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SFC Jared Monti in Afganistan, 2006
(Photo courtesy of
U.S. Army) |
"Unwilling to leave his Soldier wounded and exposed, Staff Sgt.
Monti prepared to make a third attempt to get to the wounded
Pfc. Bradbury. This time, Monti yelled back to the patrol
members behind the rocks that he needed more cover fire. He
coordinated with Sgt. Hawes to fire 40mm grenades from his M203
launcher onto the enemy position, while other members of the
patrol would provide cover fire. Timing his movement to the
sound of the exploding 40mm rounds, Staff Sgt. Monti, for a
third time, rose from his covered position and moved into the
open, knowing he again would be the focus of the enemy fire.
On his third attempt, Staff Sgt. Monti took several lunging
steps through withering fire towards his wounded Soldier before
an RPG exploded in his path. Before he could reach cover, Monti
fell mortally wounded only a few meters from Pfc. Bradbury.
Staff Sgt. Monti attempted to crawl back towards the stone wall,
but was unable to move far due to the severity of his wounds.
The patrol called out to Staff Sgt. Monti and tried to encourage
him to remain conscious. Monti spoke briefly with the members of
the patrol, telling them that he had made his peace with God. He
then asked Staff Sgt. Cunningham to tell his parents
that he loved them. Shortly thereafter, he fell
silent." Excerpt from
narrative
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