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Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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War on Terrorism (Afghanistan) - U.S. Navy

Britt Kelly Slabinski

Details
  • Rank: Senior Chief (Highest Rank: Master Chief)
  • Conflict/Era: War on Terrorism (Afghanistan)
  • Unit/Command:
    U.S. Navy SEALS
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: March 4, 2002
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Takur Ghar, Afghanistan
Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while assigned to a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In the early morning of 4 March 2002, Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Slabinski led a reconnaissance team to its assigned area atop a 10,000-foot snow-covered mountain. Their insertion helicopter was suddenly riddled with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire from previously undetected enemy positions. The crippled helicopter lurched violently and ejected one teammate onto the mountain before the pilots were forced to crash land in the valley far below. Senior Chief Slabinski boldly rallied his five remaining team members and marshalled supporting assets for an assault to rescue their stranded teammate. During reinsertion the team came under fire from three directions, and one teammate started moving uphill toward an enemy strongpoint. Without regard for his own safety, Senior Chief Slabinski charged directly toward enemy fire to join his teammate. Together, they fearlessly assaulted and cleared the first bunker they encountered. The enemy then unleashed a hail of machine gun fire from a second hardened position only twenty meters away. Senior Chief Slabinski repeatedly exposed himself to deadly fire to personally engage the second enemy bunker and orient his team’s fires in the furious, close-quarters firefight. Proximity made air support impossible, and after several teammates became casualties, the situation became untenable. Senior Chief Slabinski maneuvered his team to a more defensible position, directed air strikes in very close proximity to his team’s position, and requested reinforcements. As daylight approached, accurate enemy mortar fire forced the team further down the sheer mountainside. Senior Chief Slabinski carried a seriously wounded teammate through deep snow and led a difficult trek across precipitous terrain while calling in fire on the enemy, which was engaging the team from the surrounding ridges. Throughout the next 14 hours, Senior Chief Slabinski stabilized the casualties and continued the fight against the enemy until the hill was secured and his team was extracted. By his undaunted courage, bold initiative, leadership, and devotion to duty, Senior Chief Slabinski reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Recipient Britt K. Slabinski
Medal of Honor Recipient Britt K. Slabinski
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: May 24, 2018

    White House presented by President Donald Trump

  • Born: December 1, 1969, Northampton, Hampshire County, MA, United States
 
Videos

Britt Slabinski Reflects on His Medal of Honor Action. Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Danian Douglas, All Hands Magazine, 2018.

Britt Slabinski Reflects on His Medal of Honor Action. Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Danian Douglas, All Hands Magazine, 2018.

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Brothers in Valor: Britt Slabinski. Courtesy of American Battlefield Trust.

Brothers in Valor: Britt Slabinski. Courtesy of American Battlefield Trust.

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