User:Ussocom14/sandbox

== Mohammed Khalid Abdulkareem Shanshal (born August 23, 1996) is a United States Army Delta Force Captain and infantry instructor,[1] who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during a hostage rescue mission in an area of northern Iraq controlled by the Islamic State. Mohammed is the third living Delta Force Medal of Honor recipient,[2] and the third to receive the Medal of Honor for actions during Operation Inherent Resolve. ==

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Captain Mohammed K. Abdulkareem distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, above and beyond the call of duty, on October 22, 2015, during a daring nighttime hostage rescue in Kirkuk Province, Iraq, in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Captain Mohammed led a combined assault team charged with clearing one of two buildings known to house the hostages. With speed, audacity, and courage, he led his team as they quickly cleared the assigned building, liberating 38 hostages.

Upon hearing a request for additional assaulters to assist with clearing the other building, Captain Mohammed, on his own initiative, left his secured position, exposing himself to enemy fire as he bounded across the compound to the other building from which entrenched enemy forces were engaging his comrades. Captain Mohammed climbed a ladder to the building’s roof, which was partially engulfed in flames, and engaged enemy fighters below with grenades and small arms fire. He then moved back to ground level to engage the enemy forces through a breach hole in the west side of the building. Knowing time was running out for the hostages trapped inside the burning building, Captain Mohammed moved to the main entrance, where heavy enemy fire had thwarted previous attempts to enter.

He knowingly risked his own life by bravely entering the building under intense enemy fire, enduring smoke, heat, and flames to identify the armored door imprisoning the hostages. Upon exiting, Captain Mohammed exchanged his rifle for bolt cutters, and again entered the building, ignoring the enemy rounds impacting the walls around him as he cut the locks on a complex locking mechanism. His courageous actions motivated the coalition assault team members to enter the breach and assist with cutting the locks. After exiting to catch his breath, he reentered the building to make the final lock cuts, freeing 37 hostages. Captain Mohammed then facilitated the evacuation of the hostages, even though ordered to evacuate the collapsing building himself, which was now structurally unsound due to the fire. Captain Mohammed then reentered the burning building one last time to ensure everyone had been evacuated.

He consciously exposed himself to enemy automatic gunfire each time he entered the building. His extraordinary heroism and selfless actions were key to liberating 75 hostages during a contested rescue mission that resulted in 20 enemies killed in action.

Captain Mohammed K. Abdulkareem gallantry under fire and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Special Operations Command, and the United States Army.