WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is awarding the Medal of Honor to an Afghanistan war veteran, Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry, for courageous actions during combat in Afghanistan in May, 2008.
The White House says Petry will be the second living, active-duty service member to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Petry, a native of Santa Fe, N.M., was shot in both legs and then lost a hand while throwing an enemy grenade away from himself and two fellow Army Rangers — all the while continuing to call out orders so that his unit could fulfill its mission, according to soldiers who served with him.
