![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/JoshLaughery.jpg\" "\\"JoshLaughery\\"")
<\/a><\/center><\/p>\nThe Houston Chronicle<\/a> tells the tale of Sgt. M. Joshua Ryan Laughery who is about to be awarded the Silver Star for his actions in Afghanistan which resulted in his entire platoon surviving the withering fire of an ambush which left him in charge when his squad leaders and platoon leader were wounded;<\/p>\n Realizing that his squad and platoon leaders had been incapacitated by injuries, Laughery had another soldier take his place as gunner, started medical evacuation procedures, and reorganized his squad, according to a statement from Fort Polk.<\/p>\n Laughery engaged the insurgents and held them at bay until relief arrived, the statement said. His actions resulted in the survival and rescue of every soldier on his patrol, including five who had been wounded.<\/p>\n The pitched battle lasted about 25 minutes, Laughery said. Twice, he and another soldier, Spc. John Penilton, ran into a pitch-black cellar to root out insurgents hiding there.<\/p>\n \u201cWe went down in the hole and engaged these dudes almost at point-blank range,\u201d Laughery said. One of the insurgents charged the Americans with an AK-47. \u201cI could see the whites of his eyes,\u201d Laughery said. Everyone opened fire, lighting up the dark with muzzle flashes.<\/p>\n Laughery still doesn\u2019t know how he and Penilton survived. \u201cIt\u2019s magic,\u201d he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Laughery is humble about the award;<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not an award that I earned by myself,\u201d Laughery told the Houston Chronicle by telephone from Fort Polk. \u201cMy guys helped. It was definitely a group effort. It wasn\u2019t just me. \u2026 If I could, I\u2019d split it up and give it to all my guys.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n