Jesse Adam Snow
Specialist, U.S. Army

On 14 November 2010, then-Specialist Jesse Adam Snow was serving as a Radio Telephone Operator for 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom X-XI in Afghanistan.

On that day, at approximately 0930 hours, as 1st Platoon, Alpha Company was crossing the draw to the South of OBJ Cowboys 1, they received SAF and PKM fire. After receiving guidance from ABU 6, 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company moved into an overwatch/SBF position to the East of OBJ Cowboys 1 in order to provide support for 1st Platoon moving onto OBJ Cowboys 1. Just before the attack started most of the platoon leadership was in the CP, getting briefed on the next course of action. At 1507 hours, the insurgents initiated an L-shaped ambush on 3rd Platoon's overwatch position, targeting the CP first and then the gun positions. SPC Snow was located at the CP and his weapon system was destroyed by one of the several RPGs that targeted the CP. SPC Snow, without a weapon, low crawled back to the CP location in order to assist the wounded from the initial barrage of machine gun fire that targeted the CP. SPC Snow then assisted in the recovery of SGT Robertson and the LEP by helping SFC Fleming drag the 2 wounded Soldiers more than 30 feet to a more secure CCP located to the west. SPC Snow low crawled and maneuvered through multiple RPGs and an overwhelming amount of machine gun fire in order to secure his 2 fallen comrades. SPC Snow then provided life saving first aid to the LEP as he simultaneously spotted targets for the machine gun team of SGT Bloom and SPC Johnson. Despite the enemy breaking through the perimeter to the East and advancing on his current location, SPC Snow noticed the gun team was running low on ammunition and he maneuvered through intense enemy fire to secure more ammunition for the machine gun team. After SPC Snow re-supplied the gun positions with more ammunition, he started performing life saving first aid on SGT Outman. The enemy volume of fire continued to increase, dwindling away the 18 inches of effective cover that SPC Snow was utilizing to treat SGT Outman, as they drew closer to his position. Ignoring his own safety, SPC Snow placed himself on top of SGT Outman shielding him from incoming machine gun fire as he again performed life saving first aid. SPC Snow's heroic actions were directly responsible for preventing further casualties to his platoon by safeguarding SGT Outman and other wounded Soldiers until SPC Snow himself was fatally wounded. SPC Snow's courageous actions saved the lives of 3 fellow brothers in arms and also solely denied the enemy the ability to capture any American Soldiers. SPC Snow’s selfless, courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, 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
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO ISAF Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Air Assault Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

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 Specialist Jesse Adam Snow, United States Army, for valorous achievement while serving as a Radio Telephone Operator for 3d Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM X-XI. Specialist Jesse A. Snow demonstrated the highest standard of performance and valor on 14 November 2010, by safeguarding Sergeant Outman and other wounded soldiers until Specialist Snow himself was fatally wounded during an operation in the Watapur Valley, Afghanistan. His selfless actions and disregard for personal safety saved the lives of numerous soldiers, reflecting great credit upon him, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and the United States Army.

Burial

Specialist Jesse Adam Snow is buried at Byron Cemetery in Fairborn, Greene County, OH.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64245864/jesse-adam-snow