september june soldier united_states_army received united_states military highest decoration medal honor actions afghanistan deployed unit attacked group enemy insurgents soldier wounded attempted rescue times killed action president signed authorization receive medal honor medal presented family ceremony white house medal honor presentation obama presidency sixth person wars iraq afghanistan awarded medal honor early life born massachusetts september paul school teacher grew massachusetts child adventurous character later earn medal honor military year old disappeared backyard day mother found later hanging hood fence occasion kept home school left house later found climbing tree graduated age siblings sister brother military service enlisting army march completed basic training forward observer training fort oklahoma continued training fire support specialist served staff sergeant sergeant 10th previous service afghanistan deployed sustained injuries sky diving rejected medical discharge deploy unit afghanistan february task force medal honor action june served assistant leader man patrol leader weapons forward observer team tasked gathering intelligence province northeastern afghanistan team established small base ridge support larger army operation valley larger operation delayed team ran low provisions helicopter brought supplies revealed team position evening patrol attacked group insurgents established positions wooded ridge yards patrol attempted team americans took cover returned fire artillery close air support enemy fire killed staff soldier specialist severely wounded left lying open enemy team position staff sergeant leader patrol sniper team called going try rescue replied guy going attempts reach advanced feet forced intense machine gun rocket propelled grenade rpg fire second try similarly turned rest patrol provided covering fire advanced time struck rpg news reports indicated explosion blew legs supported family accounts military records attempted crawl cover reported comrades peace god asked sgt tell parents loved died moments later time artillery air support called began hitting enemy position killing attackers rest subsequently died evacuation cable rescue lifting medical company air ambulance helicopter broke fall killed staff maryland burial medal honor ceremony buried section site massachusetts army posthumously promoted sergeant class july president barack_obama signed authorization receive medal honor action medal presented family president formal ceremony white house september recipient honor medal established american_civil_war additionally second medal honor recipient conflict afghanistan navy seal received medal military awards personal decorations include medal honor citation conspicuous gallantry action risk life duty sergeant class distinguished cost life serving team leader headquarters squadron afghanistan june day sergeant class leading mission gather intelligence direct fires enemy support squadron size mission observation position mountain ridge sergeant class sixteen man patrol came attack superior force consisting enemy fighters verge overrun sergeant class directed patrol set hasty defensive position collection rocks began indirect fire nearby support base accurately bringing rounds enemy closed meters position calling fire sergeant class personally engaged enemy rifle grenade successfully disrupting attempt flank patrol sergeant class realized soldiers lying wounded exposed open ground advancing enemy patrol position complete disregard safety sergeant class moved cover rocks face enemy fire closing meters wounded soldier heavy volume fire forced sergeant class seek cover sergeant class gathered rose maneuver barrage enemy fire save wounded soldier sergeant class driven relentless enemy fire unwilling leave soldier wounded exposed sergeant class attempt open terrain enemy fire aide wounded soldier attempt sergeant class mortally wounded sacrificing life effort save soldier sergeant class acts heroism inspired patrol fight larger enemy force sergeant class courage uncommon keeping highest traditions military service reflect great credit 10th united_states_army honors january submitted petition designate state owned bridge town motion passed state senate approved bridge renamed fire training facility fort oklahoma trained named honor fort drum renamed honor songwriter number country hit drive truck revealed wrote song listening father paul public radio program answer asked son memory
Jared C. Monti