Leroy Petry is a former United States Army Sergeant First Class who was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States, for his extraordinary acts of valor and selflessness during a combat operation in Afghanistan. Petry was born on July 29, 1979, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
On May 26, 2008, Petry, serving as a weapons squad leader in the 75th Ranger Regiment, was involved in a daring daylight raid to capture a high-value target in Paktia Province, Afghanistan. During the mission, his unit came under heavy enemy fire, and Petry’s actions demonstrated exceptional heroism and sacrifice.
As his team maneuvered towards the target building, an enemy grenade was thrown into their vicinity. Without hesitation, Petry grabbed the live grenade and attempted to throw it away from his fellow soldiers. However, the grenade detonated as he released it, severely injuring his right hand and causing him to lose several fingers.
Despite his critical injuries, Petry demonstrated incredible composure and continued to lead and communicate with his unit. He applied a tourniquet to his own arm and assisted in applying a tourniquet to a wounded comrade, saving his life. Petry’s calmness and quick thinking in the midst of intense combat undoubtedly saved the lives of his fellow Rangers.
Petry’s courageous actions and unwavering commitment to his team were an inspiration to all who witnessed them. His exceptional leadership and selflessness under fire rallied his comrades and allowed the mission to continue despite the chaos and danger.
For his extraordinary heroism and selflessness, Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in a White House ceremony on July 12, 2011. Petry’s actions exemplify the highest ideals of military service, reflecting the unwavering commitment to duty, honor, and the protection of his fellow soldiers. He is a true hero and an inspiration to all members of the United States Army and the entire military community.
Medal of Honor Citation
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 May 26, 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