Here is video John Krakauer shot of SFC Monti on patrol days before his death. The Wikipedia article has some good details other outlets haven't really covered.
"On 21 June 2006, SFC Monti, then a staff sergeant, was the assistant patrol leader for a 16-man patrol tasked to conduct surveillance in the Gowardesh region. The patrol was to provide up-to-date intelligence, interdict enemy movement and ensure early warning for the squadron's main effort as it inserted into the province. As nightfall approached, the patrol was attacked by a well organized enemy force of at least 60 personnel.
Outnumbered four-to-one, SFC Monti's patrol was in serious danger of being overrun. The enemy fighters had established two support-by-fire positions directly above the patrol in a densely wooded ridgeline. SFC Monti immediately returned fire and ordered the patrol to seek cover and return fire. He then reached for his radio headset and calmly initiated calls for indirect fire and close air support (CAS), both danger-close to the patrol's position. He did this while simultaneously directing the patrol's fires.
When SFC Monti realized that a member of the patrol, Private First Class (PFC) Brian J. Bradbury, was critically wounded and exposed 10 meters from cover, without regard for his personal safety, he advanced through enemy fire to within three feet of PFC Bradbury's position. But he was forced back by intense RPG fire.
He tried again to secure PFC Bradbury, but he was forced to stay in place again as the enemy intensified its fires. The remaining patrol members coordinated covering fires for SFC Monti, and he advanced a third time toward the wounded Soldier. But he only took a few steps this time before he was mortally wounded by an RPG.
About the same time, the indirect fires and CAS he called for began raining down on the enemy's position. The firepower broke the enemy attack, killing 22 enemy fighters. SFC Monti's actions prevented the patrol's position from being overrun, saved his team's lives and inspired his men to fight on against overwhelming odds." From blackfive.net
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4 comments:
Great man! I personally think any man,women,whomever, that dies while fighting for the USA should be awarded this medal, but thats just me. I am proud of them ALL.
I wonder what makes a person courageous and willing to lay down their life to save others. I wonder if he went over there knowing he would be willing to do something like that or whether he didn't know until the moment he did it. Some might argue that all soldiers make that decision when they enlist, and really, they do, but what makes a person go above and beyond. Thank God for them.
Wow - that is quite a story!
Chup -- I will repost this if ya don't mind. Great piece! Sharky
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