John Asa Grayson

Sergeant John A. Grayson, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as a Squad Leader in Bravo Company 1-18 Infantry in Ta'Meem, Iraq from 01 September 2006 to 30 June 2007 during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 06-08. 

Sergeant (SGT) Grayson led 220 Combat Patrols and 48 raids while operating in Ta'meem, Iraq. SGT Grayson also participated in over 20 joint operations with the Naval Special Warfare Group. On one of these joint operations, SGT Grayson apprehended the number 2 and 3 High Value Insurgents (HVIs) in the Company's sector. SGT Grayson was also responsible for detaining over 50 other insurgents while conducting counter insurgency operations. SGT Grayson conducted over 900 census operations in the city of Ta'meem, Iraq. The intelligence gathered from those censuses drove numerous other operations in the Task Forces (TF) area of responsibility and allowed the TF Intelligence Officer to produce mission packets on multiple targets. On 20 October 2006 while serving as the Sergeant of the Guard (SOG) at Joint Security Station (JSS) Steel, the JSS came under heavy small arms and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) fire from the B-9 sector. Without hesitation, SGT Grayson gathered his Squad and pushed outside the wire under fire to maneuver on the enemy. While moving his Squad SGT Grayson identified two 60 mm mortar rounds that were prepared to be used against JSS Steel. When SGT Grayson moved his Squad through the target houses, they detained 5 Anti-Iraqi Forces 

(AIF). SGT Grayson's vigilance prevented serious injury to the Soldiers on JSS Steel and its equipment. SGT Grayson was responsible for conducting Pre-combat checks 

(PCCs) on his nine assigned Soldiers, 3 M1151and 1 M1114 HMMWV. SGT Grayson performed over 600 hours as Sergeant of the Guard (SOG) while at JSS Steel. He was responsible for the safety of the 48 Soldiers that lived at JSS Steel. SGT Grayson was also directly responsible for finding 5 enemy caches and 3 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) while conducting Combat Patrols in sector. SGT Grayson provided 400 hours of observation post (OP) security at OP Jones and OP S-curve. This allowed Coalition Forces to move freely between Central Ramadi and Camp Ramadi along key routes to other Task Force area of operations (AOs). SGT Grayson has also played an important role in conducting 150 combined operations with the Ta'meem Iraqi Police. The success of these combined operations was exemplified by the sharp decline in attacks against Coalition Forces, Iraqi Security Forces, and the Iraqi Citizens in the Company's AO. 

Sergeant Grayson's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, the "Steel Tigers", the 2nd "Dagger Brigade", and the United States Army.

Narrative submitted by honoree.