Armed Forces News

Former Army Staff Sgt. Ryan M. Pitts received the Medal of Honor from President Obama during a July 21 White House ceremony, for valor the soldier displayed during a July 13, 2008 firefight. During the presentation, Obama described how Pitts and several comrades were attacked at their observation post on the perimeter of Vehicle Patrol Base Kahler, near Wanat, Afghanistan, by an overwhelming number of enemy fighters. The initial attack killed our wounded all of the U.S. and Afghan army defenders at the post. Even though Pitts was bleeding from shrapnel wounds, he fought back against the attackers with hand grenades, and manned a machine gun at one point. “The enemy was so close Ryan could hear their voices,” Obama recounted. Pitts eventually was the only survivor at the post, but still fought back until he nearly ran out of ammunition. Once reinforcements did arrive, Pitts continued to direct air strikes against the attackers – even though the friendly rounds were landing dangerously close to his position. The air strikes ultimately caused the insurgent attackers to fall back, and the fight ended. In accepting the honor, Pitts said he did so in remembrance of the nine men who died that summer day.