User:Abovfold/Sandbox/Arthur Kandarian

Arthur A. "Art" Kandarian is a retired United States Army officer best known for his role in the War in Afghanistan commanding the main effort element of ISAF for 2010. His 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division, known as the "Strike Brigade", spearheaded Operation Dragon Strike, the NATO counterinsurgency effort to defeat the Taliban in its birthplace of Kandahar Province, during the  2010 fighting season. After several months of intense battles, by the end of December the operation's main objectives were accomplished, with the majority of Taliban forces in Kandahar withdrawing from the province, and much of their leadership fractured.

Early life
An ethnic Armenian American, Art Kandarian grew up in Cumberland, Rhode Island, and joined the Army in 1986, graduating from the ROTC program at Washington and Lee University in Virginia with a degree in East Asian studies. He later attended the USAF Air War College for a master's in strategic studies.

Military career
Across Kandarian's 27 years in the U.S. Army, he deployed on eight combat deployments, to include the 1989 invasion of Panama, Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti in 1991, and both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Awards
Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Task Force 20 at Haditha, Iraq.

Silver Star citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Arthur A. Kandarian, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment, assigned to Task Force TWENTY in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM at Haditha, Iraq, on 31 March 2003. His performance continued throughout the duration of the mission where his element was engaged with the most direct and indirect fire in the history of the modern day Rangers. Major Kandarian's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Awarded Legion of Merit. Entitled to wear presidential unit citation.

Ranger Hall of Fame inductee.