Death Toll Revised Down to 24 After Monstrous Oklahoma Tornado…100+ Injured…Children Among the Dead…Stunning Pictures…Woman Finds Dog During Interview!

WATCH on TheBlaze TV: Latest Updates on Tornado Aftermath, Including Updates From Glenn Beck in Oklahoma

Government

Meet the Army’s Latest Medal of Honor Recipient

Jun. 1, 2011 10:16am Jonathon M. Seidl

Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry.

SEATTLE (AP) — President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor to a Washington state-based Army sergeant who lost his hand in Afghanistan when he tried to toss an enemy grenade away from himself and two colleagues.

Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry will be the second living, active-duty service member to receive the nation’s highest military decoration for actions in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars. Last year, Obama awarded a Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta, also for actions in Afghanistan.

Petry was being recognized for courageous actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in the eastern Afghan province of Paktia in May 2008, the White House statement said. The 31-year-old native of Santa Fe, N.M. will receive the medal in a ceremony July 12, a White House statement said Tuesday.

“It’s very humbling to know that the guys thought that much of me and my actions that day, to nominate me for that,” Petry told the Army News Service.

Officials at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the base south of Seattle where Petry works with injured Rangers returning from deployment, referred calls to Army headquarters. A spokesman at headquarters did not immediately return calls seeking comment Tuesday.

According to the Army News Service, Petry was serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment when he was wounded during a rare daylight raid to capture a high-value target. Petry was clearing the courtyard of a targeted compound with Pvt. 1st Class Lucas Robinson when they came under fire.

A bullet pierced both of Petry’s legs, and he and Robinson took cover by a chicken coop. As Sgt. Daniel Higgins arrived, a grenade was thrown from the other side of the coop, landed about 30 feet away and exploded, wounding Higgins and Robinson.

A second grenade landed even closer to the three wounded Rangers – just a few feet away. Petry grabbed it and tried to toss it away, but it exploded in his hand.

“If not for Staff Sgt. Petry’s actions, we would have been seriously wounded or killed,” Higgins later wrote in a report cited by the Army News Service.

Petry placed a tourniquet on his own right arm before reporting that he had been wounded again and that the firefight was ongoing. Two other soldiers, Staff Sgt. James Roberts and Spc. Christopher Gathercole, came to their aid. Gathercole was shot and killed by an enemy firing from another part of the courtyard; Higgins and Robinson returned fire and killed him.

Petry enlisted in the Army in September 1999, the White House statement said. He completed multiple combat tours totaling 28 months of deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Previous decorations include two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and three Army Commendation Medals.

Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (100)

Mr. Oshawott
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:27pm
The true actions of bravery! Of course, it’s sad that it had to be this treasonous President that’ll be rewarding First Class Seageant Leroy Petry the Medal of Honor, but, aside from that, Leroy can go home a happy American wearing that Medal, for his selfless action of defending his allies from that grenade while knowing that he himself would potentially perish in the explosion made him well worthy of it.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
inexiletill2012
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:22pm
If you read the Blaze, SFC Petry……….

Thank you

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
RLTW
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:21pm
A warrior’s poem I found many years ago.

Battle is a joyous thing. We love each other so much in battle. If we see that our cause is just and our kinsmen fight boldly, tears come to our eyes. A sweet joy rises in our hearts, in the feeling of our honest loyalty to each other; and seeing our friend so bravely exposing his body to danger in order to fulfill the commandment of our Creator, we resolve to go forward and die or live with him on account of love. This brings such delight that anyone who has not felt it cannot say how wonderful it is. Do you think someone who feels this is afraid of death? Not in the least! He is so strengthened, so delighted, that he does not know where he is. Truly, he fears nothing in the world.

Hooah Ranger Petry, Rangers Lead The Way!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Professional Infidel
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 6:28pm
  I get choked up reading that poem. God Bless all Warriors of freedom.
  
  Report this comment
TRILO
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:13pm
May God Bless him and all the other wonderful soldiers who keep our country safe.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
usa2stay
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:12pm
God Bless SFC Petry! I hope Americans think about him, his fellow soldiers, our police officers and first responders when they start to complain about traffic congestion or their jobs or their lives in general.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ripcord506
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:09pm
I salute and congratulate you for you being awarded the congressional medal of honor for your bravery. My condolences to the family of gathercole,he was also a hero,he gave his life for his country.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
bifgroovey
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:54am
(salute)

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
publicuss
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:46am
Thank you, SFC Petry for your service to the Republic!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Seasoldier
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:36am
“Petry placed a tourniquet on his own right arm before reporting that he had been wounded again and that the firefight was ongoing…..Petry enlisted in the Army in September 1999, the White House statement said. He completed multiple combat tours totaling 28 months of deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Previous decorations include two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and three Army Commendation Medals.” Today’s soldiers are fighting a different kind of war, serving multiple combat tours in disparate areas of operations. In other battles in other wars, soldiers who were wounded disposing of grenades might have received a lesser award. However, the totality of the situation in which this action occurred probably rated the MOH. When a man “puts a tourniquet on his own arm” after his hand disappears before his eyes and then continues the firefight while refusing treatment until the firefight is over and all his buddies are safe, after having already served “multiple combat tours”, he has earned which ever award his superiors present. Congratulations to Sgt. Petry and may God continue to help our nation produce such heroes. And, yes, these are the heroes about which our children should be taught. Semper Fi.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Michael
  Posted on June 2, 2011 at 10:04pm
  I sometimes wonder if the Medal of Honor is enough. It is truly sad that the majority of soldiers who have received this honor have done so posthumously. It does the heart good to see one stand and receive his.
  
  Report this comment
The Widow
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:22am
Thank you SFC Petry.

It is the Congressional Medal of Honor. Congress awards it. Obama presents it.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
bjornskis
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:14am
not one word about himself or I I I I I like obamer

should be a learning moment for Obama

I would refuse to shake hands with the pres

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
TheDebtWeAllPay
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:13am
thank you for your sacrifices sgt Petry true meaning of the word hero

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Drum Man
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:07am
I salute you Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry.
Well done Sir. Thank you!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
possumbait2
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:48am
In my eyes, every military person ever to receive a wound, be it fatal or not, deserves the MOH, along with the PH. They are ALL HERO’S..

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- BOMUSTGO
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:55am
  Frank Burns on M*A*S*H got the Purple Heart for a shell fragment in his eye!!…He was peeling a hard boiled egg at the time.
  
  Report this comment
commonsenseguy
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:46am
tank you sir,for you heroic bravery ,we need more heroes in this country, i will continue to pray for not only you sir, but every American service men,thank you for sacrificing yourself for others,you sir are what America represents, courage, honor,and patriotism.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Vickie Dhaene
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:45am
God Bless our Soldiers., for they are the brave. I hold them in my heart as I pray for their safety.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
bryan69
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:43am
I agree that this is a great warrior, But the medal of honor? Really? I don’t rank this as a medal of honor story. A great survival story, yes. The medal of honor is for above and beyond the call risking life, etc. Sounds to me like the life he saved was his own as he should and he was doing his best to kill the enemy in the process, I’m sure. What am I missing?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- BOMUSTGO
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:49am
  He risked his life saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.You would have just wet your pants!
  
  Report this comment
- BOMUSTGO
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:51am
  A lot of Medal of Honor winners say, they were just doing their job.He was recomended for it, and it was approved!
  
  Report this comment
- libertyghost
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:09pm
  They don’t just hand these things out. I’m sure that if you read the entire recommendation, you’d see that. I’m sure there was good reason to give it to him. If you had both your legs shot out from under you, and then a grenade went off just feet from your position, pushing shards of metal into you and your buddy and your ears were ringing from the blast, would you still have the focus to react that fast and do what he did? Would you have enough focus to put a tourniquet on your own arm when all you could see was that your hand was gone (and all the while staying calm and not screaming for help until the fight was over)? I feel confident that he earned the right to stand with other MOH recipients. He’s made more of a sacrifice for this country than most.
  
  Report this comment
- meeester
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:44pm
  Not to minimize his service but bryan69 makes a valid point.
  
  Report this comment
- 0-3Ret
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 1:10pm
  Sorry BOMUSTGO, SFC Petry didn’t win anything, but he did earn and will be AWARDED the Medal of Honor. Sorry to be a PITA, but slips of the tongue regarding medals earned in combat rankle me more than just a bit.
  
  Report this comment
- Coldheart
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:00pm
  You are either a retired pogey bait or just a jackass.
  
  People like you make me want to call Lee Ermey and send him to you for a visit.
  
  Sergeant First Class Perry lost a hand saving his guys in a vicious urban firefight. With multiple wounds he recovered himself and put a tournequet on his stump and kept fighting.
  
  Yes you missed something! Experience, terror, pain, traumatic shock, loss of pints of blood, and of course his hand. You sir belong in the loony bin. It was people like you who spit on on guys forty-five years ago and you still are not worth a tinker’s hoot!
  
  Report this comment
BOMUSTGO
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:42am
Too bad Obumbler has to be the one decorating the Nations Highest Medal to a real hero..Him winning the peace prize for not doing anything for it is like awarding the medal of Honor to someone just out of Bootcamp!!! Hero meets Zero!!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- 0-3Ret
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 1:06pm
  Mr. Osha, I know it must be a slip of the tongue (so to speak) but you do not “WIN” any military medal, especially those combat related. You are awarded the medal, whichever one it is.
  
  Report this comment
- Old Greybeard
  Posted on June 2, 2011 at 5:13pm
  I say AMEN and AMEN
  
  Report this comment
Jenny Lind
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:32am
God bless this brave, good man. What an example to us all.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Marylou7
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:44am
  Thank God for these brave men and women. May God help the rest of us do our part.
  
  Report this comment
- fixer
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 1:02pm
  Amen.
  
  Report this comment
completehorsesense
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:32am
KJV Psalms 144 comes to mind. Our sevice men and women are the best!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- shofar
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 4:19pm
  Matthew 5:9
  9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. NIV
  
  And no I do not want to get into a ******* match with someone about who peacemakers are. Those that keep us safe, whether in the military, law enforcement etc are the peacemakers of this country.
  
  Report this comment
Bigliardi
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:28am
In Vietnam, a soldier threw himself on an enemy grenade which did not explode…Imagine the horror of waiting….and waiting….for it to explode. In my opinion he should have been awarded the Medal of Honor…..He was not recommended….

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Coldheart
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 3:43pm
  I suspect a lot of the rules have changed. In Nam you had to be an officer.
  
  Running outside the perimeter to doctor our guys and then drag them both back by their collars didn’t even rate a good conduct medal. Funny how our GI’s in Nam came home with bunches of foreign medals and then they were told they couldn’t wear them. Yes, I’m still peeowed that my combat medic brother was treated like manure after spending 5/67-7/68 in the boonies. When he got into Idelwild he was busted by a pogey bait e-5 for having nothing on his left breast but his Combat Medic’s Badge.
  Oh, they also decided to take away his Dustoff badge because he hadn’t be to school (He flew over a hundred missions into hot LZ’s). Yeah, TET 68! HUE, etc. and zippo, nada, nuttin’!
  
  Thank GOD for men like Sergeant 1st Class Perry, and may GOD bless him abundantly.
  
  Report this comment
nzkiwi
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:28am
Courage exemplified.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- NOBALONEY
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:17am
  affimative
  
  Report this comment
Ironeagle
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:24am
Huah.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
NickDeringer
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:22am
Teach your kids about real heroes. Teach them that there are things bigger than themselves. Teach them that every generation must do their part to preserve our liberty.

Kudos to Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Bigliardi
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:30am
  Amen…..
  
  Report this comment
- lovenfl3
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:30am
  Right on Nick. We need to teach our kids who the “real” heroes are, and the list doesn’t include Snookie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXPpBLlc1U
  
  Report this comment
- D0ntTread0nMe
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:48am
  It always amazes me that the best of us decide to serve. They make us great because they are such good people. Thank you for your service sir!!
  http://www.mythoughtsfromthemiddle.blogspot.com
  
  Report this comment
- GODSAMERICA
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:51am
  You couldn’t have said it better nick. These are our true heroes, unfortunately though, they have to try to dishonor our heroes like Petry by having him receive a greatly deserved award like the Medal of Honor from someone who is totally against our heroes and our freedoms and our nation. Petry has every right to be proud and feel worthy of receiving the medal even from someone like that.
  
  Report this comment
TruthTalker
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:22am
Notice how he expressed his appreciation to his fellow soldiers and didnt talk about himself. I wonder if Obama will do the same……

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- biohazard23
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:05am
  Not a snowball’s chance in hell of that happening.
  
  Congratulations to Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry. Good job, soldier!
  
  Report this comment
- theonefromabove
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:26am
  Thank you sir.
  
  http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
  
  Report this comment
- Robert-CA
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:35am
  These are our HEROES .
  Thank You & GOD Bless our HEROES .
  
  Report this comment
- meeester
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:41pm
  I think you will come to understand that he performed heroically because of his admiration for The Obama.
  (bow head)
  
  Report this comment
- CitizenVetUSA
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:43pm
  I expect O bla bla to assume center stage and take a victory lap for himself explaining in great detail his heroic role played.
  
  Report this comment
- shakedowncrews
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:44pm
  Obama: “This Sarjunt here is a brave dude, for a haoli, here’s your medal. OKAY, so…where’s your commanding officer son? We’ve got a golf game to dash off to. Do you play? Oh, silly me, you’ve only got one hand. So what’s your handicap? Bwahahaha I crack myself up. Now seriously folks…”
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 1:51pm
  Hoo-Ah! SFC Petry! You have served your country and service so very well!
  
  Report this comment
- Professional Infidel
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 2:17pm
  Being an Ex Army guy, I’m especially proud. Any branch can have that kind of soldier. Keep on kicking ASS guys.
  
  Report this comment
- My Sacred Honor
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 2:23pm
  On first glance of the headline, I was skeptical of the action warrenting the Congressional Medal of Honor, but reading the whole story, I Salute and congratulate Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry for actions that not only saved injury and possible lives, he carried on AFTER tournequetting his own arm.
  And by the way, any armed forces member in uniform presenting the CMH is REQUIRED a Salute, even if he/she is a private and the one facing him/her is a 4 star General. Because they by God rate that Salute.
  
  Now. Lets get these guys the eff out of there and have no more CMH recipiants for a long, long time.
  
  Semper Fi, Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry. Your Nation is greatful!
  
  Report this comment
- My Sacred Honor
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 2:25pm
  Ammended:
  
  “HOOAH!! Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry….”
  
  GOD that was hard for this Marine to do…meh…
  
  Report this comment
- My Sacred Honor
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 2:27pm
  Hey, INFEDEL, have you seen THIS awesome story? You want to be proud of your branch, check out THIS hard core mother trucker!
  
  http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/sun_coast/soldier-stops-bank-robbery-suspect-05312011
  
  Report this comment
- rangerp
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 3:50pm
  Rangers lead the way.
  
  Report this comment
- My Sacred Honor
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 5:44pm
  rangerp
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 3:50pm
  Rangers lead the way.
  
  Well, yeah, following the path the Marines on the beech left for ya…lol
  
  Report this comment
- Cemoto78
  Posted on June 1, 2011 at 9:25pm
  I salute you Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry, job well done your an inspiration. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
  
  Report this comment
- JoKerr
  Posted on June 2, 2011 at 1:04am
  MY SACRED HONOR, Rangers don’t use beaches, they use parachutes.
  
  Report this comment
- scarface699
  Posted on June 2, 2011 at 2:36pm
  JoKerr
  Duh… Marines use parachutes as well.
  
  Report this comment
- UPSETVET
  Posted on June 2, 2011 at 3:50pm
  America salutes the courage and bravery of Sgt 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry for his service above and beyond the call of duty. The Congressioanl Medal of Honor he will be decorated with by the POTUS in July, while being the highest honor our country can betow upon our miliatry heroes, it’s not sufficient enough to express our gratitude for his sacrifice. All our military personel are heroes and we thank each and every one for their faithful and courageous service to our country. In the words of Britain’s former Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, “Never have so many, owed so much, to so few”. Thank you one and all !
  
  Report this comment
- von der Recht
  Posted on June 2, 2011 at 4:15pm
  Salute………
  
  Report this comment
- Utahdrifter
  Posted on June 2, 2011 at 11:30pm
  bho giving credit to someone other than himself. snort–chuckle-laugh
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.