I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
A man who graduated high school in Santa Fe before enlisting in the Army will receive the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama. Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry will be the second living active-duty service member to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Petry lost his right hand while throwing a live grenade away from his fellow soldiers during a raid in Afghanistan’s Paktia province.
The Army News Service described his actions in more detail. A grenade landed about ten yards from soldiers, injuring them. Then another grenade landed just feet from the soldiers again.
Recognizing the threat that the enemy grenade posed to his fellow Rangers, Petry — despite his own wounds and with complete disregard for his personal safety — consciously and deliberately risked his life to move to and secure the live enemy grenade and throw it away from his fellow Rangers, according to battlefield reports.
As Petry released the grenade in the direction of the enemy, preventing the serious injury or death of Higgins and Robinson, it detonated and amputated his right hand.
Petry assessed his wound and placed a tourniquet on his right arm. He then reported that he was still in contact with the enemy and that he had been wounded again.
Petry is currently assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment and attached to the Special Operations Command. According to the White House, Petry has served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq totaling 28 months of deployment.
The White House announced the decision on Tuesday, and Petry will receive the award on July 12.
The Santa Fe New Mexican outlined his Santa Fe connections:
Petry was interviewed by The New Mexican in 1998 when he was an 18-year-old graduating senior at St. Catherine Indian School — the institution’s final graduating class.
Petry told a reporter he was failing all of his classes at Santa Fe High School and almost flunked out before his parents transferred him to St. Catherine. “It helps because you have a lot of support,” he said. “I could have graduated last summer, but I came back this year because I like this school.”
Also that year, he was given The Bootstrap/SER Award honoring area high school seniors who have committed to improving themselves and the community.
This is not the first honor that Petry has received. The White House said in a release that Petry’s military decorations include:
[T]wo Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal, three Army Good Conduct Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, to name a few.
The Medal of Honor is awarded to member of the United States Armed Forces who “distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidty above and beyond the call of duty” while during active combat.
