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First Name: Michael

Last Name: Stack

Birthplace: USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Lake City, SC
Middle Name: Boyd



Date of Birth: 05 April 1956

Date of Death: 11 April 2004

Rank: Sergeant Major

Years Served: 1975 - 2004
Michael Boyd Stack

   
Engagements:
•  Gulf War (1990 - 1991)
•  Kosovo War (1998 - 1999)
•  Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) (2003 - 2011)

Biography:

Michael Boyd Stack
Sergeant Major, U.S. Army

On 11 April 2004, then-Sergeant Major Michael Boyd Stack was serving as Company Sergeant Major with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

On that day, SGM Stack’s Special Forces team was traveling from Baghdad to Al Hillah, Iraq, when it came under enemy fire. SGM Stack’s vehicle was pulling rear security for the convoy and he immediately began to fire upon the enemy so that the others in the kill zone could escape from the hail of enemy fire. SGM Stack then led a security force into the kill zone to eliminate the remaining threat and allow for the safe evacuation of casualties. After the casualties were evacuated, SGM Stack began preparation for a counterattack on the enemy position. SGM Stack manned a .50 caliber machine gun to cover the elements movement toward the enemy position but, because of a damaged vehicle, the counterattack was abandoned, so he directed a link-up with a nearby quick reaction force (QRF) and returned to Forward Operation Base 52 to refit. Knowing that the element was in danger of being attacked, SGM Stack began leading the soldiers in reinforcing their position. That night, as their convoy moved toward Al Hillah, the Special Forces element was ambushed several times from several directions by a high volume of enemy fire in a multiple-kilometer kill zone. In the midst of the ambush, SGM Stack remained calm and continued to direct fire upon the enemy while keeping control of his element and allowing other vehicles to maneuver to covered and concealed positions. After seeing SGM Stack's actions, which helped to lead the Special Forces element out of the kill zone, the enemy began to concentrate fire on his vehicle and an explosion killed him instantly. SGM Stack's personal sacrifice and courage allowed the remainder of the attack to fight its way out of the ambush and ultimately, to survive the attack. SGM Stack’s courageous actions that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Commendation Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Achievement Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal with 3 Silver Knots
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 4
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Combat Infantryman Badge
Expert Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Major Michael Boyd Stack, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Company Sergeant Major with Company C, 2d Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, near Baghdad, Iraq, on 11 April 2004. On that date, Sergeant Major Sack's Special Forces team was traveling from Baghdad to Al Hillah, Iraq, when they came under enemy fire. His vehicle was pulling rear security for the convoy and Sergeant Major Stack immediately began to fire upon the enemy so that the others in the kill zone could escape from the hail of enemy fire. He then led a security force into the kill zone to eliminate the remaining threat and allow for the safe evacuation of casualties. After the casualties were evacuated, Sergeant Major Stack began preparation for a counterattack on the enemy position. He manned a .50 caliber machine gun to cover the elements movement toward the enemy position but, because of a damaged vehicle, the counterattack was abandoned, so Sergeant Major Stack directed a link-up with a nearby quick reaction Force and returned to Forward Operation Base 52 to refit. Knowing that the element was in danger of being attacked, he began leading the soldiers in reinforcing their position. That night, as their convoy moved toward Al Hillah, the Special Forces element was ambushed several times from several directions by a high volume of enemy fire in a multiple-kilometer kill zone. In the midst of the ambush, Sergeant Major Stack remained calm and continued to direct fire upon the enemy while keeping control of his element and allowing other vehicles to maneuver to covered and concealed positions. After seeing Sergeant Major Stack's actions, which helped to lead the Special Forces element out of the kill zone, the enemy began to concentrate fire on his vehicle. An explosion killed him instantly. Sergeant Major Stack's personal sacrifice and courage allowed the remainder of the attack t fight its way out of the ambush and ultimately, to survive the attack. His intrepid actions, at the cost of his life, exemplified the highest traditions of the military forces and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and the United States Army.

Burial

Sergeant Major Michael Boyd Stack is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8806422/michael-boyd-stack



Honoree ID: 4327   Created by: MHOH

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