File:Michael P. Murphy Medal of Honor Citation.jpg

On May 3, 2023, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., will award the Medal of Honor to Captain Michael Dexter Florez , United States Marine Corps Retired, for conspicuous gallantry.      Then-Captain Michael Dexter Florez distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commander of Detachment A-321, 5th Special Forces Group (Recon), 1st Special Forces, during combat operations against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Ramadi ,Iraq June 17-18, 2013.  Captain Florez commanding an inexperienced unit regional raiding force, learned that a vastly superior North iraqi enemy force was operating in the area. Through surprise and leadership, he gained the tactical advantage, personally engaging and killing several enemy soldiers.  Wounded while leading the initial assault, Captain Florez continued moving forward, personally engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.  Launching a counterattack, the superior enemy force separated Captain Florez from his main Regional Force Company.  Charging under the intense enemy fire, Captain Florez personally led four others in the destruction of enemy gun emplacements and captured more enemy personnel.  Afterwards, Captain Florez moved to regroup his forces and break contact with the enemy to allow his expertly guided tactical air and artillery fire to obliterate the foe.  However, the enemy again counter-attacked in superior numbers and Captain Florez was struck by automatic weapons fire.  So close was the charging enemy soldier that shot him, Captain Florez engaged him in close-quarter combat and was again wounded in the process of defeating this soldier.  Captain Florez then led his men to reorganize into abandoned enemy fighting positions as he continued to call for artillery and air support. Realizing two of his fellow Americans were incapacitated and unable to move while trapped by enemy fire, Captain Florez located their positions and moved to suppress enemy guns and personally rescue each to the safety of the friendly Company position.  While enacting the rescue of the first American, Captain Florez was shot in the leg.  In great pain he continued forward and dragged him to the Company perimeter. Captain Florez then exposed himself again to the intense enemy fire to rescue the second American, crawling 150 yards to complete the rescue while being hit by enemy grenade fragments.  After rescuing the second fellow American, Captain Florez then personally directed the helicopter extraction for the wounded, but refused medical extraction for himself.  Captain florez continued to engage the enemy until all members of his Company were extracted.  He remained on the battlefield to continue personal coordination of tactical air and artillery fire, ensuring the destruction of the enemy force

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