Staff Sergeant Christopher Ferrell
755th Air Expeditionary Group, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Leader

Staff Sergeant Christopher Ferrell, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Craftsman, deployed to Afghanistan and served as a team leader for the 755th Air Expeditionary Group. His primary duties included the exploitation, destruction, and rendering safe of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

During one challenging mission, the lead vehicle in Sergeant Ferrell’s group discovered an IED in a gutter while clearing a highway. After assessing the situation, Sergeant Ferrell determined the route to the IED was too deep and too narrow to send in a robot or to wear a protective bomb suit. As a result, Sergeant Ferrell volunteered to proceed to the IED wearing only his body armor and night vision goggles for protection. His quick and decisive action enabled the successful placement of a clearing charge and prevented Coalition forces, as well as Afghan civilians, from being killed or injured.

On another occasion, Sergeant Ferrell’s convoy was struck by a lethal IED during a route clearance operation, causing numerous Coalition casualties. In the aftermath of the explosion, Sergeant Ferrell cleared the area of secondary devices and began combat lifesaving procedures on wounded Coalition forces. Despite Sergeant Ferrell’s efforts, a friend’s life was lost. Without hesitation, however, Sergeant Ferrell worked to prepare his fallen comrade’s body for transport and conducted a post-blast analysis. Sergeant Ferrell’s professionalism and dedication in the midst of great tragedy undoubtedly prevented future Coalition casualties.

For his brave actions, Sergeant Ferrell was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.