Former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha to receive Medal of Honor

Hero of COP Keating battle to receive MoH
Army Times
By Michelle Tan
Staff writer
Posted : Friday Jan 11, 2013

A former staff sergeant who helped repel one of the largest, most vicious battles against U.S. forces in Afghanistan will receive the Medal of Honor, the White House announced Friday.

Clinton L. Romesha, 31, will be the fourth living service member to receive the nation’s highest award for valor for actions in Afghanistan or Iraq. Seven other service members have posthumously been awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in those wars.

Romesha will be awarded Feb. 11 at the White House.

Romesha was a section leader in B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division during the Oct. 3, 2009, attack on Combat Outpost Keating in eastern Afghanistan.

Eight American soldiers were killed and two dozen others wounded in the battle as the troop-sized element fought against an overwhelming enemy force that launched a brazen attack to overrun the COP.

A RARE HONOR

With the announcement of the Medal of Honor for former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha, 11 service members — seven of them soldiers — have received the nation’s highest award for valor for actions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The first seven were awarded posthumously.
Spc. Ross McGinnis, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor and Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham were honored posthumously for their actions in Iraq.
Staff Sgt. Robert Miller, Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti and Navy Lt. Michael Murphy were honored posthumously for their actions in Afghanistan.
Former Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta is the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor from these wars. Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry and Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer also received the Medal of Honor. All three men were honored for their actions in Afghanistan.
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