Celebrating Medal of Honor Day

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” —John 15:13

25 March is National Medal of Honor Day is an opportunity to recognize the recipients of our nation’s highest military award, and remember their extraordinary sacrifice on behalf of their brothers in arms and in defense of this Country and their Battle Buddies.

The first Medals of Honor were awarded on 25 March 1863 during the Civil War when the Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton presented the first Medals of Honor to six Union Army volunteers.

Today we highlight two recipients, who received their awards for gallantry and bravery over 140 years apart:

Frank Dwight Baldwin (June 26, 1842 – April 22, 1923), born in Michigan, Baldwin is one of only 19 servicemen to receive the Medal of Honor twice. Baldwin received his first award for his actions during the Atlanta Campaign in the Civil War where he led his company in battle, singly entering the Confederate enemy's line, capturing and bringing back 2 commissioned officers and a Georgia regimental flag. He received his second for conspicuous bravery in 1874 during a battle at McCellans Creek, Texas during the Indian Wars where he rescued two female white captives from a numerically superior Indian force. Baldwin holds the distinction of being the first recipient of the Medal of Honor in two different conflicts. He also fought in the Philippines during the Spanish–American War and rose to the rank of major general before retiring.

Leroy A. Petry born 29 July 1979 in Sante Fe, New Mexico while Staff Sergeant/E-6 and member of 2nd Battalion, 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger) distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the vicinity of Paktya Province, Afghanistan, on May 26, 2008. As a Weapons Squad Leader, Staff Sergeant Petry moved to clear the courtyard of a house that potentially contained high-value combatants. While crossing the courtyard, Staff Sergeant Petry and another Ranger were engaged and wounded by automatic weapons fire from enemy fighters. Still under enemy fire, and wounded in both legs, Staff Sergeant Petry led the other Ranger to cover. He then reported the situation and engaged the enemy with a hand grenade, providing suppression as another Ranger moved to his position. The enemy quickly responded by maneuvering closer and throwing grenades. The first grenade explosion knocked his two fellow Rangers to the ground and wounded both with shrapnel.

A second grenade then landed only a few feet away from them. Instantly realizing the danger, Staff Sergeant Petry, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, deliberately and selflessly moved forward, picked up the grenade, and in an effort to clear the immediate threat, threw the grenade away from his fellow Rangers. As he was releasing the grenade it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist and further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds. Although picking up and throwing the live grenade grievously wounded Staff Sergeant Petry, his gallant act undeniably saved his fellow Rangers from being severely wounded or killed. Despite the severity of his wounds, Staff Sergeant Petry continued to maintain the presence of mind to place a tourniquet on his right wrist before communicating the situation by radio in order to coordinate support for himself and his fellow wounded Rangers.