard
Sgt. 1st Class Chad M. Stephens
Company A, 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry, 30th Infantry Brigade, North Carolina National Guard
Capt. John Vanlandingham
1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery, 39th Infantry Brigade, 39th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas National Guard
Sgt. 1st Class Mark A. Wanner
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, Ohio National Guard
Tech. Sgt. Kevin Whalen
Tactical Air Control Party, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, Washington National Guard
Sgt. Matthew Zedwick
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, 41st Brigade Combat Team, Oregon National Guard