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Subscribe to RSSStaff Sgt. Clinton Romesha, 31, helped rescue the injured and retrieve the dead during an ambush by hundreds of fighters in Afghanistan. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
An Army sergeant who ignored his battle wounds to take out the enemy, rescue the injured and retrieve the dead during an ambush by 300 fighters in Afghanistan will receive the Medal of Honor, the White House announced Friday.
Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha, 31, who has since left the military, will be only the fourth living service member awarded the nation's top honor for courage in Iraq or Afghanistan.
His citation says he is being recognized for "acts of gallantry and intrepity" when fighters attacked Combat Outpost Keating from all sides with rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns, mortars and rifles on Oct. 3, 2009, igniting a daylong battle.
Romesha, a father of three, rousted reinforcements and then engaged in battle with the help of an assistant gunner. After taking out one machine-gun team, he set his sights on a second and suffered shrapnel wounds when a grenade hit a generator he was using for cover.
"Undeterred by his injuries, Staff Sergeant Romesha continued to fight and upon the arrival of another soldier to aid him and the assistant gunner, he again rushed through the exposed avenue to assemble additional soldiers," the citation says.
"With complete disregard for his own safety, (he) continually exposed himself to heavy enemy fire as he moved confidently about the battlefield engaging and destroying multiple enemy targets."
At the same time, Romesha was orchestrating a plan to secure key points of the battlefield — and directing air support to knock out a band of 30 heavily armed fighters who were attacking "with even greater ferocity."
He and his team also provided cover so that three wounded soldiers could get to an aid station, then "pushed forward 100 meters under withering fire, to recover the bodies of their fallen comrades."
Eight soldiers were killed in the battle, chronicled in the book "The Outpost," by journalist Jake Tapper, who described Romesha as "an intense guy, short and wiry," the son of a Mormon church leader who had attended seminary before joining the military.
Romesha, according to the book, never lost his cool — playing "peekaboo" with a sniper so he could get a bead on him, smiling as bullets ricocheted around him.
'He's always been a good kid'
Romesha’s father, Gary, said his son called him with news of the medal on Friday.
“I thought it was great. But I’m more thankful he is able to receive it on his own and it’s not given to us after he is dead,” he said.
The father of five, a Vietnam veteran, said all three of his sons went into the military.
“I tried to talk to my children. I told them, just don’t go into the infantry, do something where you get skilled. But they didn’t listen to me. They all went into the infantry,” he said in a phone interview from his home in small-town northern California.
He said he wasn’t surprised to hear about his son’s battlefield heroics.
“He’s always been a good kid,” he said. “But I think any of my children would have done the same thing.”
Romesha enlisted in the Army in 1999 and completed two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He was a section leader with B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division when the outpost came under fire.
Though the U.S. soldiers were greatly outnumbered, they stopped the Taliban from overrunning the outpost after Afghan troops and guards reportedly fled.
President Obama, who announced the award during a press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, will present Romesha with the Medal of Honor at the White House on Feb. 11.
NBC News' Courtney Kube contributed to this report.
Related: Some wounded vets shine on 'Alive Day,' others wear black
Related: One inch: Death in combat hinges on the tiniest margins
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So...the story about a brave soldier being awarded the Medal of Honor has the photograph of President Obama instead of the recipient...makes perfect sense.
The soldier has been officially discharged so probably no photo is available at this time.
Photo's are always on file.
Soldier to soldier, Hooyah
- Night Stalker : DEVGRU "Jumpers"...
22 comments on somebody getting the medal of honor... seems way out of balance with other stories on here
Starbuck, try again.
His picture is available: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2977150/posts
Just another NBC-BHO photo op.
Thank you Sgt Romesha and all of our other soldiers.
Without looking anything up, it seems like there is a story about a president (Truman perhaps) saying to one of the CMOH recipients that "I'd rather have this medal than be President". I"m sure I don't have the quote exact...
Would you rather they post a photo of a rutabaga?
Thank you for your service and your bravery, Sergeant!!!
From Free Republic:
"Romesha, who enlisted in 1999 and left the Army in 2011, deployed to Afghanistan twice and Iraq four times"
The above story lists one and two respectively. NBC News fact-checkers? Which is it??
MAJOR TYPO ALERT -- Where the article states "for "acts of gallantry and intrepity..." The correct word is intrepidity. There is no word in the modern dictionary for intrepity. A basic spellcheck would have spotted that mistake.
WhistleBerries - The same mistake is in several articles. Funny that the press would be lemmings repeating it though. The official statement says "for conspicuous gallantry".
Sorry for the double posting. I forgot to mention that Mr. Romesha will be eligible for a special VA pension awarded to Medal of Honor recipients.
I believe the current payment is $1,237 per month, tax free. Also, there should be a retroactive back payment to the date of the incident which generated the Medal of Honor, October 3, 2009. I do not remember the number of the public law that allows that.
Additionally, if he was sick or injured, or has nightmares about his Army work, Mr. Romesha can file a claim with the VA about those issues, and he could receive compensation for those as well.
As a sergeant, he definitely lead by example and deserves a thank you from a very grateful nation whose people join in honoring what a true American hero he is for those to exemplify. I do believe his sons and daughters are automatically accepted to West Point for their father's courage and sacrifice.
I'm proud of the guy. For all those ignorant people ridiculing Romney & Mormons during the presidential campaign saying Mormons refuse to serve, just shows how stupid and ignorant you are. Those of us that served with Mormons, Quakers, & draftees, know the rest of you are stupid if you think they are less than anyone else while in uniform.
Rocco, his children can be accepted to any of the service schools, not just West Point.
There is no "Congressional Medal Of Honor" award. It is named "The Medal Of Honor."
The award was created by act of Congress, in 1861 during the US Civil War, and President Lincoln signed the legislation.
Some of you might want to give a little thought to your words, here, and how your using the awarding of the Medal Of Honor as just another vehicle for your standard vitriol, incivility and partisanship in derisively demeaning the President of the United States instead demeans you, demeans the office of the Presidency, demeans our Country ... and most importantly demeans the courageous men and women who have earned this, our nations highest military award, through their valor and all too often at the sacrifice of their lives.
You folks should be ashamed of yourselves.
Well said!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the President announcing the award of the Medal of Honor, the recipient will be shown when he is honored. How do you think this works? Amazing turning an honor into some political BS.
That's right Michael...when the award is given, it would be very appropriate to have the President in the photograph. When announcing the award or telling the story, it's appropriate to display a picture of the intended recipient.
In the storyline, who is the object of the story...the recipient or the presenter?
It's not a post about political BS, it's a post about the lack of any kind of sense of shame.
Well done Sgt Romesha, well done. A hero in every sense of the word. The world could use many more people like you. Good luck in whatever endeavors you pursue in the future.
Congratulations to one incredibly brave and valiant man.Who put duty and his fellow man, above self concerns for his own life.There is a saying, "Courage is the not the absence of fear, but the realization that something else is more important than fear."
Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha, has demonstrated exactly that kind of courage, which sets him aside as the perfect example of integrity,and honor to principals in the face of overwhelming opposition, that our country needs more of. To inspire our young and old alike, in showing they too, just in their daily life, can rise above the challenges of daily life, and make a difference. Without having to lay down their life, as he was faced with the possibility of having to do.
All we have to do, is just be a little more braver each day. Remembering, often life just asks us to be tougher just for a brief period during a storm, and then afterward, we discover how much stronger we have become for other times. May this wonderful soldier be blessed all the days of his life, for what he has done to save others lives, return those who fell, and helped inspire so many others.
Congrats Wind, you've just written the President's after-presentation monologue!
His photo is there at the beginning of the article. ???????????????????????????
They updated the photo.
I agree with RTC, the photo in the article is turning this into a political PR for Obama (I'm not biased or politically charged) instead of recognizing the hero. The next photo to be shown will also include Obama handing the medal over, maybe warranted but yet another photo op.
So who do you think is the Commander and Chief, a girl scout?
The Medal of Honor is the Presidents call. Do you think the press even knows where our hero is? You can bet that would be a major scoop.
Congress approves or disapproves the medal. It is the Presidents job to award it.
"There are two distinct protocols for awarding the Medal of Honor. The first and most common is nomination and approval through the chain of command of the service member. The second method is nomination by a member of the U.S. Congress, generally at the request of a constituent, and the subsequent approval via a special Act of Congress. In both cases, the Medal of Honor is presented by the President on behalf of, and in the name of, the Congress.[50] Since 1941, more than half of the Medals of Honor have been awarded posthumously. Medal of Honor recipients are usually personally decorated by the President in the White House and the next of kin are personally presented a Medal of Honor set, enclosed in a wood and glass case with a brass nameplate of the recipient, by the President or his representative in the White House or at the Pentagon."
427FRED -- According to an article in The Seattle Times, Mr. Romesha lives in Minot, North Dakota.
If it were me I would wait until 2017 to get it or not at all.
Don't worry, you would never be awarded it.
Bobw exactly why you're NOT getting it, you think only of yourself. This guy did his job, not only saving his wounded comrades but also recovering his comrades who died on the battle field fighting for trolls like you.
So did I. I would still wait. Or not at all.
CSM USA RET Airborne Infantry 23 yrs
I guess you already forgot what you stood for, eh BobW?
Your oath must have been to support and defend the Republican President of the United States; not The Constitution.
Shame on you for bringing politics into this and trying to belittle our Constitution.
If you all really want to know what happened at this remote outpost read the newly released book called "The Outpost: An Untold Story Of American Valor" by Jake Tapper. It tells the entire story about this remote outpost, from it's build up in 2006 until it was overrun by the Taliban in 2009 and forced to close.
Congrats, Clint!
DESTROYERS
.
Thank you Sgt. Romesha for your courage. I hope our Celebrity in Chief apologizes to you for not having the courage to serve in the military...oh I forgot...he was a community organizer!!!
Major-re-elected. There are many good reasons. White men only see skin color. Now you're going to tell us that you're Mongolian.
In any case; HE HE HE HAW!
Domestic civic work, accepting responsibility for your fellow citizens and maintaining and promoting the public interest at home is at least as important, if not more important, as defending the country at home and abroad. I have done both (USS Vulcan, USN, Desert Storm; ). Without citizens who are willing to sacrifice and work for the public interest at home, in order to ensure the stability, equity, and sustainability of our country and its citizens, we will have nothing worthy of defending, and possibly nothing at all to defend. Together we stand, divided we fall.
I encourage any U.S. citizen to study Social Contract Theory, especially the extension of the theory by Rawls, and then study the Constitution. Social contract theory was the basis for the Founding Fathers creation of the Constitution, as the Constitution was the first actual written Social Contract; no longer just theory.
These are the values for which I served our country and its constitution in the Navy, and they are the same values for which I serve the Public Interest today. We are all in this together and we should all remember this; cooperation, coordination, and teamwork are the goals and skills that make any group successful, and the lack there of will ensure a lack of success and in this case the groups demise.
President Kennedy had it right..."Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
I would add to this quote: "your State, your Municipality, your neighborhood, your neighbor, your employer, and any other organization with which you are associated, or with which you could become associated. We all have something to offer, what can you offer?
This is a call to arms, not literally, but figuratively. Get out there and make a positive impact on your country, through public service and volunteering, whether it is on your street, in your state, or at the Federal level.
John Pressey, BSLA, MPA
Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha:
Whether they saw action or not, Veterans in general do not hear this enough: "Thank you for your service!"
I am absolutely sure that there are many others who also deserve more than that and never get acknowledged, but in your case that is beyond an understatement! You honor us all, and I am proud that you will be honored! Thank you!
John Pressey BSLA, MPA
"There are two distinct protocols for awarding the Medal of Honor. The first and most common is nomination and approval through the chain of command of the service member. The second method is nomination by a member of the U.S. Congress, generally at the request of a constituent, and the subsequent approval via a special Act of Congress. In both cases, the Medal of Honor is presented by the President on behalf of, and in the name of, the Congress.[50] Since 1941, more than half of the Medals of Honor have been awarded posthumously. Medal of Honor recipients are usually personally decorated by the President in the White House and the next of kin are personally presented a Medal of Honor set, enclosed in a wood and glass case with a brass nameplate of the recipient, by the President or his representative in the White House or at the Pentagon."
BobW - your comment with nothing on it makes the most sense of anything you've posted.
As for the Medal of Honor, it is only approved by Congress and awarded by the President, Vice President, Chief of Staff of the Joint Chief of Staff, individual branch Chiefs of Staff, 4-Star Generals. The President is the person who generally awards the medal, which incidentally comes with a monthly stipend of about $1500, not nearly enough in my opinion. The Medal of Honor has to be recommended by a comrade, someone higher in his/her command or even a civilian.
Anyone who is awarded it must show valor above and beyond the call of duty, complete disregard for personal safety and so forth. IMO there are probably a lot more soldiers or vets, of various wars including WW2, Korea, Vietnam and so on right up to Afghanistan and Iraq.
Thank you Staff Sgt Romesha, for your service to our country. Thanks to everyone who serves and fights so we can be free.
There is information in this story for those who would say "guns never solve anything". Yes, yes they do, or many of you would have a swastika on your undershorts right now. Or a hammer and sickle, or the F'ing crescent moon. If you don't realize that when we stop fighting them over there, we will soon be fighting them over here, you are misinformed.
Thank you Sgt. Romesha for your service and valor.
This is a bit of a sidetrack, but the phrase "after Afghan troops and guards reportedly fled" caught my attention. I know we've been doing a lot of training of Afghan troops since 2009, but I really wonder if the Afghan regulars have the will, courage and fighting spirit to stand up to the Taliban when the U.S. finally disengages.
Thank you Clint,also thanks to all our service men and women .Well done.
bobw.. you still didn't earn it STFU.
Sgt Romesha (from No. Dak)... uf da!
You were there?
He's actually from northern California :) He only moved to North Dakota post-military to seek employment in oil. Most of his extended family, inlaws and many friends still proudly claim him from Modoc County, California! :)
C'mon people! Don't turn this into a political argument. By doing so, you are disrespecting the Medal, the Man it is being awarded to and all the other recipients of the MOH, alive or dead. I'm figuring about 90% of the people that will contribute to this discussion on here are either active duty, former or retired military. All of you should know that it's one of the Presidents responsibilities to award this medal, it matters not whether you like or don't like him. We will always know that what SSG. Clinton Romesha did saved lives, brought great honor upon himself and nation and will always outshine anything Obama did or does while in office. He is only there to award it to a man with a serious set of brass balls, Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha!
Well said.
"...Though the U.S. soldiers were greatly outnumbered, they stopped the Taliban from overrunning the outpost after Afghan troops and guards reportedly fled..." This is who we are trying to protect and turn the country over to? Why are we still there? After the total US withdrawl, in less than a year Afghanistan will be back in the terrorists hands.
" Afghan troops and guards reportedly fled..."
BINGO!!!!!! Sad isn't it? Any of you on here that are Vietnam vets, does that remind you of the South Vietnamese soldiers? My father was a Vietnam vet. When I took leave after we got back from Panama "Just Cause", my father finally spoke to me about some of his time in Vietnam. He said maybe now I would be able to understand. He said the thing that pissed him off the most was that whenever a firefight started, the S. Vietnamese would drop their gear and hightail it out of there. Desertion in the face of the enemy is a treasonous offence. I don't know why they didn't shoot those fu-kers in the ass as they were running away.
Didn't want to waste the ammo.
Back on point........
From a fellow 11B, Congratulations SSG. Romesha. You are one heroic son of a gun.
All this old 'Nam Vet (USN 1965-1969) wants to say is: BRAVO ZULU Sgt. Romesha!, plus a huge WELCOME HOME!
Clinton Romshea you are for sure a "National Hero" and definitely deserve The National Medal of Honor! A couple of months ago we celebrated Veteran's Day. Every day should be Veteran's Day because there is not a day goes by that somewhere around this world that United States serviceman, whether they be on the front lines or in the back ground supporting the fighting men, that they are not putting their lives on the line. Don't let a day go by without praying for our active duty service men and for those who have proudly served in other times. Never miss a chance to thank our military personal and veterans for there serve. They are the reason we have our freedom.
Clinton Romshea you are for sure a "National Hero" and definitely deserve The National Medal of Honor! A couple of months ago we celebrated Veteran's Day. Every day should be Veteran's Day because there is not a day goes by that somewhere around this world that United States serviceman, whether they be on the front lines or in the back ground supporting the fighting men, that they are not putting their lives on the line. Don't let a day go by without praying for our active duty service men and for those who have proudly served in other times. Never miss a chance to thank our military personal and veterans for there serve. They are the reason we have our freedom.
Congrats Clinton! We can use more good ole southern boys like you in the USMC and Army!
Glenn2112,
Hate to bust your bubble, nothing wrong with good ole southern boys, ( I'm from Texas ) but SSG. Romesha is from northern California. He currently resides in North Dakota.
We could use more like him no matter where they come from. At least he isn't some REMF, in the rear with the gear. But then again, if he was a REMF, he would not be getting awarded the MOH. The only awards they get are " paper cut Purple Hearts and chow hall Achievement Medals ". HaHa:)
No harm intended, just messin' with the pogues. Even their job is essential.
thanks and God bless, now be a full-time daddy and husband.
Amazing that somebody can do that and survive. Concrats.
Nicely done, Sgt. Thank you, and god bless those who served with you, especially those who did not return.
Always glad to see a brave soldier be recognized, not having to die to be recognized nor, as in some earlier conflicts, cheapenings decoration by too freely awarding them.
Even generals will stand and salute you, sergeant...