HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — According to the special forces media outlet Shadowspear, Capt. Matthew R. Roland will be posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal, the nation’s third-highest valorous combat decoration, for actions taken before his death Aug. 26, 2015, in Afghanistan. He was a a Special Tactics officer assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron.
“America lost a true patriot who loved his family, his teammates and his country,” said retired Col. Mark Roland, father of Matthew. “We are honored that his legacy will be remembered with this medal, but Matt’s sacrifice will always be a reminder of freedom’s costs.”
Roland’s last act was one of selflessness that saved the lives of those in a convoy he was leading in Afghanistan. He was leading a team of U.S. Special Forces when he noticed two Afghan National Defense and Security Forces seconds before they opened fire. He alerted the convoy which saved their lives at the cost of his own.
According to the U.S. Army, “the Silver Star medal is presented for gallantry in action against an enemy of the U.S. More than 70 Silver Star medals have been presented to Airmen since 9/11, with 35 of those presented to Special Tactics Airmen.”
The full original story can be read on Shadowspear‘s website here.
(H/T Shadowspear)
June 3rd, 2016