Military News, News From Iraq & Afghanistan - Military Times

Webtools

Click here for Military Times Webtools
http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2009/07/army_monti_update_072409w/
news/2009/07/army_monti_update_072409w

White House confirms Medal of Honor


By Gina Cavallaro - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jul 28, 2009 8:01:53 EDT

Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti, a fire support specialist who was killed June 21, 2006, in Afghanistan, will receive the Medal of Honor for his actions in combat.

The announcement was made by the White House in a news release Friday morning. The award will be presented to Monti’s parents in a Sept. 17 ceremony at the White House.

The soldier’s father, Paul Monti, told Army Times on Thursday that President Obama had called him Tuesday evening at his home in Raynham, Mass.

“The talk was very short and to the point. He said ‘Hello, how are you?’ and I said ‘Fine, Mr. President,’ and then he told me the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of Defense have approved Jared for the Medal of Honor,” said Paul Monti, a retired teacher. “He said he was proud of Jared.”

Sgt. 1st Class Monti, 30, was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, when he was killed.

He will become the sixth service member to receive the Medal of Honor during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the first soldier to receive the nation’s highest award for valor in Afghanistan. Navy Lt. Michael Murphy is the only other service member to have received the award for actions in Afghanistan.

All of the awards have been given posthumously.

The announcement of the award and the call from the president, Paul Monti said, is “bittersweet” after the loss of his son.

“I’m reliving all of this all over again. I’d much rather have him than any medal,” Monti said.

Sgt. 1st Class Monti was single and had aspired to be a teacher, like his father.

He told his father he didn’t want to marry until his commitment to the Army was complete.

“He told me ‘I’m not getting married while I’m in the military, I don’t want to leave a widow behind; I’ve seen too many of my soldiers go through that too many times,’ ” Paul Monti said.

Related reading

Fallen soldier to receive Medal of Honor

Military Times Hall of Valor



CONTRIBUTED Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti, 30, of Raynham, Mass., died in Gowardesh, Afghanistan, on June 21, 2006 when he encountered enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades during combat operations. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Calvary, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Contests and Promotions

Service Members Of The Year


promo Nominate Someone Today!
Know someone with whom you are proud to serve? Nominate them for a 2010 Military Times Service Members of the Year Award.

FREE AFG or IRQ I Served Sticker


promo Click here so we can send you a FREE AFG or IRQ I Served sticker

Win Military Times Outdoorsman Package


promo ENTER TO WIN...
This rugged package is for the serious outdoorsman and includes a CamelBak Hydration System, CamelBak Impact II CT gloves and more. Click here for more info.

Marketplace

Military Discounts


Save on your purchases!
In honor of your military service, you can find regular and name brand products at a special discount.

Shoplocal

  Shop Local
Local Online Deals
Find the best deals at your local stores.