Medal of Honor: Jared C. Monti – Afghanistan – June 21, 2006

Name: Jared C. Monti
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: War in Afghanistan
Unit: Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
Date of Action: June 21, 2006
Location: Nuristan Province, Afghanistan

Summary of Action

On 21 June 2006, Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti was serving as a team leader with a sixteen-man patrol conducting operations in the rugged mountains of Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.

The mission was intended to gather intelligence and direct supporting fires against enemy forces operating in the region. As the patrol moved through difficult terrain, it suddenly came under attack by an estimated fifty enemy fighters.

Facing the danger of being surrounded and overrun, Monti quickly directed his soldiers to establish a defensive position behind a rock formation that offered the only available cover.

As the enemy closed the distance, he called for indirect fire support and skillfully adjusted the incoming rounds, bringing them dangerously close to his own position in order to halt the advancing attackers.

While directing supporting fires, he simultaneously engaged the enemy with his rifle and hand grenades, helping disrupt an attempt to flank the patrol.

During the battle, one of his soldiers was wounded and left lying in open ground between the enemy and the patrol's defensive position.

Without hesitation, Monti attempted to reach the wounded soldier despite intense enemy fire sweeping the terrain.

His first rescue attempt was driven back by the volume of fire.

Undeterred, he attempted a second time, again exposing himself to direct enemy fire in an effort to save his comrade.

Still refusing to abandon the wounded soldier, Monti made a third attempt to cross the open ground.

As he advanced toward his fallen comrade through a storm of enemy bullets, he was mortally wounded.

His selfless actions inspired the members of his patrol to continue the fight and ultimately repel the larger enemy force.

Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti's extraordinary courage, devotion to his fellow soldiers, and willingness to sacrifice his own life rather than leave a wounded comrade behind reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

MONTI, JARED C.

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

Place and date: Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, 21 June 2006.

Citation:

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 in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Afghanistan. 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.