The President of the United States of America, authorized by Congress, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Harrison J. Meyer, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Medical Aidman in Company D, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 26 November 2004, in Iraq.

Private First Class Meyer’s disregard for his own safety and courage under enemy machine gun fire saved the lives of five soldiers. His valorous actions are in keeping with the highest standards of selfless service and reflect great credit upon himself, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, Multi-National Corps Iraq, and the United States Army.

Further narrative includes: Members of Meyer’s unit were in the 20th hour of a patrol extended by numerous clashes with insurgents in Ramadi. They’d just taken up post in an abandoned building in the Mula’ab district when a soldier was hit by sniper fire. Meyer, a medic, rushed up the stairs and treated a gunshot wound to the chest of the soldier, who later died.

The platoon moved out of the building to find the sniper. As they sprinted across the street toward the sniper’s perch, heavy machine-gun fire raked the patrol. Four soldiers were hit in the legs, stuck wounded in the open street. Meyer himself had been shot in the calf and lower abdomen.

Ignoring his wounds and without orders, Meyer ran out to try to move his wounded colleagues to safety. The report reads: “Placing himself between the wounded soldiers and the enemy, he was struck multiple times and was mortally wounded.” While this was happening, other soldiers moved into better positions and drove away insurgents. When the shooting stopped, the wounded soldiers were recovered. Meyer was credited with saving the lives of five members of his platoon.

Harrison Meyer, 20, was born in Columbus and entered the service from Worthington, Ohio.