Army Ranger to receive Medal of Honor
From the Army News Service:
An Army Ranger who lost his right hand and suffered shrapnel wounds after throwing an armed grenade away from his fellow Soldiers will be the second living Medal of Honor Recipient from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
On July 12, 2011, President Barack Obama will award Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry, with the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry. Petry will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in Paktya, Afghanistan, May 26, 2008.
Petry now serves as part of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga.
"It's very humbling to know that the guys thought that much of me and my actions that day, to nominate me for that," said Petry, on learning he had been nominated for the medal.
At the time of his actions in Afghanistan, Petry was assigned to Company D, 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Petry's actions came as part of a rare daylight raid to capture a high-value target.
On the day of the actions that would earn Petry the Medal of Honor, he was to locate himself with the platoon headquarters in the target building once it was secured. Once there, he was to serve as the senior noncommissioned officer at the site for the remainder of the operation.
Recognizing one of the assault squads needed assistance clearing their assigned building, Petry relayed to the platoon leader that he was moving to that squad to provide additional supervision and guidance during the clearance of the building.
Once the residential portion of the building had been cleared, Petry took a fellow member of the assault squad, Pvt. 1st Class Lucas Robinson, to clear the outer courtyard. Petry knew that area had not been cleared during the initial clearance.
Petry and Robinson, both Rangers, moved into an area of the compound that contained at least three enemy fighters who were prepared to engage friendly forces from opposite ends of the outer courtyard.
The two Soldiers entered the courtyard. To their front was an opening followed by a chicken coop. As the two crossed the open area, an enemy insurgent fired on them. Petry was wounded by one round, which went through both of his legs. Robinson was also hit in his side plate by a separate round.
While wounded and under enemy fire, Petry led Robinson to the cover of the chicken coop. The enemy continued to deliver fire at the two Soldiers.
As the senior Soldier, Petry assessed the situation and reported that contact was made and that there were two wounded Rangers in the courtyard of the primary target building.
Upon hearing the report of two wounded Rangers, Sgt. Daniel Higgins, a team leader, moved to the outer courtyard. As Higgins was moving to Petry and Robinson's position, Petry threw a thermobaric grenade in the vicinity of the enemy position.
Shortly after that grenade exploded -- which created a lull in the enemy fire -- Higgins arrived at the chicken coop and assessed the wounds of the two Soldiers.
While Higgins evaluated their wounds, an insurgent threw a grenade over the chicken coop at the three Rangers. The grenade landed about 10 meters from the three Rangers, knocked them to the ground, and wounded Higgins and Robinson. Shortly after the grenade exploded, Staff Sgt. James Roberts and Spc. Christopher Gathercole entered the courtyard, and moved toward the chicken coop.
With three Soldiers taking cover in the chicken coop, an enemy fighter threw another grenade at them. This time, the grenade landed just a few feet from Higgins and Robinson.
Recognizing the threat that the enemy grenade posed to his fellow Rangers, Petry -- despite his own wounds and with complete disregard for his personal safety -- consciously and deliberately risked his life to move to and secure the live enemy grenade and consciously throw the grenade away from his fellow Rangers, according to battlefield reports.
As Petry released the grenade in the direction of the enemy, preventing the serious injury or death of Higgins and Robinson, it detonated and catastrophically amputated his right hand.
With a clear mind, Petry assessed his wound and placed a tourniquet on his right arm. Once this was complete, he reported that he was still in contact with the enemy and that he had been wounded again.
After the blast that amputated Petry's hand, Roberts began to engage the enemy behind the chicken coop with small arms fire and a grenade. His actions suppressed the insurgents behind the chicken coop. Shortly after, another enemy on the east end of the courtyard began firing, fatally wounding Gathercole.
Higgins and Robinson returned fire and killed the enemy.
Moments later, Sgt. 1st Class Jerod Staidle, the platoon sergeant, and Spc. Gary Depriest, the platoon medic, arrived in the outer courtyard. After directing Depriest to treat Gathercole, Staidle moved to Petry' s position. Staidle and Higgins then assisted Petry as he moved to the casualty collection point.
Higgins later wrote in a statement, "if not for Staff Sergeant Petry's actions, we would have been seriously wounded or killed."
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Comments
OIF 2009 (not verified)
June 2, 2011 - 12:15pm
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ArmyStrong
SFC Petry is the very definition of ArmyStrong. Best wishes to him on his re-integration and continued success with the Army.
Terry Watson (not verified)
June 2, 2011 - 1:26pm
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Good job
Semper Fidelis to SFC Petry. As an Army, NJ National Guard, and then a Marine Corps veteran I am always happy when a service person gets recognized for their heroic actions. Today's US service members are the best in the world, and continue to make us citizens proud of them. We love you all. Ooohrahhh!!!
Scott P (not verified)
June 2, 2011 - 3:00pm
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Rangers lead the way!
SFC, Your performance that day saved lives. Thank you for your service to our nation and for looking out for your fellow Rangers. Scripture is clear: " Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Most people cannot fathom how the "creed" is well apart of the Ranger life:
Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.
Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some.
Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.
Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.
Thank you again for serving. I count it an honor to have served in the same army.
Airborne All The Way!
John Hatton (not verified)
June 2, 2011 - 3:00pm
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It has been many years since
It has been many years since I served in far away and hostile places. It still saddens to see good men wounded and killed as like many, I lost friends and comrades in far away places . Yet, examples like this show that our fine fighting men still have courage and face the enemy without hesitation. The American fighting men, and women, continue to show the skill and bravery that made us, and keeps us, great. Thank God for them and may He bless them all.
Manning (not verified)
June 2, 2011 - 4:30pm
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MOH Award
I know that I am going to take tremendous feedback for this, but the question is, were Petry's actions worthy of the level of valor distinction associated historically with awarding of the MOH. I am sorry, but there are hard core close quarters combat stories over the last ten years, which far exceed Petry's heroism. YES, I acknowledge his heroic action. But this is combat guys, we all know that. What about the Marines who served in Fallujah (sp?), there are accounts of incredible valor and gallentry in those operations, as example only. In my opinion, Petry's actions are a reflection of war and actions which take place routinely and go unrecognized. I do not believe, with what I understand, that Petry's actions rise to the level of awarding the MOH. There is no doubt his actions were heroic and life saving, I simply question whether it rises to the level of an MOH.
Scott (not verified)
June 2, 2011 - 4:43pm
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Worthy
While I understand your comments, it is not easy to make these decision. For the MOH to be awarded, the combat report and information from his peers were all apart of the decision. People do not intentionally seek an MOH. I am sure that there are many who this award could be tagged to. Take for instance, Dick Winters of the 506th PIR and his exploits during the Normandy invasion. There are those still lobbying for this to be awarded. Regardless, we need to celebrate the decision for awarding this fine soldier the MOH. Let's not turn this into who deserves it the most.
Paul Johnson US... (not verified)
June 2, 2011 - 7:24pm
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SFC Petry Medal of Honor
SFC Petry displayed the courage of action based on his devotion to duty and his men. The word hero is sometimes used to frequently. SFC Petry probably does not think of himself as a hero, heros usually don't. His actions and the words from those he saved are the legacy he leaves for his four children and future generations."Self Sacrfice for Others"! Well done SFC Petry!
Razor-24 (not verified)
June 2, 2011 - 8:45pm
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Strength and Honor.
Strength and Honor.
Razor-24 (not verified)
June 2, 2011 - 8:45pm
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Strength and Honor.
Strength and Honor.
Manning (not verified)
June 2, 2011 - 10:09pm
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MOH Award
Scott, I regret (with completed respect for your comments) that I disagree. I understand after action reports, et.al., been there, done that, however it is "exactly" about "who deserves the MOH the most." There is an historic standard which needs to be protected and guarded, and never lowered. There are appropriate medals for valor and gallantry, up to but not including the MOH, which would in my opinion, be more appropriate in this particular instance. I am sure that we could walk through Walter Reed or Bethesda, or meet with Wounded Warriors, and learn of experiences filled with equal or far more heroic valor. In the end, I am not debating whether or not S/Sgt Petry's actions are worthy of distinction, as they clearly were, and I am proud of everyone who has served and sacrificed; I just have a differing opinion on the value of awarding the MOH and under what circumstances.
SSGT US Army Vi... (not verified)
June 3, 2011 - 4:54am
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MOH
Your MOH Medal can be worn proudly and stand for every honorable action by all Service Men. Stand tall and proud, you earned it.
Don R. Holloway (not verified)
June 3, 2011 - 6:14am
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Army Ranger to receive Medal of Honor
As a 12-year veteran of the U.S. Navy (enlisted March 1972), I am always inspired to hear about men like SFC Petry who are willing to risk everything to save their fellow soldiers. To SFC Petry: I am honored to call you a true American hero. We will always need men of courage in our Armed Forces, and you represent the best of the best. Thank you for your service to our country and congratulations on winning the Medal of Honor. You can wear it with pride, and remember--all of us Veterans see a part of ourselves in you and we can all be proud that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Thank you again.
Robert Ireland
June 10, 2011 - 12:33am
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SFC Petry's service to this
SFC Petry's service to this country at the sacrifice of one hand while saving the lives of his fellow Rangers is a hero worthy of the MOH. That he continues to serve as a Ranger is a testiment to his loyalty and fortitude. He will need it because, as testified to by other living recipients, living up to the honor after its award is harder than earning it in the first place.
I salute you SFC Petry, you epitomize RANGER.
IanBell840 (not verified)
December 28, 2011 - 6:15am
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This kind of information is
This kind of information is rare in the internet. Very helpful post.
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