Medal of Honor

W

wolf223

OFFICIAL NARRATIVE
In June of 2006, the 3rd Squadron of the 71st Cavalry Regiment (Recon), 3rd Brigade
Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, prepared to execute Operation Gowardesh
Thrust, a Squadron size operation in the Gremen Valley, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.
The operation was designed to disrupt enemy operations in the Gremen Valley by
denying the enemy freedom of movement and the use of critical staging areas near the
border with Pakistan. The initial phase of the operation required a 16-man patrol to
infiltrate into the area of operations in advance of the Squadron's main effort.
The patrol, consisting of snipers, forward observers and scouts, would maneuver north
along a high ridgeline overlooking the Gremen Valley. From the high ground of the
ridge, the patrol would provide real-time intelligence and help direct fires against enemy
forces attempting to oppose the Squadron's main effort.
On the evening of June 17, 2006, a convoy transported the patrol to a pre-established
mortar firing position south of the village of Baz-Gal near the Gowardesh Bridge. The
following morning, the patrol infiltrated on foot from the mortar firing position into their
area of operation. For three days, the patrol moved north up the ridgeline through rugged
mountain terrain. Due to the difficulty of the climb and temperatures near 100 degrees,
the patrol moved mostly at night or in the early morning hours; stopping during the heat
of the day to observe the valley below.
On June 20, 2006, the patrol leaders, Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Cunningham and Staff
Sgt. Jared C. Monti, halted the patrol on the ridgeline of Mountain 2610, approximately 5
kilometers northwest of the village of Gowardesh. With an elevation of over 2600 meters,
Mountain 2610 commanded a view of several enemy known areas of interest, including
insurgent safe houses and the summer residence of Hadji Usman, an HIG commander,
who was a vetted Combined Joint Task Force 76 insurgent target.
Staff Sgt. Cunningham and Staff Sgt. Monti selected a flat area on top of the ridge
approximately 50 meters long and 20 meters wide, with a trail running along the eastern
edge. At the southern end of the position, there were several large rocks, a portion of an
old stone wall and a few small trees. The terrain sloped gradually upward to the north. At
the northern end of the patrol's position there was a line of dense vegetation composed of
trees, heavy brush and smaller rocks. In between the large rocks to the south and the tree
line to the north was a clearing approximately 40-50 meters in length. The terrain
dropped off steeply on the eastern and western sides of the position. The rocks and trees
around the position provided concealment and protection for the patrol as they observed
the valley more than 1,000 meters below.
The patrol spent the night of June 20, 2006, observing from their position on Mountain
2610. The following morning the patrol was dangerously low on both food and water. A
re-supply mission was scheduled for that day. The re-supply was originally coordinated
to occur in conjunction with the Squadron's main effort, which included a large air assault
into the Gremen Valley. The heavy helicopter traffic associated with the air assault
mission would have provided distraction for the re-supply; reducing the risk that the drop
would compromise the patrol's position. However, on the morning of June 21, 2006,
Monti and Cunningham learned that the Squadron operation had been pushed back until
June 24, 2006. The delay extended the patrol's mission by several days, making re-supply
critical; however, the absence of other aerial traffic increased the risk that the re-supply
would compromise the patrol. Because of the critical shortage of water, it was determined
that the re-supply would go forward as planned despite the risk of compromise.
The drop zone was located approximately 150 meters from the patrol's position. Staff Sgt.
Cunningham and Staff Sgt. Monti brought the majority of their patrol to the re-supply
drop zone to provide security and to transport the supplies back to the patrol's position. A
smaller group remained at the observation position to provide security and to continue to
survey the valley below. At approximately 1:30 in the afternoon, a UH-60 Black Hawk
delivered food and water to the patrol. The patrol secured the supplies and began
transporting them back to their observation position.
Spc. Max Noble, the patrol's medic, was one of the Soldiers who remained at the
observation position while the majority of the patrol picked up the re-supply. Spc. Noble
was using a spotting scope to look down into the valley. Prior to the patrol's return from
the re-supply drop, Noble observed a local national male in the valley using military style
binoculars to look up towards at the patrol's position. Spc. Noble informed Cunningham
and Monti as soon as they returned. They watched the man observing the patrol's position
for several minutes before he picked up a bag and walked away.
As dusk approached, the patrol established a security perimeter around their position and
scheduled guard rotations. The patrol members then divided up the supplies and prepared
for the night. Staff Sgt. Cunningham, Staff Sgt. Monti, and Sgt. John R. Hawes sat
behind one of the large rocks at the southern end of the patrol's position and discussing
courses of action in the event that their position had likely been compromised. Pfc. Brian
J. Bradbury, Pfc. Mark James, Pvt. Sean J. Smith, Spc. Matthew P. Chambers, Spc.
Shawn M. Heistand, and Spc. Franklin L. Woods were at the northern end of the position,
near the wood line. Sgt. Chris J. Grzecki, Spc. Noble, and Spc. John H. Garner were
along the trail on the eastern edge of the position using spotting scopes to monitor the
valley below.
 
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At approximately, 6:45 in the evening, Spc. Woods heard the shuffling of feet in the
wood line immediately to the north. Before he could react, the patrol's position was hit by
a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), medium machine gun (PK) fire, and
small-arms fire from the wood line. An enemy force of approximately 50 fighters was
moving in under cover from two support-by-fire positions above the patrol to the north
and northwest. Members of the patrol could hear enemy fighters giving commands as
they moved through the wood line at the northern end of the patrol's position.
At the time of the attack, the six patrol members at the northern end of the patrol's
position immediately dove for cover as the enemy opened fire. The attack came so
quickly and with such ferocity, that many of the patrol members at the northern end of
the position were unable to maneuver to get to their weapons. Others had their weapons
literally shot out of their hands by the intense fire.
Spc. Heistand and Pfc. Bradbury were both near the wood line when the enemy opened
fire. Heistand was armed with an assault rifle and Bradbury was a Squad Automatic
Weapon (SAW) gunner. Both hit the ground and began to return fire. However, they soon
realized that their fire was drawing the enemies' attention to their dangerously exposed
position in the open area near the wood line. Spc. Heistand told Pfc. Bradbury that they
had to fall back to the south where the large rocks would provide better cover. Spc.
Heistand then jumped up and sprinted back towards the large rocks at the southern end of
the position. Pfc. Bradbury was directly behind Spc. Heistand as they headed for the
rocks, however, Pfc. Bradbury did not make it back to the rocks.
Pfc. James, Spc. Chambers, Spc. Woods, and Pvt. Smith were also in the area near the
wood line when the enemy attacked. They also fell quickly back towards the large rocks
to the south. Chambers, Woods, and Smith successfully made it to cover without injury;
however, Pfc. James was hit by small arms fire in the back and wrist as he ran for cover
to the south. Although wounded, Pfc. James was able to crawl back towards the rest of
the patrol on the southern end of the position. As soon as he was close enough, other
members of the patrol grabbed James and drug him to better cover behind the rocks. Spc.
Chambers, who lost his weapon in the initial volley, then took Pfc. James to a safe
position further back from the rocks and administered first aid.
From behind the rocks at the southern end of the patrol's position, Staff Sgt. Monti, Staff
Sgt. Cunningham, and Sgt. Hawes returned fire, attempting to cover for the patrol
members falling back from the north. However, the intensity of the enemy small arms fire
and frequent volleys of RPGs made it dangerous for the patrol members to expose
themselves in order to accurately aim their return fire.
Sgt. Patrick L. Lybert was in a prone position beside the small stone wall which was
slightly out in front of the larger rocks at the southern end of the patrol's position.
Although his position did not provide complete cover, it did provide the best vantage to
place accurate fire on the enemy. From his position, Sgt. Lybert used aimed shots and
controlled bursts to effectively slow the approaching enemy while other members of the
patrol consolidated their position behind the rocks at the southern end of the position.
As the patrol fell back behind the large rocks, Staff Sgt. Cunningham and Staff Sgt.
Monti took charge of the defense. They quickly set up a perimeter, posting Soldiers to
guard potential approaches on their flanks. They directed return fire and cautioned their
Soldiers to control their fires to conserve ammunition. Staff Sgt. Monti grabbed his radio
handset and cleared the network to call for fire. He calmly informed headquarters that the
patrol was under attack, heavily outnumbered, and at risk of being overrun.
Staff Sgt. Monti provided accurate grid coordinates of the enemy's current positions and
likely avenues of approach as RPGs skipped off of the rock above his head. Due to the
proximity of the enemy forces, Staff Sgt. Monti's call for fire was ‘danger close.’
While Monti was calling in the fire support mission, Staff Sgt. Cunningham moved along
the rocks towards the eastern edge of the patrol's position to take charge of the defense at
that end of the position. Sgt. Hawes remained on the western side of the position to
defend the western approach and to provide cover for Monti as he worked the radio
calling for indirect fire. Sgt. Lybert was still out in front of the larger rocks returning fire
from behind the stone wall. At some point, members of the patrol saw Lybert's head
slump forward and blood began to pour from his ears. Members of the patrol called out to
Sgt. Lybert, but he did not respond. Spc. Noble, the patrol's medic was on the western
side of the position, near Sgt. Lybert, but was unable to get to Lybert to provide treatment
due to the volume of enemy fire. However, Spc. Daniel B. Linnihan crawled out just far
enough to grab Sgt. Lybert's weapon and drag it back behind the rocks for use by the
members of the patrol.
The enemy used support by fire positions to fix the patrol as they split into two groups to
flank the patrol from the east and west. One group of approximately 15 fighters moved
through the wood line towards the patrol's western flank while a smaller group
maneuvered across the trail to attempt to flank the eastern side of the position. The patrol
members on either end of the position redirected their fires to protect their flanks. Patrol
members with weapons traded off with unarmed members to ensure that the Soldier in
the best position had a weapon to defeat the flanking maneuver. Pvt. Smith was along the
trail on the eastern edge of the patrol's position. From a covered position he killed several
enemy fighters attempting to move up the trail to flank the patrol.
While still communicating with the Squadron headquarters, Staff Sgt. Monti periodically
dropped the handset to engage the enemy with his rifle. At one point, he noticed a group
of fighters closing in on the western flank and disrupted their attack with several bursts
from his M-4. As the enemy closed within ten meters of the patrol's defensive perimeter,
Monti threw a grenade into their path. Although the grenade was inert, it's presence
disrupted the enemy advance and caused them to scatter and fall back, denying the enemy
a position on the patrol's flank. Staff Sgt. Monti then went back to the radio and
continued to call for fire.
At this time, the initial volley of mortar fire began to fall on the advancing enemy,
driving them back to a wood line north of the patrol's position. The mortar firing position
asked Staff Sgt. Monti to adjust the incoming rounds, however, the enemy fire from the
wood line was so extreme that Monti was unable to even raise his head up to observe the
incoming rounds.
As the enemy was driven back into the wood line, Staff Sgt. Monti and Staff Sgt.
Cunningham took accountability of their Soldiers. They quickly realized that one Soldier,
Pfc. Bradbury, was unaccounted for. Monti called for Bradbury several times and
received no response. Finally, over the din of near constant enemy fire, they heard Pfc.
Bradbury weakly reply that he was badly injured and unable to move.
Pfc. Bradbury, who was a SAW gunner on Staff Sgt. Monti's team, lay severely wounded
in a shallow depression approximately 20 meters in front of the patrol. The shallow
depression prevented the patrol from actually seeing Bradbury, but it also protected him
from enemy view. Other than the shallow depression, there was no other substantial
cover near the wounded Soldier. The enemy in the wood line was as close as 30 meters
on the other side of Pfc. Bradbury.
Staff Sgt. Monti recognized that Pfc. Bradbury was not only exposed to enemy fire, but
also to the incoming indirect fire. He called out to Bradbury to reassure him that he
would be alright and that they were coming to get him. Staff Sgt. Cunningham yelled
across the rocks to Monti, that he would go for Pfc. Bradbury. However, Monti insisted
that Bradbury was his Soldier and that he would go and get him.
Staff Sgt. Monti then handed the radio handset to Sgt. Grzecki and said, "you are now
Chaos three-five," which was Monti's call sign. After tightening down his chin strap,
Staff Sgt. Monti, without hesitation or concern for his own safety, moved out from
behind the protection of the large rocks into the open, and into the face of enemy fire.
The wood line immediately erupted as dozens of enemy fighters focused their fire on
Staff Sgt. Monti running towards his wounded Soldier. Patrol members reported hearing
the distinct report of PK machine guns as soon as Monti left the protection of the rocks.
Moving low and fast, Monti approached to within a few meters of Bradbury before heavy
enemy fire forced him to move back and dive behind the small stone wall where Sgt.
Lybert was located.
After pausing briefly to verify that Sgt. Lybert was dead, Staff Sgt. Monti again rose from
his covered position and again moved out into a wall of enemy fire in his second attempt
to save Pfc. Bradbury. This time, the fire was even more intense and Monti only made it a
few steps before a volley of small arms fire and RPGs drove him back behind cover of
the stone wall.
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.
By this time it was getting dark and the incoming mortar and howitzer rounds were
falling with accuracy on the enemy position. Close air support was on station and the
aviators dropped several 500lb bombs as well as two 2000lb bombs with direction from
Sgt. Grzecki. The patrol members redoubled their efforts to beat back the superior enemy
force. Under the weight of the accurate indirect fire, the enemy effort began to slacken.
As the enemy fire slowed, Sgt. Hawes low-crawled out from behind the rocks and made
his way to Sgt. Lybert's body. He took Sgt. Lybert's ammunition and handed it back to
one of the Soldiers fighting behind the rock. He then moved out to Staff Sgt. Monti's
body and confirmed that Monti had been killed while attempting to save Pfc. Bradbury.
Sgt. Hawes took Monti's weapon and ammunition and passed them back to the patrol.
Staff Sgt. Cunningham and Pfc. Smith then moved up along the trail to the east and made
their way towards Pfc. Bradbury. They found Bradbury approximately 20 meters in front
of the rocks. Pfc. Bradbury was alive, and although seriously wounded, he was able to
communicate. Pfc. Bradbury reported that there were approximately 40 enemy fighters in
the wooded area to the north. He was able to hear them talking and giving commands
during the engagement.
It was completely dark by the time Staff Sgt. Cunningham brought Pfc. Bradbury back
behind the rock so he could be treated by Spc. Noble.
The patrol remained in their position for the rest of the night. The next morning, they
assessed the enemy position and found several blood trails and a bloody shoe, but no
bodies. Later estimates put the enemy death toll at 15-20. The patrol moved on that day
and made their way off of the mountain on foot.
Staff Sgt. Monti was posthumously promoted to Sergeant First Class on June 22, 2006.

Link: http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/monti/?ref=home-headline-img0

[wink]

HOOAH soldier!
 
RIP Sergeant First Class Jared Monti. Your heroic actions are a credit to you, your family, and your unit. May your family take comfort in the recognition of your heroism and your strength of character.


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I salute you.
 
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