Army vet's Bronze Star upgraded to Silver Star for 2009 firefight
By: Max Hauptman (Task Purpose)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Bryan Cyr receives the Silver Star from Maj. Gen. Thomas Drew on June 12, 2023. Cyr's Silver Star was upgraded from a Bronze Star for combat in Afghanistan in 2009 as he attempted to find two solider who had been swept away in the Bala Murghab river. (U.S. Army photo).
In November 2009, Spc. Bryan Cyr and two other 82nd Airborne soldier were sent on a solemn mission: find two fellow soldiers who had been washed away in the Bala Murghab river in Afghanistan. As they searched, Cyr and his team found themselves in an intense firefight. As two machine guns fired, Cyr rushed across open terrain to help take out both positions.
Cyr was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor for the fight in 2010, but that award was upgraded June 12 to the Silver Star, the third-highest combat decoration that can be awarded to a service member.
Cyr received the award this week from Maj. Gen. Thomas Drew, the head of Army Human Resources Command, at a ceremony in Alaska.
Today we had the honor of hosting the presentation of the Silver Star Medal to former @USArmy Sgt. Bryan Cyr.
As part of a three-man assault force, he bounded through an open field and heavy enemy fire multiple times, to support the recovery of two Soldiers in Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/YBqVGFNuzB
— Eleventh Airborne (@11thAirborneDiv) June 13, 2023
On November 6, 2009, Cyr, was a mechanic assigned to Task Force Professional of the 82nd Airborne Division. A resupply drop for the unit had missed, falling in the nearby river. Two soldiers who ventured out into the water to retrieve the supplies were washed away, and eventually found dead.
Missions to find the two, dubbed Operation Hero Recovery, were ambushed, resulting in intense fighting. As part of a three-man assault team, Cyr and directly engaged and destroyed two PKM machine gun positions as well as several enemy personnel, with Cyr "able to suppress these enemy positions," according to the citation. "Specialist Cyr was an integral part of the three-man assault force that maneuvered in open terrain through a hail of enemy fire in broad daylight."
Cyr's upgraded award came as part of a large scale review of awards within the Army. Valor awards can be reviewed for a potential upgrade, either at the request of a unit or through congressional channels. It can be a lengthy process - evidence must be compiled and then reviewed, eventually making its way before the Senior Army Decorations Board.
In this case, it was Cyr's former chain of command that undertook the initial process of having his award upgraded, according to Army Human Resources Command.
"I was not thinking about myself," Cyr said of his actions during the award ceremony. "I was just doing my duty."
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In 2009 - 2010 I was assigned to Herat Providence as part of the Brigade Headquarters of the 4th Brigade, 82d Airborne that Task Force Professional (2-321 Airborne Field Artillery Regiment) was part of. This simple CDS Drop in the Bala Murghab (FOB Todd) valley turned deadly very quickly when Sergeant Sherman and Sergeant Islip (both of the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment) were swept away by the Bala Murghab river.
During Operation Hero Recovery several units from all branches and countries were brought in for the operation to include S.E.A.L. Teams, Special Operations Teams, and MARSOC. We took on insurgents who would enter Afghanistan from Iran through the Bala Murghab valley. This was also considered the Taliban's "winter vacation" location by intel reports. The operation had taken more than a month to bring Sergeant Sherman and Sergeant Islip home.
Accounts of the conditions and Operation Hero Recover can be found at
It is great to see SPC Cyr's award get upgraded for such an operation. Congratulations Bryan.
We are all grateful for the service of such brave people.
Thank you for your service and let me second the motion on congatulating Bryan Cyr.