Family accepts Soldier's Silver Star
By Pfc. Benjamin Watson, 49th PAD (Abn.)
FORT BRAGG, N.C.(USASOC News Service, Sept. 10, 2008) – The widow
of a Special Forces Soldier with the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces
Group (Airborne), accepted her fallen husband’s Silver Star Medal
during a ceremony Sept. 9 near the unit’s headquarters.
Gisela and Dalia Munoz, surviving wife and daughter of Sgt. 1st Class
Pedro A. Munoz, participated in the ceremony honoring his sacrifice on
Jan. 2, 2005, when he was fatally wounded at Shindand, Afghanistan, in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Munoz was previously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor
device; however, the award was recently upgraded to the Silver Star.
The ceremony recognizing the upgrade was held in a commemorative rock
garden designed by his daughter.
While clearing a compound
in pursuit of a mid-level Taliban commander, a Taliban fighter opened
fire from inside a room containing women and children, said Col. Mark
J. Gorton, deputy commander of 7th SFG(A). Although he was wounded,
Munoz returned fire and killed the Taliban fighter, enabling those in
his detachment to proceed in clearing the building.
“Sergeant First Class Munoz continued to support his detachment,”
Gorton said, “firing selectively, engaging only armed combatants
without harming any non-combatants. His dedication and his courage are
evident through his actions: protecting innocent life, staying in the
fight without thought for himself while supporting his
teammates—allowing them to successfully accomplish their mission.”
Munoz entered the Army in February 1986 as an automated logistical
specialist. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course
in 1990 and was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Soon after assignment, he deployed in support of Operations Desert
Shield and Desert Storm. He later deployed to Haiti for seven months in
1994 in support of Operation Uphold Democracy.
In 1999, he was assigned to the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden
Knights. After completing over 300 static-line and 4,000 free-fall
parachute jumps, Munoz returned to the Special Forces community in
2002, serving with the 7th SFG(A).
“You look at a picture of Munoz,” said Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner,
commander of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, “and you see a
47-year-old senior Soldier who has served our nation with extraordinary
honor, distinction, pride and accomplishment. I suspect that some of
the things that he’s most proud of are his wife and his daughter, two
incredible people who have served our nation.”
Over the course of his career as a Soldier, Munoz received the Silver
Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious
Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal,
the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed
Forces Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the
Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army
Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Kuwait Liberation
Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge with 2nd Award Star, the Special
Forces Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge and the Master Military Free
Fall Badge.
