Jared Christopher Monti was a United States Army soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor. He was born on September 20, 1975, in Abington, Massachusetts.
Jared Monti enlisted in the Army in 1993 and became a member of the 10th Mountain Division. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
On June 21, 2006, during his deployment in the Nuristan Province of Afghanistan, Monti’s platoon was engaged in a fierce firefight with a large and determined enemy force. Three times, Monti attempted to rescue a fellow soldier, Specialist Brian Bradbury, who had been separated from the platoon and was critically wounded.
During his first two attempts, Monti came under intense enemy fire and was forced to retreat. Undeterred, on his third attempt, he again advanced through a hail of gunfire to reach Bradbury. Despite his own vulnerability and exposed position, Monti began treating Bradbury’s wounds and provided cover with his own weapon.
Tragically, during the rescue attempt, Monti was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Despite the valiant efforts of his comrades and medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries.
Jared Monti’s extraordinary courage, selflessness, and dedication to his fellow soldier exemplified the highest traditions of the military. His actions saved the lives of numerous members of his platoon and demonstrated exceptional heroism.
On September 17, 2009, President Barack Obama posthumously presented the Medal of Honor to Jared Monti’s parents during a ceremony at the White House. He became the first recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. His citation reads: “Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a team leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, on June 21, 2006.”
Jared Monti’s sacrifice and devotion to his comrades serve as a powerful reminder of the bravery and selflessness exhibited by members of the U.S. military. His legacy continues to inspire and honor the spirit of service and sacrifice.
Medal of Honor Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant First Class Monti distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a team leader with the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on 21 June 2006. On that day, Sergeant First Class Monti was leading a mission to gather intelligence and to direct fires against the enemy in support of a squadron-size interdiction mission. While at an observation position on top of a mountain ridge, Sergeant First Class Monti’s sixteen-man patrol came under attack by a superior force consisting of as many as 50 enemy fighters. On the verge of being overrun, Sergeant First Class Monti directed his patrol to set up a hasty defensive position behind a collection of rocks. He then began to call for indirect fire from a nearby support base; accurately bringing the rounds upon the enemy who had closed to within 50 meters of his position. While still calling for fire, Sergeant First Class Monti personally engaged the enemy with his rifle and a grenade, successfully disrupting an attempt to flank the patrol. Sergeant First Class Monti then realized that one of his Soldiers was lying wounded and exposed in the open ground between the advancing enemy and the patrol’s position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant First Class Monti moved from behind the cover of the rocks into the face of withering enemy fire. After closing within meters of his wounded Soldier, the heavy volume of fire forced Sergeant First Class Monti to seek cover. Sergeant First Class Monti then gathered himself and rose again to maneuver through a barrage of enemy fire to save his wounded Soldier. Again, Sergeant First Class Monti was driven back by relentless enemy fire. Unwilling to leave his Soldier wounded and exposed, Sergeant First Class Monti made another attempt to move across open terrain and through the enemy fire to the aid of his wounded Soldier. On his third attempt, Sergeant First Class Monti was mortally wounded, sacrificing his own life in an effort to save his Soldier. Sergeant First Class Monti’s acts of heroism inspired the patrol to fight off the larger enemy force. Sergeant First Class Monti’s immeasurable courage and uncommon valor were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, 3d Squadron 71st Cavalry Regiment, the 3d Brigade Combat Team, the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), and the United States Army.