Sgt. Jared Monti To Receive Medal Of Honor
By Wyatt Earp | July 25, 2009
After a week of political shenanigans and racial unrest, it is nice to see a story about something really important: the courageous service of the members of our armed forces serving abroad.
Staff Sergeant Jared Monti, 31, of Raynham, MA, was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 21, 2006 while saving another solider. For his actions, Staff Sergeant Monti will receive the military’s highest award: the Congressional Medal of Honor.
WASHINGTON — An Army staff sergeant will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor after he sacrificed his own life in an effort to save another soldier in Afghanistan, the White House said Friday.
Staff Sgt. Jared Monti will receive the medal, the nation’s highest military honor, on September 17 for his actions in combat, the White House said in a statement. His parents, Paul and Janet Monti, “will join the president at the White House to commemorate their son’s example of selfless service and sacrifice.”
Monti’s reconnaissance team occupied a surveillance position when they were attacked near Gowardesh, Afghanistan, and he was killed by enemy fire, the Web site says.
The White House statement said Monti “displayed immeasurable courage and uncommon valor — eventually sacrificing his own life in an effort to save his comrade,” but did not provide details of his actions.
Sergeant Monti was apparently the personification of courage and valor, as is seen by his service record:
Monti’s military decorations already included the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, five Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals and three National Defense Service Medals, the White House statement said. He is survived by his parents, his sister and brother and a niece. (H/T – CNN)
Godspeed, Sergeant Monti, and thank you so very much for your service to this great nation.
Topics: The Troops | 10 Comments »
July 25th, 2009 at 9:39 am
I have been saddened by the lack of the Congressional Medals of Honor given out during this combat. Two National Guardsmen from kansas drove their Hummer into a car to protect their convoy and when it blew up they were killed. The excuse for not giving them the medal. It was their job. No, it was not. These guys were artillerymen assigned to convoy duty and they went beyond the scope of their duty and it cost them their lives to protect others. I do thank the Monti family for raising a son who took steps to help other team members when he knew it could cost him his life. Our Military members are priceless and all of our liberty and rights are derrived by their actions. Freedom isn’t free.
MUD, COL FA (Ret)
July 25th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Amen.
July 25th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I am pleased to see this: It is long overdue.
In the UK and the Commonwealth we have not been so prejudiced against awarding our highest honour, the Victoria Cross (and the equivalent medal in other countries). For details, see the Wiki article on the VC:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Cross
The Victoria Cross is awarded for:
“… most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.”
I do not for one moment believe with several VCs awarded for service in Iraq and Afghanistan that there are not an equivalent number of American servicemen meriting similar recognition.
(For information and unlike the Medal of Honour, the VC is small and plain to the point of being shabby. The decoration is a bronze cross pattée, 41 mm high, 36 mm wide, bearing the crown of Saint Edward surmounted by a lion, and the inscription FOR VALOUR. This was originally to have been FOR THE BRAVE, until it was changed on the recommendation of Queen Victoria, as it implied that not all men in battle were brave. The decoration, suspension bar and link weigh about 0.87 troy ounces (27 g). The reverse of the suspension bar is engraved with the recipient’s name, rank, number and unit. On the reverse of the medal is a circular panel on which the date of the act for which it was awarded is engraved in the centre. The ribbon is crimson, 38 mm (1.5 inches) wide.)
July 25th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Sorry to go OT but it is related:
“The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Gordon Brown led tributes to Harry Patch, the last surviving British soldier of the First World War, who died today at the age of 111.
“Mr Patch, known as the Last Tommy, passed away peacefully just before 9am at Fletcher House nursing home in Wells, Somerset.
“He had become Britain’s oldest man for just a few days when another veteran of the war, Henry Allingham, died on July 18 aged 113.
“The only remaining British veteran of the First World War is now Claude Choules, 108, who served in the Royal Navy and now lives in Perth, Australia.”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202104/Harry-Patch-Britains-oldest-man-survivor-Great-War-trenches-dies-aged-111.html#ixzz0MHqb23QL
July 25th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Gald to hear it. God Bless his family.
July 25th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
MUD – I wouldn’t compare my profession to the military – I hold the military in higher regard – but the PPD is the exact same way. Very few commendations are given out for outstanding jobs. The reason? Sergeants and lieutenants don’t want to do the paperwork.
Seriously.
Alan B – I heard about Harry last night. A sad passing. As for the VCs, I think there is a stigma attached to this combat here, and that may be the reason for the lack of medals. I may be wrong, but that’s my take.
Rick – Amen to that.
July 25th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
God bless you Sergeant Monti.
July 26th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Becky – Amen to that.
August 12th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
My son served with Staff Sgt Monti on that hill in Afghanistan and was there when he died. This man held respect by all of his men. While all men and women who serve in the war are heros in my eyes, Staff Sgt Monti was a hero in the eyes of his men. My son will be present when Sgt Monti is awarded his Medal of Honor. I hope it is televised for America to also be proud and show support of the families.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
I can say I personally served with SFC Monti in Afghanistan and he was the type of NCO that would never let a soldier down, soldiers first, he was a true, true leader from the front and the best the ARMY could have. SFC Monti this is well deserved and you earned it. God Bless!!!!!
SFC Peters
FT Drum, NY