Army Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry, a Ranger who lost his right hand and sustained shrapnel wounds while throwing a live grenade out of harm’s way, will receive the Medal of Honor from President Obama during a July 12 White House ceremony. Petry earned the honor during a May 26, 2008, firefight in Paktya, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord-based Company D, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at the time. The action involved an effort to secure a building during mission to capture a high-value target. Even though an enemy round struck him through both legs, Petry risked his life to throw the enemy grenade away from three soldiers who were moving in to rescue him and another wounded comrade. The grenade exploded as he was throwing it, blowing his hand off. Petry placed a tourniquet on his wounded arm. Fellow soldiers suppressed the enemy fire and rescued Petry and his fellow soldier. According to the citation, Petry’s action saved the lives of his rescuers.
