On Friday, March 16, 2012, Sgt. Martin Anthony Lugo Jr., United States Army Rangers - Squad Leader, Company C, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment was awarded the Silver Star Medal in Savannah, GA and presented to his father Martin Lugo Sr. This Silver Star Medal award is by The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress for Gallantry In Action.
Sgt. Lugo had also posthumously been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Purple Heart.
Sgt. Lugo's awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two combat stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with combat star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
During combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, as a Squad Leader for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Lugo and the assault force, immediately upon insertion to conduct a raid on a Taliban commander and several armed Taliban fighters, received effective fire from a trench directly to the east. With the entire assault force pinned down and taking casualties, Sgt. Lugo led his element on a flanking maneuver to destroy the enemy. As he advanced, Sgt. Lugo identified two enemy fighters engaging the assault force. Realizing the threat the enemy posed to his element, Sgt. Lugo aggressively exposed himself to eliminate the enemy and was mortally wounded. Sgt. Lugo's actions saved the lives of five of his teammates. Sgt. Lugo distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, this Command and the United Sates Army.
Sgt. Lugo was on his sixth combat deployment. He previously had deployed three times to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq.
