Whipped Cream Difficulties

Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry has become the second living recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions during conflict in Afghanistan.

Sergeant Petry, who was with the 75th Ranger Regiment at the time of his actions, became engaged in a firefight during a raid on an insurgent compound in Paktia. During the course of the firefight, Sgt. Petry was shot through both legs. Another Ranger near Sgt. Petry was hit in his body armor; Sgt. Petry led the other Ranger to a safe position behind a chicken coop and then re-engaged with the enemy.

He was near the chicken coop when a grenade tossed by insurgents exploded nearby, wounding two Rangers. When yet another grenade landed near the pair, Petry moved quickly to throw it in the direction of the insurgents. It detonated near his right hand.

Petry assessed the wound and placed a tourniquet on his own wrist, according to the Army field reports. He then reported to his comrades that he was still in contact.