26MAY2008: With his unit tasked with the kill or capture of a high value target, SSG Leroy Petry and his men exited the aircraft and almost immediately came under fire. Quickly neutralizing one target, Petry moved to one of the target compounds and staged with one of his men to enter. Stepping into the courtyard, Petry and one other Ranger were hit and wounded by enemy fire. Quickly, the two moved to a covered position behind a small building. Shortly joined by another Ranger, the three prepared for the enemy to round the corner at any moment. Instead, they were knocked to the ground by a blast of a grenade that was lobbed over the wall. Sitting up, Petry noticed a second grenade that had just come to rest behind his two Soldiers. Without hesitation, Petry lunged forward and picked up the grenade to throw it away from his guys. Just as he did so, it detonated, severing his hand at the wrist. Administering self-aid, Petry continued the mission until he was brought to a casualty collection point and evacuated for medical treatment. For his selfless act in saving the lives of his two Soldiers, SSG Leroy Petry would be awarded the Medal of Honor in 2011. Rather than medically retire, he would re-enlist, deploy again to Afghanistan and stay in service until 2014.

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