President Obama Presents Medal of Honor

September 17, 2009

President Obama presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Jared Monti for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant First Class Monti received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions in combat in Afghanistan.

Sergeant First Class Jared Monti was on his second tour in Afghanistan in June of 2006.  Monti's unit was on a surveillance mission when they were suddenly ambushed. Outnumbered three to one, Monti and his men took cover from an avalanche of enemy fire.  One soldier was killed. But one of the wounded was out in the open, exposed to the enemy. Without hesitation, Monti left the safety of his position to try to reach his wounded soldier. Twice he was driven back by intense enemy fire. The third time, Monti was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. Mortally wounded, he asked his fellow soldiers to tell his parents, he loved them.