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EODC Sosa Recieves Silver Star 11 02
1. PRESS RELEASE
NAVY EXPEDITIONAY COMBAT COMMAND
EODGRU ONE
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One Public Affairs Office
2424 Rendova Rd. San Diego, Ca. 92155-5400
(619) 767-1989
(619) 888-0860
Release 11-02
Feb 11, 2011
EOD Chief Awarded Silver Star for Gallantry In Action
By: Lt. David Bennett, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1 Public Affairs
CORONADO, Calif. -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chief Gerardo Sosa, of Garden Grove, Ca.
was awarded the Silver Star Medal Feb. 11 for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action
against the enemy, while serving as ECHO Platoon Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
The Silver Star Medal is the U.S. Navy’s third highest award for gallantry in combat, following
the Navy Cross and the nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor.
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus presented the medal during an awards ceremony
held at Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) ONE, Mission Support Center at Naval
Amphibious Base, Coronado. Among those he recognized were the families.
“Most Americans don’t realize the OPTEMPO [Operational Tempo], they don’t realize how many
times you deploy, and they don’t realize that when you come home, you don’t get to spend that
whole time with your family,” said Mabus. “These [families] are the folks that make the biggest
sacrifice right here. Thank you for your sacrifice.”
Sosa was cited for his heroic actions from Sep. 7- 8, 2009. He was providing over watch for the
clearance of the Malmand Bazaar, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan when his element leader
stepped on a Pressure Plate Improvised Explosive Device (IED), becoming mortally wounded.
Sosa cleared a path to the element leader on his hands and knees allowing the medic to render
aid to the wounded Sailor. Discovering an IED beside the victim, he realized they were trapped
in an active minefield. Sosa continued to probe the area identifying and rendering safe an
additional IED near the victim.
For 200 yards, Sosa cleared a path for his team as they transported their wounded teammate to
safety. His actions enabled their safe extraction from the minefield and unquestionably saved
the life of his wounded teammate.
When asked what he thought about receiving the citation Sosa had this to say.
“It’s an honor to receive this award, but I look at like this. EOD techs are out there every day
doing what I did. EOD are the unsung heroes of these wars,” said Sosa. “We don’t do it for
medals or for recognition, we do what we do to make sure Soldiers and Sailors get back to their
families.”
2. NAVY EXPEDITIONAY COMBAT COMMAND
U.S. Navy EOD enables Special Operations and conventional forces access to denied areas.
Navy EOD technicians and Navy Divers are instrumental in clearing the way for further combat
operations. They render safe all types of ordnance, including conventional, improvised,
chemical, biological and nuclear.
For more news from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1, visit:
www.navy.mil/local/eod1/
www.facebook.com/EODGROUP1
-USN-
![PRESS RELEASE
NAVY EXPEDITIONAY COMBAT COMMAND
EODGRU ONE
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One Public Affairs Office
2424 Rendova Rd. San Diego, Ca. 92155-5400
(619) 767-1989
(619) 888-0860
Release 11-02
Feb 11, 2011
EOD Chief Awarded Silver Star for Gallantry In Action
By: Lt. David Bennett, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1 Public Affairs
CORONADO, Calif. -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chief Gerardo Sosa, of Garden Grove, Ca.
was awarded the Silver Star Medal Feb. 11 for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action
against the enemy, while serving as ECHO Platoon Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
The Silver Star Medal is the U.S. Navy’s third highest award for gallantry in combat, following
the Navy Cross and the nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor.
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus presented the medal during an awards ceremony
held at Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) ONE, Mission Support Center at Naval
Amphibious Base, Coronado. Among those he recognized were the families.
“Most Americans don’t realize the OPTEMPO [Operational Tempo], they don’t realize how many
times you deploy, and they don’t realize that when you come home, you don’t get to spend that
whole time with your family,” said Mabus. “These [families] are the folks that make the biggest
sacrifice right here. Thank you for your sacrifice.”
Sosa was cited for his heroic actions from Sep. 7- 8, 2009. He was providing over watch for the
clearance of the Malmand Bazaar, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan when his element leader
stepped on a Pressure Plate Improvised Explosive Device (IED), becoming mortally wounded.
Sosa cleared a path to the element leader on his hands and knees allowing the medic to render
aid to the wounded Sailor. Discovering an IED beside the victim, he realized they were trapped
in an active minefield. Sosa continued to probe the area identifying and rendering safe an
additional IED near the victim.
For 200 yards, Sosa cleared a path for his team as they transported their wounded teammate to
safety. His actions enabled their safe extraction from the minefield and unquestionably saved
the life of his wounded teammate.
When asked what he thought about receiving the citation Sosa had this to say.
“It’s an honor to receive this award, but I look at like this. EOD techs are out there every day
doing what I did. EOD are the unsung heroes of these wars,” said Sosa. “We don’t do it for
medals or for recognition, we do what we do to make sure Soldiers and Sailors get back to their
families.”](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/eodcsosasilverstar11-02-110211195805-phpapp02/85/EODC-Sosa-Recieves-Silver-Star-11-02-1-320.jpg)
