Ryan Pitts awarded the Medal of Honor
Previous Medal of Honor recipients (bottom) applaud members of former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts' unit 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade (top) during a White House ceremony awarding Pitts the Medal of Honor for gallantry in Afghanistan, while in the East Room at the White House in Washington, July 21, 2014.
Medal of Honor ceremony
A military aide holds former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts' Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony honoring Pitts (not pictured) for gallantry in Afghanistan, in Washington July 21, 2014.
Medal of Honor ceremony
President Barack Obama and Ryan M. Pitts, a former active duty Army Staff Sergeant, arrive for the Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, July 21, 2014. Staff Sergeant Pitts received the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving as a Forward Observer with 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, during combat operations at Vehicle Patrol Base Kahler, in the vicinity of Wanat Village in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on July 13, 2008.
Medal of Honor ceremony
President Barack Obama awards Ryan M. Pitts, a former active duty Army Staff Sergeant, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, July 21, 2014.
Medal of Honor ceremony
President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to former Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House July 21, 2014.
Medal of Honor ceremony
President Barack Obama turns toward former Army staff sergeant Ryan M. Pitts, after bestowing him with the Medal of Honor in the East Room of the White House Monday, July 21, 2014. Pitts is the ninth living recipient of the nation's highest decoration for battlefield valor for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Medal of Honor ceremony
President Barack Obama applauds Medal of Honor recipient former Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts following a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, July 21, 2014.
Medal of Honor ceremony
Ryan M. Pitts, a former active duty Army Staff Sergeant, stands after being awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C, July 21, 2014.
Medal of Honor ceremony
U.S. President Barack Obama applauds the unit members of Medal of Honor recipient former Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, July 21, 2014.
Medal of Honor ceremony
Former Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Pitts from the 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, makes a statement to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House after he was presented with a Medal of Honor at an East Room ceremony, July 21, 2014.