Kraig Michael Vickers
Senior Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy

Navy Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers, 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team; died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding was shot down.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and 2 Gold Stars
Purple Heart
Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor Device
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star
Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation with 2 Bronze Stars
Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Navy Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
NATO ISAF Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Kraig M. Vickers, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Leading Chief Petty Officer while assigned to a Joint Task Force in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 17 March 2010. Chief Petty Officer Vickers was part of a ground force element that executed a daring direct action mission against a heavily armed Taliban commander deep inside enemy territory. Upon setting containment, the assault force came under heavy enemy fire. One team member became mortally wounded and others trying to assist him were pinned down. With complete disregard for his own safety and under effective enemy fire, Chief Petty Officer Vickers maneuvered to an exposed rooftop position and engaged the barricaded insurgents. While preparing to employ a grenade against the bunkered enemy position, he was struck in the wrist by an enemy round. Still receiving fire from below, Chief Petty Officer Vickers crawled, maintaining control of the live grenade, which he deployed into the open door of the building. He then remained steadfast in an exposed position and resumed exchanging fire through the roof, thereby eliminating the enemy and safeguarding his teammates during the recovery of their wounded team member. By his bold leadership, courageous actions, and unyielding devotion to duty, Chief Petty Officer Vickers reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

“I gravitated towards Kraig because of his easygoing personality and the drive to become the best person that he could be,” Labuanan wrote in an email to the newspaper.

In a statement, Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, extended her “gratitude to Kraig Vickers for his loyal service to our country.”

“We honor and remember the 30 American service members who gave their lives in Afghanistan. This tragic event is a stark reminder of the supreme sacrifices the women and men of the U.S. military make in serving our country,” the statement said.

Vickers completed Explosive Ordinance training at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in 1998. He served on Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, Hagatna, Guam, from November 1998 to July 2001. Other assignments included serving in Naval Expeditionary Combat Force Command, Bahrain, from August 2001 to August 2002; and Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit 3, Barbers Point, Hawaii, from August 2002 to February 2005. He joined his East Coast-based special warfare unit in February 2005.

Burial

Senior Chief Petty Officer Kraig Michael Vickers is buried at Valley Isle Memorial Park in Haiku, Maui County, HI.