Captain David Golden: Battalion Electronic Warfare Officer 

Captain David Golden deployed to Afghanistan to maintain counter-radio controlled improvised explosive device (RCIED) electronic warfare equipment on more than 250 vehicles traversing an area the size of Delaware.

With intermittent weather and limited helicopter assets, Captain Golden found himself traveling outside the wire, in ground convoys to properly maintain combat-capable vehicles. Enemy ambushes and IEDs became a common occurrence. During one convoy, with Captain Golden manning his vehicle’s M-240 crew-serviced weapon, the convoy was ambushed. He immediately returned fire but quickly ran out of ammunition. Switching between multiple weapons, he continued to provide protective fire. During the engagement, an armor-piercing incendiary round struck Captain Golden’s vehicle, barely missing him.

On a separate mission to replace two antennas damaged by an earlier attack, Captain Golden and his team were once again engaged by the enemy. During the ensuing firefight, he was struck in the forehead by 107mm rocket shrapnel. Immediately, he noticed other members of his squad were severely wounded. Despite his head wound, Captain Golden performed life-saving techniques on the wounded, placing a tourniquet on one soldier’s arm above a deep gash. Only after the soldier was moved to the casualty collection point did Captain Golden accept medical aid. Once treated, Captain Golden was back on his feet, helping the wounded to the first medical evacuation helicopter before accepting a seat on the second helicopter.

Captain Golden returned to duty, finished his tour, and knew that on his watch, none of the vehicles he managed were struck by RCIEDs.