O'CONNOR-MATTHEW

SILVER  STAR  RECIPIENT

Excerpts from article published in San Diego Union-Tribune on 2/15/2020:

EODC Matthew O’Connor, an EOD chief assigned to Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit 11, was awarded the Silver Star Medal during a ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma on February 13, 2020.  It is the third-highest award in the Navy for bravery in combat.  Chief O’Connor was deployed to Iraq with a special operations task force in April 2019.  His team entered an enemy-held village and came under fire.  “After returning fire, Chief O’Connor noticed a teammate wounded on the ground and exposed to the enemy,” the award says.  “With utter disregard for his own safety, Chief O’Connor advanced forward, carried the wounded teammate to cover and then rendered lifesaving medical treatment while coordinating suppressive fire.”  Chief O’Connor again exposed himself to fire to retrieve another wounded person, a U.S. linguist, his award citation says.  “He then carried the first teammate under continuous enemy fire through difficult terrain laden with improvised explosive devices to reach the vehicle pick up location,” the citation says.

Chief O’Connor received his medal from the Commander of the Navy’s Third Fleet, who said, “Chief O’Connor’s courageous actions last April illustrate the combat-credible sailors we have in the U.S. Navy.  He displayed extreme courage and toughness under fire in protecting his teammates and ensuring their safety.  I would be hard-pressed to find a stronger example of honor, courage and commitment than EODC O’Connor.”

O’Connor is originally from Bellingham, Washington, and enlisted in the Navy in 2008.  He reported to his current duty station in November 2017.

Submitted by CDR Roy a. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)