Meet the Army’s Latest Medal of Honor Recipient
- Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:16am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
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.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 706 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 551 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 368 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 362 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 362 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 362 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 368 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 282 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 149 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 362 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (100)
Mr. Oshawott
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:27pmThe 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 Post »inexiletill2012
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:22pmIf you read the Blaze, SFC Petry……….
Thank you
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:21pmA 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 Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 6:28pmI get choked up reading that poem. God Bless all Warriors of freedom.
Report Post »TRILO
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:13pmMay God Bless him and all the other wonderful soldiers who keep our country safe.
Report Post »usa2stay
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:12pmGod 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 Post »ripcord506
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:09pmI 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 Post »bifgroovey
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:54am(salute)
Report Post »publicuss
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:46amThank you, SFC Petry for your service to the Republic!
Report Post »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 Post »Michael
Posted on June 2, 2011 at 10:04pmI 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 Post »The Widow
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:22amThank you SFC Petry.
It is the Congressional Medal of Honor. Congress awards it. Obama presents it.
Report Post »bjornskis
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:14amnot 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 Post »TheDebtWeAllPay
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:13amthank you for your sacrifices sgt Petry true meaning of the word hero
Report Post »Drum Man
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:07amI salute you Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry.
Report Post »Well done Sir. Thank you!
possumbait2
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:48amIn 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 Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:55amFrank 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 Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:46amtank 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 Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:45amGod Bless our Soldiers., for they are the brave. I hold them in my heart as I pray for their safety.
Report Post »bryan69
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:43amI 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 Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:49amHe risked his life saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.You would have just wet your pants!
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:51amA lot of Medal of Honor winners say, they were just doing their job.He was recomended for it, and it was approved!
Report Post »libertyghost
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:09pmThey 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 Post »meeester
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:44pmNot to minimize his service but bryan69 makes a valid point.
Report Post »0-3Ret
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 1:10pmSorry 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 Post »Coldheart
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:00pmYou 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 Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:42amToo 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 Post »0-3Ret
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 1:06pmMr. 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 Post »Old Greybeard
Posted on June 2, 2011 at 5:13pmI say AMEN and AMEN
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:32amGod bless this brave, good man. What an example to us all.
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:44amThank God for these brave men and women. May God help the rest of us do our part.
Report Post »fixer
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 1:02pmAmen.
Report Post »completehorsesense
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:32amKJV Psalms 144 comes to mind. Our sevice men and women are the best!
Report Post »shofar
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 4:19pmMatthew 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 Post »Bigliardi
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:28amIn 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 Post »Coldheart
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 3:43pmI 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 Post »nzkiwi
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:28amCourage exemplified.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:17amaffimative
Report Post »Ironeagle
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:24amHuah.
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:22amTeach 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 Post »Bigliardi
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:30amAmen…..
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:30amRight 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 Post »D0ntTread0nMe
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:48amIt 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!!
Report Post »http://www.mythoughtsfromthemiddle.blogspot.com
GODSAMERICA
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:51amYou 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 Post »TruthTalker
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 10:22amNotice how he expressed his appreciation to his fellow soldiers and didnt talk about himself. I wonder if Obama will do the same……
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:05amNot a snowball’s chance in hell of that happening.
Congratulations to Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry. Good job, soldier!
Report Post »theonefromabove
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:26amThank you sir.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 11:35amThese are our HEROES .
Report Post »Thank You & GOD Bless our HEROES .
meeester
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:41pmI think you will come to understand that he performed heroically because of his admiration for The Obama.
Report Post »(bow head)
CitizenVetUSA
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:43pmI expect O bla bla to assume center stage and take a victory lap for himself explaining in great detail his heroic role played.
Report Post »shakedowncrews
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:44pmObama: “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 Post »Elena2010
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 1:51pmHoo-Ah! SFC Petry! You have served your country and service so very well!
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 2:17pmBeing an Ex Army guy, I’m especially proud. Any branch can have that kind of soldier. Keep on kicking ASS guys.
Report Post »My Sacred Honor
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 2:23pmOn 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 Post »My Sacred Honor
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 2:25pmAmmended:
“HOOAH!! Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry….”
GOD that was hard for this Marine to do…meh…
Report Post »My Sacred Honor
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 2:27pmHey, 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 Post »rangerp
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 3:50pmRangers lead the way.
Report Post »My Sacred Honor
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 5:44pmrangerp
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 Post »Cemoto78
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 9:25pmI salute you Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry, job well done your an inspiration. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Report Post »JoKerr
Posted on June 2, 2011 at 1:04amMY SACRED HONOR, Rangers don’t use beaches, they use parachutes.
Report Post »scarface699
Posted on June 2, 2011 at 2:36pmJoKerr
Report Post »Duh… Marines use parachutes as well.
UPSETVET
Posted on June 2, 2011 at 3:50pmAmerica 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 Post »von der Recht
Posted on June 2, 2011 at 4:15pmSalute………
Report Post »Utahdrifter
Posted on June 2, 2011 at 11:30pmbho giving credit to someone other than himself. snort–chuckle-laugh
Report Post »