Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Award of Air Force Cross to Christopher G. Baradat
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 15, 2023
1. Award of Air Force Cross to Christopher G. Baradat Marker
Inscription.
Award of Air Force Cross to Christopher G. Baradat. .
Citation to Accompany the Award of the Air Force Cross to Christopher G. Baradat . Staff Sergeant Christopher G. Baradat distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as a Combat Controller, 21st Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component Afghanistan, in the Sono Valley, Sheltan District, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 6 April 2013. On that day, sergeant Baradat displayed extraordinary bravery and complete disregard for his own safety as he and his teammates responded as a quick reactionary force for a pinned down coalition element. Upon notification, Sergeant Baradat's team and attached Afghan forces entered Sono Valley, a known sanctuary for Taliban and al qaida militants. As Sergeant Baradat and his team moved through the tight valley on foot, they came under heavy enemy attack. Sergeant Baradat charged through the hail of enemy gunfire, engaging insurgent positions. Once in the compound, both ridgelines bordering the valley erupted in gunfire, attacking Sergeant Baradat's location. As he and his team hunkered down behind cover against the heavy onslaught, Sergeant Baradat realized he could not effectively communicate with overhead aerial assets from his protected position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Baradat moved to the center of the compound into direct enemy fire in order to communicate with orbiting aircraft. Over the next three hours Sergeant Baradat calmly directed lethal engagements from A-10 and AC-130 aircraft onto 13 enemy fighting positions. Sergeant Baradat's heroic and selfless actions directly resulted in over 50 enemy fighters killed, while saving the lives of over 150 friendly personnel. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Baradat has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Citation to Accompany the Award of
the Air Force Cross
to Christopher G. Baradat
Staff Sergeant Christopher G. Baradat distinguished
himself by gallantry in connection with military
operations against an armed enemy of the United States
as a Combat Controller, 21st Expeditionary Special
Tactics Squadron, Combined Joint Special Operations Air
Component Afghanistan, in the Sono Valley, Sheltan
District, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 6 April 2013. On
that day, sergeant Baradat displayed extraordinary
bravery and complete disregard for his own safety as
he and his teammates responded as a quick reactionary
force for a pinned down coalition element. Upon
notification, Sergeant Baradat's team and attached
Afghan forces entered Sono Valley, a known sanctuary
for Taliban and al qaida militants. As Sergeant Baradat
and his team moved through the tight valley on foot,
they came under heavy enemy attack. Sergeant Baradat
charged through the hail of enemy gunfire, engaging
insurgent positions. Once in the compound, both
ridgelines bordering the valley erupted in gunfire,
attacking Sergeant Baradat's location. As he and his
team hunkered down behind cover against the heavy
onslaught, Sergeant Baradat realized he could not
effectively communicate with overhead aerial
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assets
from his protected position. With complete disregard
for his own safety, Sergeant Baradat moved to the
center of the compound into direct enemy fire in order
to communicate with orbiting aircraft. Over the next
three hours Sergeant Baradat calmly directed lethal
engagements from A-10 and AC-130 aircraft onto 13
enemy fighting positions. Sergeant Baradat's heroic
and selfless actions directly resulted in over 50 enemy
fighters killed, while saving the lives of over 150
friendly personnel. By his gallantry and devotion to
duty, Sergeant Baradat has reflected great credit
upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Location. 32° 24.267′ N, 86° 14.981′ W. Marker is in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Memorial is on Avenue D, on the right when traveling south. Located at the USAF Senior NCO Academy at the Gunter Annex and requires base access. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 McDonald St, Montgomery AL 36115, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 15, 2023
2. Award of Air Force Cross to Christopher G. Baradat Marker
3. Christopher G. Baradat AF Cross (on left) marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
