Here is an amazing story. I decided to get an original issue Hardigg case for my M24. I found one on E-Bay and bid what I thought was a generous $375. I wasn't even close. A while later another came on E-Bay, complete with day optic case. It was outrageously priced with a buy-it-now, but not completely out of line with the previous one I lost out on. There were quite a few people "watching" and I decided that the added value to my M24 justified the purchase price. I couldn't make out the writing on the case from the E-Bay photo but thought nothing of it. I received the case yesterday and could clearly see it marked 3312B. I thought that was strange, it's like no other unit marking I've seen. I walked by it this morning and looked at the number again and thought to myself how it had no hyphens as per conventional units and what was with the "B". Then...a glimpse of the blindingly obvious...especially for a former SF soldier. It was an ODA number! I had forgetten that sometime after my retirement that the ODA numbering system had changed...and the "B" denoted the "B" Team within the ODA. I went upstairs and Googled SFODA 3312 expecting to get some random ODA's with 4 digits show up and allow me to review the numbering system and figure out the exact Group/Bn/Co. The first thing that popped up was the Medal of Honor citation for SSG Robert J Miller, ODA 3312. SSG Miller was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions in Konar province, Afghanistan on January 25, 2008. Citation below.
I am almost 100% certain that this Hardigg case contained one of the two M24 SWS's issued to SFODA 3312, and was most likely assigned to the Junior Weapons Sergeant of the "B" Team within the detachment. SF ODA's are configured to be broken down into two 6 man Teams...an A team commanded by the Detachment Commander and a B team commanded by the Detachment Tech...when the situation requires. I have no idea if SSG Miller ever laid eyes on this case, but the case has definitely been there and done that.
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Citation Official Narrative
Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of heroism while serving as the Weapons Sergeant in Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3312, Special Operations Task Force-33, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan during combat operations against an armed enemy in Konar Province, Afghanistan on January 25, 2008. While conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol through the Gowardesh Valley, Staff Sergeant Miller and his small element of U.S. and Afghan National Army soldiers engaged a force of 15 to 20 insurgents occupying prepared fighting positions. Staff Sergeant Miller initiated the assault by engaging the enemy positions with his vehicle’s turret-mounted Mark-19 40 millimeter automatic grenade launcher while simultaneously providing detailed descriptions of the enemy positions to his command, enabling effective, accurate close air support.
Following the engagement, Staff Sergeant Miller led a small squad forward to conduct a battle damage assessment. As the group neared the small, steep, narrow valley that the enemy had inhabited, a large, well-coordinated insurgent force initiated a near ambush, assaulting from elevated positions with ample cover. Exposed and with little available cover, the patrol was totally vulnerable to enemy rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapon fire. As point man, Staff Sergeant Miller was at the front of the patrol, cut off from supporting elements, and less than 20 meters from enemy forces. Nonetheless, with total disregard for his own safety, he called for his men to quickly move back to covered positions as he charged the enemy over exposed ground and under overwhelming enemy fire in order to provide protective fire for his team.
While maneuvering to engage the enemy, Staff Sergeant Miller was shot in his upper torso. Ignoring the wound, he continued to push the fight, moving to draw fire from over one hundred enemy fighters upon himself. He then again charged forward through an open area in order to allow his teammates to safely reach cover. After killing at least 10 insurgents, wounding dozens more, and repeatedly exposing himself to withering enemy fire while moving from position to position, Staff Sergeant Miller was mortally wounded by enemy fire. His extraordinary valor ultimately saved the lives of seven members of his own team and 15 Afghanistan National Army soldiers. Staff Sergeant Miller's heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty, and at the cost of his own life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
