13JUL2008: Tasked with setting up a new outpost in the Waygal district of Nuristan province, SGT Ryan Pitts and his platoon made their way the district center of Wanat. Arriving on 08JUL2008, the platoon went about building the outpost but due to construction delays and logistics restrictions, progress was slow and far from complete after a few days. On the morning of the 13th, a group of approximately 200 enemy fighters assaulted the position from multiple directions. Starting the engagement with a concentration of RPG fire, the enemy force knocked out a few heavy weapons and hammered a small outpost, OP Topside, that protected the eastern edge of the new base. Sitting in OP Topside, SGT Pitts, along with the others alongside him, was wounded in the initial assault. Despite his wounds, SGT Pitts quickly got on with his defense of the American position. SGT Pitts responded with rifle fire, lobbing grenades as fighters came within mere yards of his position and helped to coordinate indirect strikes just outside the friendly lines. Seriously wounded, SGT Pitts held the position through a half hour of intense, close range combat. By holding his ground, SGT Pitts prevented the enemy from overrunning OP Topside and likely taking American prisoners in the process. For his actions, SGT Ryan Pitts would be awarded the Medal of Honor.

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