Born: August 30, 1960
Military Action: Somalia
Rank: Master Sergeant, U.S. Army
Location of Action: Mogadishu, Somalia
Date of Action: October 3, 1993
Official Medal of Honor Citation: Master Sergeant Gordon, United States Army, distinguished himself by
actions above and beyond the call of duty on 3 October 1993, while serving as Sniper Team
Leader, United States Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu,
Somalia.
Master Sergeant Gordon's sniper team provided precision fires from the lead helicopter
during an assault and at two helicopter crash sites, while subjected to intense automatic
weapons and rocket propelled grenade fires. When Master Sergeant Gordon learned that
ground forces were not immediately available to secure the second crash site, he and
another sniper unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically
wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel
closing in on the site.
After his third request to be inserted, Master Sergeant Gordon received permission to
perform his volunteer mission. When debris and enemy ground fires at the site caused them
to abort the first attempt, Master Sergeant Gordon was inserted one hundred meters south of the
crash site. Equipped with only his sniper rifle and a pistol, Master Sergeant Gordon and
his fellow sniper, while under intense small arms fire from the enemy, fought their way
through a dense maze of shanties and shacks to reach the critically
injured crew members.
Master Sergeant Gordon immediately pulled the pilot and the other crew members from the
aircraft, establishing a perimeter which placed him and his fellow sniper in the most
vulnerable position. Master Sergeant Gordon used his long range rifle and side arm to
kill an undetermined number of attackers until he depleted his ammunition. Master Sergeant
Gordon then went back to the wreckage, recovering some of the crew's weapons and ammunition.
Despite the fact that he was critically low on ammunition, he provided some
of it to the dazed pilot and then radioed for help. Master Sergeant Gordon continued
to travel the perimeter, protecting the downed crew. After his team member was fatally
wounded and his own rifle ammunition exhausted, Master Sergeant Gordon returned to the
wreckage, recovering a rifle with the last five rounds of ammunition and gave it to the
pilot with the words, "good luck." Then, armed only with his pistol, Master Sergeant Gordon
continued to fight until he was fatally wounded.
His actions saved the pilot's life. Master Sergeant Gordon's extraordinary heroism and
devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and
reflect great credit upon him, his unit and the United States Army.
GARY I. GORDON
