Senior Airman Mark A. Forester distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States in the Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan on 29 September 2010.  On that day, while performing duty as a Combat Controller for Special Operations Task Force - South East, Fire Base Tinsley, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Airman Forester demonstrated extreme valor while engaged in combat with a well equipped and tenacious enemy.  Airman Forester participated in a deliberate assault against an insurgent safe haven in Jangalak Village, supporting a team of four United States Army Special Forces Soldiers and eight Afghan National Army Soldiers on a patrol to secure possible enemy ambush positions to provide security for a mounted patrol.  As the patrol moved into the village, it came under intense enemy machine gun and sniper fire.  Airman Forester, without hesitation, exposed himself to enemy fire in order to identify enemy positions and coordinate close air support.  As the enemy fire became more accurate, the patrol was forced to bound through an open field in order to secure a defensive position in a compound.  As they approached the compound, one of the Afghan Soldiers suffered a fatal gunshot wound from an enemy sniper.  Airman Forester was able to quickly maneuver a pair of AH-64s over the enemy positions which enabled the patrol to reach the safety of the compound.  Once inside the compound, Airman Forester assisted in its clearing and moved into a position to flank the insurgents.  As the team flanked the insurgent position, they again came under effective enemy machine gun and sniper fire.  When a United States Army Soldier was fatally injured by the sniper, Airman Forester again exposed himself to the enemy and immediately killed the sniper.  Airman Forester then organized a team to retrieve the injured Soldier.  Airman Forester led the team back into the enemy’s line of fire in a valiant effort to rescue a fallen comrade when he was fatally wounded by insurgent fire.  Airman Forester’s steadfast courage in the face the enemy led to the elimination of twelve insurgents and the capture of multiple weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  By his gallantry and devotion to duty in the dedication of his service to his country, Airman Forester has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. 


The Price of Freedom
On September 29th, 2010, Senior Airman Mark Forester, beloved son, brother and friend was killed in Afghanistan while attempting to save a fallen comrade. We hope that you find Mark's story a source of inspiration, patriotism and proof that heroes are real.

Mark was a member of the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope AFB, NC. His website is dedicated to all Combat Controllers as well as US Servicemen, both past and present. We are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy.

Mark A. Forester - JAG 28
(May 15, 1981 - September 29, 2010)

We were told on Monday, April 2, that Mark's Silver Star has been approved. We are very happy and honored for this news, confirming Mark's heroic actions on 29 September 2010. Our son, and little brother gave all.

There will be a ceremony soon, and we will post more info; including the citation, once this takes place. We appreciate Mark's leaders and teammates who trained and fought by his side during his three years in the Air Force.......... Thad Forester





Combat Controller Posthumously Awarded Silver Star
by Rachel Arroyo
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

6/15/2012 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- Senior Airman Mark Forester had an American flag wrapped around his chest plate inside his body armor when he was fatally wounded by an enemy sniper's fire Sept. 29, 2010.

This simple act is a testament to how Forester lived his life, a life respected by all who knew him.

Forester, a Combat Contrller assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Field, N.C., was posthumously awarded the Silver Star on June 15 in a ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

The Silver Star, the third highest combat medal, is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the U.S. while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.

The medal was presented to his parents, Ray and Pat Forester of Haleyville, Ala.

Forester, 29, was killed in action while moving to the aid of a fallen teammate during an assault of an insurgent safe haven in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.

His courage on this mission led to the elimination of 12 insurgents and capture of a significant weapons cache.

Air Force Special Operations Command Commander Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel said Forester embodied the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.

"Though he cannot be here to accept this recognition and probably would have shunned the attention if he were, we honor and document his heroic actions in the presence of his family, his teammates and his friends," Fiel said. "We commit his actions forever to memory as is due a true hero and brother-in-arms. He will be remembered, as we remember all heroes, who have the greatest valor driven from deep dedication to our nation and our way of life."

Members of the special tactics community came from across the country by the hundreds to witness the presentation and to pay respects to their brother, their role model and beloved friend.

Forester had a monumental impact on Staff Sgt. Johnnie Yellock, a close friend and fellow Combat Contrller assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

So much so that Yellock maintains frequent contact with the Forester family and travels to Alabama each year to spend Thanksgiving with them, a practice he started with Mark Forester before he died.

Yellock, who was injured in an IED explosion in Afghanistan last year, respected Forester for walking the walk.

"Mark always stuck to his morals. Mark was one of those people who would keep everybody in line," Yellock said. "You always looked up to him. He had unwavering character, charisma and morals that his parents obviously instilled in him from a young age."

Thad Forester also credited his little brother for being a standout. He said he was both humbled and honored to see he served as a role model to so many.

"Mark really was unique, and he had such high character and consistency in values that this is what should happen," he said. "We should honor people who are good examples."

Thad Forester said his family has been trying to learn everything they can about the time his brother spent in the military. He said he finds himself imagining what happened in his brother's last battle.

The Mark Forester he goes back to, however, is not wearing a scarlet beret or a special tactics kit.

"Most everyone sees pictures of Mark in uniform, but I picture him more as my little brother," he said. "He was my best friend and my roommate in college."

After accepting the award on behalf of his son, Ray Forester acknowledged the outpouring of love and support from his son's second family, the special tactics brotherhood.

"It has been a tough almost two years, but I want to thank each of you for being there, for supporting us," he said. "And I especially want to thank the special tactics community. What a family it is."

Thad Forester also thanked special tactics for remaining steadfast alongside their family.

"From the very beginning, from the very first notification and visit, they told us 'we will be with you every step of the way,'" he said. "Honestly, it sounded like something anybody would say, but it's true. The special tactics community has been right by our side."

Students at the Special Tactics Training Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., walk by Forester's picture each morning as they enter the building, and they work out each afternoon beneath a portrait of him drawn by a teammate that hangs in their gym.

His presence is a constant, reminding old and new generations of Combat Contrllers of the ultimate price of freedom.