Medal of Honor: Ryan M. Pitts – Afghanistan, July 13, 2008

Name: Ryan M. Pitts
Rank: Sergeant
Conflict: War in Afghanistan
Unit: Company C, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army
Date of Action: July 13, 2008
Location: Vehicle Patrol Base Kahler, Wanat Village, Kunar Province, Afghanistan

Summary of Action:
In the early hours of July 13, 2008, high in the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan, Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts and his brothers-in-arms of Chosen Company were attacked by a well-coordinated force of over 200 enemy fighters. Positioned at Observation Post Topside, Sgt. Pitts was serving as a forward observer—his job to coordinate indirect fire. But as the enemy launched an overwhelming barrage of rocket-propelled grenades, machine gun fire, and small arms, the mission became one of survival.

The first wave of RPGs landed with devastating force, wounding Sgt. Pitts and killing or severely injuring nearly everyone around him. Bleeding profusely from his arms and legs, unable to stand, and near death, Pitts refused to give in. He fought from the ground—holding grenades with the pin pulled for maximum effect before hurling them into enemy ranks, suppressing their advance even as they crept within earshot. When two reinforcements arrived, Pitts handed off his weapon and crawled to redistribute ammo and direct fire support, prioritizing their survival over his own.

When the last of his grenades were gone, Pitts crawled to a radio position and began whispering situation reports—his voice calm, steady, and low, so close was the enemy. With total disregard for his own life, he fed crucial targeting information to the command post, enabling accurate indirect fire that held the enemy at bay.

His resolve under fire and refusal to abandon his post was the difference between life and death for the Americans still fighting at the base below. His actions prevented the enemy from capturing fallen U.S. soldiers, overrunning the OP, or seizing the high ground—which would have allowed them to decimate the entire patrol base.

Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts’ courage that day, and his refusal to quit despite mortal danger and grievous wounds, stands as one of the most heroic acts of the post-9/11 era.

Medal of Honor Citation:
Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of heroism at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Forward Observer in 2d Platoon, Chosen Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade during combat operations against an armed enemy at Vehicle Patrol Base Kahler in the vicinity of Wanat Village, Kunar Province, Afghanistan on July 13, 2008. Early that morning, while Sergeant Pitts was providing perimeter security at Observation Post Topside, a well-organized Anti-Afghan Force consisting of over 200 members initiated a close proximity sustained and complex assault using accurate and intense rocket-propelled grenade, machine gun and small arms fire on Wanat Vehicle Patrol Base. An immediate wave of rocket-propelled grenade rounds engulfed the Observation Post wounding Sergeant Pitts and inflicting heavy casualties. Sergeant Pitts had been knocked to the ground and was bleeding heavily from shrapnel wounds to his arm and legs, but with incredible toughness and resolve, he subsequently took control of the Observation Post and returned fire on the enemy. As the enemy drew nearer, Sergeant Pitts threw grenades, holding them after the pin was pulled and the safety lever was released to allow a nearly immediate detonation on the hostile forces. Unable to stand on his own and near death because of the severity of his wounds and blood loss, Sergeant Pitts continued to lay suppressive fire until a two-man reinforcement team arrived. Sergeant Pitts quickly assisted them by giving up his main weapon and gathering ammunition all while continually lobbing fragmentary grenades until these were expended. At this point, Sergeant Pitts crawled to the northern position radio and described the situation to the Command Post as the enemy continued to try and isolate the Observation Post from the main Patrol Base. With the enemy close enough for him to hear their voices and with total disregard for his own life, Sergeant Pitts whispered in the radio situation reports and conveyed information that the Command Post used to provide indirect fire support. Sergeant Pitts’ courage, steadfast commitment to the defense of his unit and ability to fight while seriously wounded prevented the enemy from overrunning the Observation Post and capturing fallen American soldiers, and ultimately prevented the enemy from gaining fortified positions on higher ground from which to attack Wanat Vehicle Patrol Base. Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts’ extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Company C, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade and the United States Army.