CW2 Kristopher Hobt, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as a Pilot-in-Command for A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, Camp Striker, Iraq, on 02 July 2007 during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
CW2 Kristopher Hobt demonstrated outstanding professional skill, knowledge, and heroism in assisting with the security and rescue of the crew of a downed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Helicopter. On the morning of 02 July 2007, CW2 Hobt, flying as the co-pilot and pilot-in-command in the left seat, and CW2 Edward Gamble, piloting from the right seat, were flying an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, tail number 915, callsign Lighthorse 01, with their sister ship, Lighthorse 02, in support of ground operations south of Baghdad, Iraq. While conducting an area security mission, Lighthorse 01 and 02 heard Lighthorse 30, another OH-58D, asking for assistance over the local Air Traffic Control frequency. Lighthorse 30 and their sister ship, Lighthorse 27, had taken small arms and heavy machine gun fire from multiple directions, which forced Lighthorse 27 to crash land. Lighthorse 01 and 02 immediately broke station and began flying in the direction of the crash site. Once arriving on the scene, Lighthorse 01 began searching for the downed aircraft while Lighthorse 02 provided aerial security. While searching for Lighthorse 27, Lighthorse 01 and 02 also received small arms and heavy machine gun fire. Both aircraft performed evasive maneuvers and broke contact with the enemy. However, they quickly returned to the scene and continued searching. Upon locating Lighthorse 27, CW2 Hobt informed the Air Mission Commander that Lighthorse 01 was landing near the downed aircraft to assess the situation and determine the disposition of the crew. Lighthorse 01 landed approximately 40 meters from the crash site and, at extreme danger to himself, CW2 Hobt dismounted his aircraft with his M4 and a fire extinguisher, prepared to assist in securing the crew of Lighthorse 27. Once he arrived at the downed aircraft, CW2 Hobt noted that the crew was no longer there and their helmets were placed at the nose of the aircraft. CW2 Hobt returned to his own aircraft and reported to the Air Mission Commander that he believed the crew had egressed the aircraft and began evading. As Lighthorse 01 took off from the crash site, CW2 Hobt saw one of the downed crewmembers. moving in a canal near the downed aircraft. Lighthorse 01 began performing aerial security of the site with Lighthorse 02 as an AH-64 landed and extracted the crew of Lighthorse 27 safely to Baghdad International Airport.
CW2 Hobt's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army.