23-24JAN2001: As American special operations forces continued their search for al-Qaeda and bin Laden in Afghanistan, one target after another was hit. Having already conducted their fair share of missions, MSG Anthony Pryor and his fellow Soldiers from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces were tasked clearing a site in Oruzgon, just outside of Kandahar. As MSG Pryor and his men approached one of the two target compounds they received enemy fire. Quickly moving through the gunfire to cover, MSG Pryor and his men began clearing rooms, quickly eliminating enemy threats at every turn. As Pryor and a fellow Soldier started to enter a room, an enemy fighter ran out, pulling the attention of Pryor's partner. Now in the room himself, Pryor saw three enemy fighters firing out windows to his men outside. Working methodically, Pryor engaged the three men before a fourth was on his back. The enemy broke his night vision goggles off, dislocated his shoulder, and was clawing at his eyes. Without hesitation, Pryor grabbed the man and threw him to the ground, disabling him quickly in hand to hand combat. As the enemy fighter continued to resist, Pryor pulled his sidearm and eliminated the threat. MSG Pryor recovered his equipment scattered in the fight and returned to his men to continue the mission at hand. The raid resulted in 16 enemy fighters killed, 27 captured and a trove of valuable intelligence. For his actions in single-handedly eliminating four enemy fighters at close range, MSG Anthony Pryor was awarded the Silver Star.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related