medal of honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President in the name of Congress on members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.
TimesPresident Obama on Tuesday awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry, U.S. Army, in the East Room of the White House. Sergeant Petry lost his right hand during combat operations in Paktya, Afghanistan in May 2008 while tossing away an insurgent grenade that could have killed two of his fellow Army Rangers in Afghanistan.
Today President Obama awarded the nation’s highest military honor to Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry for his courageous actions in combat in Afghanistan, explaining “this is the stuff of which heroes are made.”

Petry, a 31-year-old Army Ranger from New Mexico, is the second living, active duty service member to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry looks at family members during a ceremony awarding him the Medal of Honor at the White House July 12, 2011 in Washington, DC. Petry, who received the medal for his courageous actions during operations in Paktia, Afghanistan, in May 2008, is the second living, active duty service member to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.