Valor And Bravery: Medal Of Honor Recipients From The Afghanistan War

Since the War in Afghanistan began in 2001, 20 U.S. servicemen have received the Medal of Honor for their actions in the country. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. To receive the award, a service member must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Of the roughly 2.5 million service members who have deployed to Afghanistan, 16 have received the Medal of Honor. Five of the 20 awards were given posthumously.

Criteria for receiving the Medal of Honour

The Medal of Honor is the highest military award in the United States, recognising acts of valor by soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen. The medal is awarded by the President of the United States and is presented in the name of the United States Congress. It is the oldest continuously issued combat decoration of the US Armed Forces.

The Medal of Honor is awarded to those who have "distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their life above and beyond the call of duty". The act of valor must occur in one of the following circumstances:

• While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States.
• While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.
• While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The deed performed must be one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice, clearly distinguishing the individual above their comrades and involving a risk of life. The recommendation process can take over 18 months, with intense scrutiny at every step of the way.

The Medal of Honor is never considered "won", but rather bestowed upon the recipient to carry as a symbol of the sacrifices made by all who have served.

Recipients of the Medal of Honour

Since the War in Afghanistan began in 2001, 20 U.S. servicemen have received the Medal of Honor for their actions in the conflict, with five of these medals awarded posthumously. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. It is awarded to those who have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States.

Michael P. Murphy

Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005. Murphy led a reconnaissance team against a mass of enemy troops, exposing himself to hostile fire to call for help, sacrificing his life for his teammates.

Jared C. Monti

Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions in Afghanistan on June 21, 2006. Monti was killed in action while attempting to rescue a wounded soldier from heavy enemy fire.

Robert James Miller

Army Staff Sergeant Robert James Miller was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions in Afghanistan on January 25, 2008. Miller drew fire from over 100 enemy fighters, allowing his teammates to reach cover. His actions saved the lives of his teammates.

Ronald J. Shurer II

Staff Sergeant Ronald J. Shurer II received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan on April 6, 2008. Shurer risked his life multiple times to save injured soldiers, braving enemy fire, using his body to shield the injured, and providing medical aid.

Matthew Williams

Sergeant Matthew Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Afghanistan's Shok Valley on April 6, 2008. Williams saved the lives of four critically wounded soldiers and prevented the assault force from being overrun.

Leroy Petry

Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan on May 26, 2008. Despite being shot in both legs, Petry saved his fellow Rangers by picking up and throwing a live grenade, resulting in the amputation of his right hand.

Salvatore Giunta

Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley on October 25, 2007. Giunta risked his life to save a wounded soldier from being captured, engaging the enemy and providing medical aid despite being under heavy fire.

Ty Carter

Staff Sergeant Ty Carter received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan on October 3, 2009. Carter repeatedly risked his life under enemy fire, administering first aid, obtaining ammunition, and helping to carry the wounded to safety.

Clinton Romesha

Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Kamdesh on October 3, 2009. Romesha risked his life to save soldiers by organizing and repelling an attack against Taliban forces, maintaining radio communication, and orchestrating a successful plan to secure and reinforce key points on the battlefield.

Edward Byers

Chief Edward Byers was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan on December 8-9, 2012. Byers helped rescue an American civilian being held hostage, saving the lives of the hostage and several of his comrades.

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal

Personnel who have been engaged in combat with an enemy force, or personnel who have been wounded in combat within Afghanistan, may receive the ACM regardless of the number of days spent within the country. The medal is also awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries such as accidents and mishaps.

Campaign phases and devices:

The following are the approved campaign phases and respective dates for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal:

• Liberation of Afghanistan
• Transition II (for Operation FREEDOM's SENTINEL pursuant to USD(P&R) memorandum dated February 13, 2015)

The following ribbon devices are authorized for wear on the Afghanistan Campaign Medal:

• Campaign stars (all branches)
• Arrowhead device (Army, Air Force, and Space Force)
• Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia (Navy personnel assigned to a Marine Corps unit in combat)
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Since the start of the War in Afghanistan in 2001, 20 U.S. servicemen have received the Medal of Honor for their actions in the country, with five of these medals awarded posthumously.

The War on Terror Medal of Honour

The first service member to be awarded the Medal of Honour for actions during the War on Terror was Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith. Smith was posthumously awarded the medal in 2005 by President George W. Bush. On April 4, 2003, Smith coordinated the defence of over 100 US soldiers who came under attack near Baghdad, Iraq. Despite being surrounded by enemy forces, Smith fought them off with hand grenades, anti-tank weapons, and a truck-mounted machine gun, exposing himself to direct enemy fire. He suffered mortal wounds while saving the lives of wounded soldiers, who were rescued while he provided protective fire.

The first living recipient of the Medal of Honour for actions during the War on Terror was Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta. President Barack Obama awarded Giunta the medal in 2010. On October 25, 2007, Giunta's platoon was on patrol in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley when they were hit with an ambush from fighters only 10 metres away. Giunta left a covered position to give first aid to his wounded squad leader. He was shot twice but recovered and bounded towards the enemy to push them back. When he noticed two Taliban fighters dragging away one of the wounded soldiers, he chased after them, killing one and forcing the other to flee.

Other notable recipients of the Medal of Honour for actions during the War on Terror include:

• Navy SEAL Senior Chief Petty Officer Britt Slabinski, awarded the medal in 2018 for his actions during Operation Anaconda in 2002. Slabinski's helicopter was shot down over Takur Ghar mountain in Afghanistan, and he fought off insurgent forces through deep snow, exposing himself to direct enemy fire. He also carried a wounded teammate to safety while calling in airstrikes for protection.
• Air Force Technical Sergeant John Chapman, posthumously awarded the medal in 2018 for his actions during the Battle of Robert's Ridge on March 4, 2002. Chapman's helicopter was downed by a rocket-launched grenade, and he led the effort to rescue a teammate who had been thrown from the aircraft. He fought through enemy gunfire for over an hour, ignoring numerous injuries in his attempt to save Navy SEAL Neil Roberts.
• Staff Sergeant Leroy Petry, awarded the medal in 2011. On May 26, 2008, Petry was shot through both legs but still managed to save his fellow Rangers by picking up and throwing a live grenade, which exploded and destroyed his right hand.
• Corporal Jason Dunham, posthumously awarded the medal in 2007. On April 14, 2004, Cpl. Dunham jumped on a grenade to save the lives of two of his squad members. He survived the blast but died on April 22 from his injuries.

The history of the Medal of Honour

The Medal of Honor is the United States' highest military award for valor in combat. It was first authorized in 1861 for Sailors and Marines, and the following year for Soldiers. Since then, more than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to members of all DoD services and the Coast Guard.

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The Medal of Honor is awarded sparingly and only to the bravest of the brave. The medal is normally awarded by the President of the United States and is presented in the name of the United States Congress.

The Medal of Honor was introduced for the Naval Service in 1861, soon followed by the Army's version in 1862. The Air Force used the Army's version until they received their own distinctive version in 1965. The Medal of Honor is the oldest continuously issued combat decoration of the United States Armed Forces.

The first Medals of Honor were awarded and presented to six U.S. Army soldiers ("Andrews Raiders") on March 25, 1863, by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, in his office at the War Department. Private Jacob Parrott, a U.S. Army volunteer from Ohio, became the first actual Medal of Honor recipient, awarded for his volunteering for and participation in a raid on a Confederate train in Big Shanty, Georgia, on April 12, 1862, during the American Civil War. After the medal presentations, the six decorated soldiers met with President Lincoln in the White House.

The Medal of Honor has undergone numerous legislative, design, and presentation changes while still retaining what makes it truly special—its status as the United States' highest award for military valor in action.

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