AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR MEDAL TO
SFC WILLIAM C. TOMLIN, III
For Gallantry In Action - 9 April 2007

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 Sergeant First Class William Charles Tomlin, III, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING Freedom, on 9 April 2007, in Afghanistan.

   On that date, Sergeant First Class Tomlin distinguishing himself through acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life in action against an enemy force which outnumbered his own by six-to-one. Near the town of Chakak, Helmand, Afghanistan, Sergeant First Class Tomlin was acting as the Scout Platoon Leader on the seventh day of intense independent combat operations during Operation FURIOUS PURSUIT, when the scout platoon encountered an enemy force who quickly attempted [to] envelope them by maneuver and combined arms operations, including mortars, accurate RPG fire, heavy weapons and AK-47s in a pitched battle that lasted six hours.

   During the engagement, Sergeant First Class Tomlin personally led several dismounted counterattacks against enemy forces that had closed to within 30 meters of his position.

   He simultaneously coordinated the effects of heavy mortars within 50 meters of his position, heavy weapons, and CAS within 150 meters of friendly troops. By using expert call for fire techniques, hand grenades and his own personal weapon, he was able to not only defend his position, but later organize the reinforcements of four separate units to destroy between 30 - 50 soldiers and kill two key Taliban leaders in the Sangin area.

   Sergeant First Class Tomlin's personal example and bravery under fire was the key component to turning a dire situation into a complete victory for the task force on this day.

   His exceptional bravery, example to his soldiers in the face of a dedicated Taliban force, and personal leadership has set the example for the 82d Airborne Division, and is in keeping with the highest tradition of military service.

"I would say we were pretty lucky"

SALUTING SGT-1ST CLASS WILLIAM C TOMLIN, III

VALOR Selfless courage at the moment of truth
By Tim Holbert Stephens Media LLC 2009

   Sgt. 1st Class William Tomlin III was exhausted and severely dehydrated. Up against an enemy force of 300, the 45 soldiers of his scout platoon had been battling for nearly six hours in temperatures reaching almost 120 degrees near the village of Chakak, Afghanistan.
   And now the enemy forces had closed within 50 feet of his position.
   Tomlin's platoon was part of Operation Furious Pursuit, in which 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division and had been called upon to clear Taliban forces in Helmand province. Two British forward operating bases had come under siege, and it was the battalions job to provide relief and restore security to the area.
   Tomlin's unit already had been periodically engaged in combat for three days.
   On the morning of April 9, 2007, it was assigned a reconnaissance mission in Chakak. Platoon leader Tomlin quickly ordered his men to set up a secure perimeter upon their arrival.
   We had started going around to the houses closest to us to clear them, and we noticed that there wasn't anybody inside, Tomlin recalled. That's pretty common if you are about to be engaged.
So I took a sniper team and I set them up so they could start getting their eyes away from the main element
  Pretty much as soon as they got into position, the main element started receiving machine-gun and RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) fire. The ambush, by a force six times the platoons size, came hard and forced him to withdraw the snipers.
   Meanwhile, enemy fighters moved up a nearby alley directly in front of his position. Recognizing the danger, Tomlin went into action.
   "I realized just how close they were, and at 15 meters, it was anybody's game," he said, pointing out that the Americans advantage in training and equipment was largely negated in close battle. "I knew we had to get out of that situation. We were able to push them back down the alley with hand grenades and small-arms fire, and then we chased them down the hill into the village."
   In the midst of leading the counterattack, Tomlin radioed for air support and directed reinforcements to protect his flank. Turning the tide of the battle, Tomlin's men pressed forward, driving the enemy fighters from the village until the platoon began to run low on ammunition, forcing it to break contact. What kept me going was the constant threat, said Tomlin, who received his Silver Star in March 2008 from President Bush. "I pretty much knew that we had to stay active." Otherwise, his small force would be quickly overrun.
   In the end, his platoon killed nearly 50 fighters and two Taliban leaders. No Americans died in the battle.
   "I would say we were pretty lucky", he said, "and I have always said that I would rather be lucky than good."

[Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Hilo, HI, 28 Dec 2009, Mon, Page 5]

President George W. Bush pins Silver Star On SFC Tomlin

ABOUT TOMLIN

   "I first came on active duty in 1998. I had been simultaneously going to college and serving in the National Guard to help pay for college. When I was getting ready to graduate, I didn't really feel like I was ready to join corporate America yet, so I decided to join the active-duty Army. I told myself it would just be for three years, just to go for a little bit of fun and adventure, and it turned out that I really liked it, so I decided to stick around for a while."