U.S. President Barack Obama has awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor toa soldier who died after multiple attempts to save one of his menduring a firefight with Taliban forces in Afghanistan.
PresidentObama gave the medal to the parents of Army Sergeant First Class JaredMonti on Thursday in a ceremony at the White House.
Monti wascited for his actions in a firefight in northeastern Afghanistan, nearthe border with Pakistan, in June 2006. As his 16-man patrol wasambushed by about 50 Taliban fighters, he tried three times to rescue awounded soldier in the line of fire. He was fatally injured and died atthe scene. The wounded soldier also died, and two other U.S. servicemenwere killed in the ambush.
In remarks, Mr. Obama said Monti'sactions were not a "passing moment of courage," but "the culmination ofa lifetime of character and commitment."
This was the first timeMr. Obama has presented a Medal of Honor, the highest award for valorin action against an enemy force that a member of the U.S. military canreceive.