Heroes Among Us - Leroy Petry
03/03/23
Leroy Petry's Background and Military Career
- Born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Third of five children
- Energetic and likable as a kid
- Struggled academically in school
- Joined the Army in 2001
- Graduated from Ranger school in Fort Benning, Georgia
- Deployed eight times to Iraq and Afghanistan
- Part of a special operations team
- Experienced a life-changing incident while in Afghanistan
Leroy Petry's Act of Bravery
- Alerted about a high-value target in their area
- Noticed a pineapple grenade behind his teammate
- Instantly recognized it as a threat
- Reached over and grabbed the grenade
- Hand was completely severed when it exploded
Recognition and Awards
- Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2011
- Second living soldier from Iraq and Afghanistan Wars to receive the honor
- Presented the key to a mortgage-free home in 2014
- Honored at a George Strait concert at A T Stadium
- Recognized for his courage and bravery
Impact and Support
- Petry's story inspires others
- Receives love and support from fellow Americans
- Petry's family in awe of the support they received
- Petry's heroism recognized by President Obama
- Petry's actions highlight the heroism of military personnel
Personal Growth and Transformation
- Turned his grades and future around
- Overcame academic struggles
- Developed into a successful military career
- Displayed exceptional bravery and selflessness in the face of danger