40 Facts About Leroy Petry

Leroy Arthur Petry was born on July 29,1979 and is a retired United States Army soldier.

Leroy Petry received the US military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in Afghanistan in 2008 during Operation Enduring Freedom.

On May 26,2008, during his seventh deployment, Leroy Petry was a member of a team on a mission to capture a Taliban target in Paktia Province.

Leroy Petry saved the soldiers' lives but the grenade exploded, severing his right hand.

Leroy Petry became the second recent living recipient of the medal for the war in Afghanistan in 2011 when he received the award from US President Barack Obama.

Leroy Petry was born on July 29,1979, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Larry and Lorella Petry, of Mexican-American descent.

Leroy Petry is the third of five sons, with older brothers Larry Armando and Lloyd, and younger brothers Lyndon and Lincoln.

Leroy Petry attended Santa Fe High School but was a poor student; he repeated his freshman year.

Leroy Petry graduated in 1998; his was the last class to graduate from St Catherine before it closed.

Leroy Petry spent the next year studying at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Leroy Petry worked at the vehicle maintenance department of Pecos Public Transportation with his father and grandfather, and made signs at a local business, Al's Signs.

Leroy Petry attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Leroy Petry had a total of eight deployments: two supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and six supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Leroy Petry was assigned to D Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, which was on a daylight raid to capture a high-value target from the Taliban.

Leroy Petry was to locate with the platoon headquarters in the target building once it was secured.

Leroy Petry provided additional supervision to an assaulting squad during the clearance of a building, and afterward he took Private First Class Lucas Robinson to clear an outer courtyard.

Leroy Petry led Robinson to the cover of the chicken coop, and reported the contact and their wounded condition.

Leroy Petry likely saved the two other soldiers from serious injury or death.

Leroy Petry's wounds resulted in his right arm having to be amputated below the elbow.

Leroy Petry was evacuated to an American hospital in Germany, where he spent several weeks in recovery before being transferred to Carl R Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, Texas.

Leroy Petry now uses an advanced prosthetic in place of his right hand.

Leroy Petry was later promoted to the rank of sergeant first class.

Leroy Petry received the Medal of Honor from US President Barack Obama on July 12,2011, in a ceremony at the White House.

Leroy Petry is the second living recipient of the medal, after Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, for actions occurring after the Vietnam War.

Leroy Petry is the ninth recipient for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Leroy Petry has learned to golf, hunt, water ski, and drive all terrain vehicles with use of his prosthetic hand.

In 2010, Leroy Petry re-enlisted in the US Army for an indefinite term of service.

Leroy Petry was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, where he served as a liaison officer for United States Special Operations Command's Care Coalition Northwest Region.

Leroy Petry assisted ill and injured Rangers as well as their families.

In 2011, Leroy Petry began attending Pierce College, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in business management.

On July 23,2014, Leroy Petry was promoted to Master Sergeant and was awarded the Legion of Merit during his retirement ceremony.

Leroy Petry was inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Maurice.

Leroy Petry officially retired from the United States Army on July 29,2014, after nearly 15 years of service.

On Veterans Day 2014, Leroy Petry was featured on The Concert for Valor.

In January 2015, Master Sergeant Jose Rodela and Leroy Petry attended the All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

In 2015 and 2016, fellow Medal of Honor recipients Meyer, and Clint Romesha, and Leroy Petry became involved in the movie Range 15.

In 2017, Leroy Petry was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning.

MSG Leroy Petry went on to accuse Lt Col Vindman of "spotlighting", a term used to describe casting of oneself in an exceptionally positive light by highlighting oneself as a hero.

Still under enemy fire, and wounded in both legs, Staff Sergeant Leroy Petry led the other Ranger to cover.

Leroy Petry then reported the situation and engaged the enemy with a hand grenade, providing suppression as another Ranger moved to his position.