Army sergeant who held off Taliban attack receives Medal of Honor
On Monday afternoon, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to Ryan Pitts, a former Army sergeant who held off Taliban fighters in northeastern Afghanistan.
Pitts held his ground during 2008's Battle of Wanat, even after being hit by grenade shrapnel in one arm and both of his legs. He will be the ninth living recipient of the Medal of Honor, America's highest award for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Pitts has been modest about his award, however. Earlier this month, he told Here and Now that his work in Afghanistan was a "team effort." "It belongs to every man there that day, and I'll accept it on behalf of the team," Pitts told the news program. "It's not mine."
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Watch an ABC News report of Obama awarding Pitts the medal below. --Meghan DeMaria
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Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
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