Since National Medal of Honor day is being celebrated today, here’s a list of the five most recent recipients from the war in Afghanistan.
Starting with the most recent:
Staff Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts:
While Staff Sergeant (SSG) Pitts was providing perimeter security at an observation post, it came under attack from over 200 militants using rocket-propelled grenades (RPG), machine guns, and small arms fire. SSG Pitts was immediately wounded by shrapnel when a sudden wave of RPG fire struck the observation post, inflicting heavy casualties. Despite heavy bleeding, SSG Pitts took control of the observation post and began returning fire on the enemy forces. He held the closing enemies off with grenades until a two-man reinforcement team could arrive. Being severely wounded, he surrendered his primary weapon and ammunition to them and continued throwing grenades until they were expended.
With total disregard for his own life, he crawled to the closest radio post. With enemies so close that he could hear their individual voices, he whispered information to the command post so that they could provide indirect fire support. Ultimately, he was rewarded for his “courage, steadfast commitment to the defense of his unit and ability to fight while seriously wounded” and preventing the enemy from gaining a fortified position on high ground.
He was medically discharged in 2009 and now works in business development.
Corporal William Kyle Carpenter:
Corporal (Cpl) Carpenter was a member of a platoon-sized coalition force that was sent to a small village to disrupt enemy activity and provide security for the village’s population. He and another marine were positioned on a rooftop security position when enemy forces initiated an attack using grenades, one of which landed on the rooftop. Without hesitation, Cpl Carpenter threw himself in front of his fellow marine so that his body would absorb the brunt of the blast. He was severely wounded in his right arm and face, losing his right eye and most of his teeth.
Remarkably, Cpl Carpenter not only saved his comrade, but he survived and lived to tell about it. He now pursues a degree in international studies at the University of South Carolina.
Sergeant Kyle J. White:
While Sergeant (SGT) White was serving as a radio telephone operator, he and other soldiers on their way back to an outpost were attacked while traversing through a narrow path that was surrounded by mountainous terrain. SGT White and his comrades were attacked from elevated positions and pinned against a steep mountain face, completely exposed to enemy fire. SGT White returned fire until an RPG impacted close by and briefly knocked him unconscious. He regained consciousness and was wounded again as an AK-47 round shattered on a rock and sent shrapnel into his face. He shook off his wounds and immediately rushed to begin giving medical aid to wounded soldiers.
Once he realized that his radio was inoperable, he then further exposed himself to enemy fire so he could secure a radio from a deceased comrade. SGT White then provided information to friendly forces allowing them to provide precision airstrikes to stifle enemy attacks and send medical evacuation aircraft to rescue him and his allies.
He recovered from his injuries and continued to serve until 2011. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, where he majored in finance. He now works as an investment analyst with the Royal Bank of Canada.
Major William D. Swenson:
Major (MAJ) Swenson was en route to a village for a meeting with its elders when more than 60 well-armed, well-positioned enemy fighters ambushed his combat team. As the enemy unleashed a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades, mortar and machine gun fire, Captain Swenson immediately returned fire and coordinated and directed the response of his Afghan Border Police, while simultaneously calling in suppressive artillery fire and aviation support.
He voluntarily went into the 'kill zone' along with others to not only fend off attack after attack, but also direct medical evacuation helicopters by lying on the ground with a red marker covering his body making him easily distinguishable to the eyes of both friend and foe.
MAJ Swenson is the only living Medal of Honor recipient still on active duty.
See raw footage of his actions below (along with his famous forehead kiss of fellow soldier, Sergeant Kenneth Westbrook):
Staff Sergeant Ty Michael Carter:
SSG Carter and his comrades were awakened by an attack by an estimated 300 enemy fighters occupying high ground positions on all four sides of the base. The enemy employed concentrated fire from recoilless rifles, RPGs, anti-aircraft machine guns, mortars, and small arms. SSG Carter reinforced a forward battle position, ran twice through a 100 meter gauntlet of enemy fire to resupply ammunition and voluntarily remained there to defend the isolated position. Armed with only an M4 carbine rifle, Specialist Carter placed accurate, deadly fire on the enemy, beating back the assault force and preventing the position from being overrun, over the course of several hours.
SSG Carter, without hesitation and in spite of his own wounds, ran through a barrage of machine gun fire and mortars to give life-extending aid to a critically wounded soldier who had been pinned into an exposed position. He then recovered a radio and began coordinating the soldiers’ evacuation of the base. SSG Carter, with fire support from allies, picked up the wounded soldier and made another extended dash through enemy fire to place the man at a first aid station before returning to the fight. In the end, SSG Carter played a key role in the defense of the base and prevented the enemy from capturing the position.
Carter left active service in 2014 and now works to remove the stigma of PTSD, a condition from which he has suffered.
So, on this very special day, fly your flags with pride and patriotism and remember our nation’s heroes who sacrifice so much to serve and protect us.