Medal of Honor Month: Sergeant First Class Jared Monti
Sergeant First Class Jared Monti was a member of the United States Army. He earned a Medal of Honor for courageous action during the War on Terrorism in Afghanistan. Monti served with the 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Sergeant First Class Monti is from a small town about 50 miles south of Boston. He graduated from high school in 1994 and joined the Army soon after. Monti first trained as a fire support specialist. Then he became a member of the Fire Support Team with the 71st Calvary Regiment. Later, he served as a paratrooper in Kosovo, where he injured himself in action. Because of his injury, the Army offered a medical discharge. However, Monti refused. Then, in 2006, he deployed to Afghanistan.
'For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
'Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a team leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, on June 21, 2006.
'While Staff Sergeant Monti was leading a mission aimed at gathering intelligence and directing fire against the enemy, his 16-man patrol was attacked by as many as 50 enemy fighters. On the verge of being overrun, Staff Sergeant Monti quickly directed his men to set up a defensive position behind a rock formation. He then called for indirect fire support, accurately targeting the rounds upon the enemy who had closed to within 50 meters of his position. While still directing fire, Staff Sergeant Monti personally engaged the enemy with his rifle and a grenade, successfully disrupting an attempt to flank his patrol. Staff Sergeant Monti then realized that one of his Soldiers was lying wounded in the open ground between the advancing enemy and the patrol's position.
'With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Monti twice attempted to move from behind the cover of the rocks into the face of relentless enemy fire to rescue his fallen comrade. Determined not to leave his Soldier, Staff Sergeant Monti made a third attempt to cross open terrain through intense enemy fire. On this final attempt, he was mortally wounded, sacrificing his own life in an effort to save his fellow Soldier.
'Staff Sergeant Monti's selfless acts of heroism inspired his patrol to fight off the larger enemy force. Staff Sergeant Monti's immeasurable courage and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and the United States Army.' – Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Nevertheless, he is remembered for his heroism. On September 17, 2009, President Barack Obama presented Sergeant First Class Monti's family with his Medal of Honor during a ceremony at the White House. Listen to his remarks here.
Read more about the heroes of Afghanistan and Iraq who have received the Medal of Honor.
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