- SURNAME
Petry
- FORENAME
Leroy Arthur
- UNIT
75 Ranger Regiment (Company D,2 Bn)
- RANK
Staff Sergeant
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Medal of Honor,Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster
- PLACE
Afghanistan 2008 (MoH)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Santa Fe,New Mexico
born 29.7.1979 Santa Fe,New Mexico
graduated St Catherine's Indian High School May 1998
employed,Pecos Public Transortation (maintenance) (1 year)
entered service September 1999 Santa Fe,New Mexico
2 tours Iraq,6 tours Afghanistan
awards Medal of Honor,Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster,Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
married Ashley (4 children)
WIA 26.5.2008 Paktya,Afghanistan
75 Ranger Regiment (HHC) (Sgt 1st Class) 2011
retired 2014 as Master Sergeant
CITATION:
Medal Of Honor : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Leroy A. Petry, United States Army. Staff Sergeant Leroy A. Petry distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the vicinity of Paktya Province, Afghanistan, on 26 May 2008. As a Weapons Squad Leader with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Staff Sergeant Petry moved to clear the courtyard of a house that potentially contained high-value combatants. While crossing the courtyard, Staff Sergeant Petry and another Ranger were engaged and wounded by automatic weapons fire from enemy fighters. Still under enemy fire, and wounded in both legs, Staff Sergeant Petry led the other Ranger to cover. He then reported the situation and engaged the enemy with a hand grenade, providing suppression as another Ranger moved to his position. The enemy quickly responded by maneuvering closer and throwing grenades. The first grenade explosion knocked his two fellow Rangers to the ground and wounded both with shrapnel. A second grenade then landed only a few feet away from them. Instantly realizing the danger, Staff Sergeant Petry, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, deliberately and selflessly moved forward, picked up the grenade, and in an effort to clear the immediate threat, threw the grenade away from his fellow Rangers. As he was releasing the grenade it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist and further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds. Although picking up and throwing the live grenade grievously wounded Staff Sergeant Petry, his gallant act undeniably saved his fellow Rangers from being severely wounded or killed. Despite the severity of his wounds, Staff Sergeant Petry continued to maintain the presence of mind to place a tourniquet on his right wrist before communicating the situation by radio in order to coordinate support for himself and his fellow wounded Rangers. Staff Sergeant Petry's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, 75th Ranger Regiment, and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/3956
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