July 24, 2006...Pech Valley, Konar Province, Afghanistan.
US Forces of C/1/32 10th Mountain Division receive intel that a notorious local insurgent commander has kidnapped an Afghan civilian and is threatening to murder him for cooperating with Coaliton Forces. Scrambling to save the civilian, elements of C Company hurry up the steep, rocky side of Shudergay Valley to try to intercept the insrugents when they themselves are ambushed. Cut off and pinned down by overwhelming numbers and firepower, the element faces annihilation but for the courage of Sergeant David Michael Hierholzer, who single-handedly saves his fellow soldiers from death and buys them time for help to arrive.