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Medal of Honor Recipient Joins Fellow Heroes in 'Hall'
(July 15, 2011) |
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| WASHINGTON, July 13, 2011 – The second living recipient of
the Congressional Medal of Honor from the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan was inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the
Pentagon today.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A. Petry,
who was awarded the Medal of Honor yesterday by President
Barack Obama, was inducted into the Hall of Heroes during a
ceremony hosted by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta. |
Medal of Honor recipient Army Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A. Petry receives
a photo and citation during a ceremony to induct him into the Hall
of Heroes from Army Secretary John McHugh as Defense Secretary Leon
E. Panetta and Petry's wife, Ashley, applaud during a ceremony at
the Pentagon, July 13, 2011.
DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey |
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“This is really a great privilege for me, as one of my first
acts as Secretary of Defense, to be able to honor a great
American hero,” Panetta said. “I've had a long career in
this town. I've worked in a number of capacities, but I
can't tell you what a great honor it is for me personally to
honor someone like Sergeant Petry, an Army Ranger, whose
historic actions saved the lives of other soldiers.”
“I often say that the greatest test of life is whether you
make a difference,” he continued. “Someone who saves the
lives of others makes a difference, and that's what you
did.”
The defense secretary talked about Petry's
heroic efforts and commended Navy Adm. Eric T. Olson,
commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, for the
ongoing efforts of his troops.
“Most Americans can't
imagine the kind of life [and] death decisions Sergeant
Petry had to face that day in Paktika [province]. These are
the burdens that confront the men and women in uniform
serving in harm's way every day,” Panetta said.
“A
member of the U.S. Army's storied 75th Ranger Regiment,
Sergeant Petry's actions speak to the extraordinary
accomplishments of the special operations forces that have
been at the center of the fight this past decade,” Panetta
continued.
“Admiral Olson ... I can't tell you how
important they've been to our ability to take on the mission
that we've been assigned, particularly to dismantle,
disrupt, and ultimately defeat al-Qaida. It was a special
forces team that we employed on that attack on the compound
that held [Osama] bin Laden,” he said.
Panetta led
the group of senior military officials in welcoming Petry
into the Hall of Heroes during a the unveiling of his name
on a plaque.
“Today, Leroy Petry's name joins the
hallowed ranks of other Medal of Honor recipients listed on
this wall. He is truly a representative of a new generation
of Americans who have answered the call during almost a
decade of war,” Panetta said.
“In paying tribute to
him,” Panetta said, “we also celebrate a generation that is
fighting for a better life, a better America, and a better
world.”
Petry expressed his gratitude as he stood
before some of his fellow rangers, four other Medal of Honor
recipients and a slew of senior military leadership.
“I'm humbled by this ceremony, your words, and your
presence. I particularly want to thank my wife, Ashley,
[and] our children ... it was their love and support that kept
me going on this journey,” Petry said.
“And I would
like to thank my fellow rangers ... the 75th Ranger Regiment
has been continuously deployed over 3,500 days since the
start of the war on terrorism. During that time, 55 of my
fellow ranger brothers have been killed in both Afghanistan
and Iraq,” he said.
Petry passionately implored the
nation to remember his fellow service members who gave their
lives for their country.
“As you have recognized me
today, I ask that you continue to pay tribute and never
forget those rangers and all other men and women of the
armed services that have made the ultimate sacrifice,” he
said.
“Please keep their families in your thoughts
and prayers. It has been my honor to serve
shoulder-to-shoulder with all servicemembers, defending our
nation for almost 12 years. And I look forward to my
continued service with you,” Petry said. “Thank you and
rangers lead the way.”
Other senior military leaders
spoke during the induction, praising Petry for his selfless
actions.
“Sergeant Petry joins a small, elite group
of American warriors who hold our nation's highest military
honor. Thank you so much for being here and your continued
service as well,” Army Secretary John McHugh said.
Army Chief of Staff General Martin E. Dempsey described the
Petry family as “all-Americans” as he spoke of Petry's
service.
“This is an all-American family. They are
tight, they love each other, they are supportive of each
other, [and] they could not be more polite and courteous,”
he said.
“When I think about the Hall of Heroes, I'm
struck by how fortunate we are as a country to have
generation after generation [of] men and women like Sergeant
First Class Petry,” Dempsey said. “He represents the best of
our nation and today we honor his valor, unbending.”
Olson, the SOCOM commander, spoke directly to Petry, on
behalf of the Special Forces community to which they both
belong.
“Leroy, you epitomize the spirit and ethos of
our nation's most intrepid warriors,” he said. “On behalf of
a grateful and respectful special operations community, I
salute you.” | |
By Army SFC Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2011
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