Medal of Honor Randy Shughart

sergeant first class shughart, united states army, distinguished himself actions above , beyond call of duty on 3 october 1993, while serving sniper team member, united states army special operations command task force ranger in mogadishu, somalia. sergeant first class shughart provided precision sniper fires lead helicopter during assault on building , @ 2 helicopter crash sites, while subjected intense automatic weapons , rocket propelled grenade fires. while providing critical suppressive fires @ second crash site, sergeant first class shughart , team leader learned ground forces not available secure site. sergeant first class shughart , team leader unhesitatingly volunteered inserted protect 4 critically wounded personnel, despite being aware of growing number of enemy personnel closing in on site. after third request inserted, sergeant first class shughart , team leader received permission perform volunteer mission. when debris , enemy ground fires @ site caused them abort first attempt, sergeant first class shughart , team leader inserted 1 hundred meters south of crash site. equipped sniper rifle , pistol, sergeant first class shughart , team leader, while under intense fire enemy, fought way through dense maze of shanties , shacks reach critically injured crew members. sergeant first class shughart pulled pilot , other crew members aircraft, establishing perimeter placed him , fellow sniper in vulnerable position. sergeant first class shughart used long range rifle , side arm kill undetermined number of attackers while traveling perimeter, protecting downed crew. sergeant first class shughart continued protective fire until depleted ammunition , fatally wounded. actions saved pilot s life. sergeant first class shughart s extraordinary heroism , devotion duty in keeping highest standards of military service , reflect great credit upon him-self, unit , united states army.