President Obama will present the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration, to Ryan M. Pitts, a former Army staff sergeant, on July 21, announced the White House on Monday. Obama will recognize Pitts for his conspicuous gallantry during an engagement with insurgents in Wanat in northeastern Afghanistan on July 13, 2008. On that day, Pitts was manning an observation post when his outpost came under attack. Despite taking grenade shrapnel in both legs and his left arm, and loss of blood, Pitts continued to fight and defend his position and his teammates, allowing US forces to hold the observation post and turn the battle’s tide, according to an Army release. Pitts will be the ninth living recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. He currently lives in Nashua, N.H.
Where Things Stand with Every Planned V-22 Fix
Feb. 11, 2026
The Air Force’s CV-22 Osprey fleet started receiving new proprotor gearboxes last month—and officials say they’re planning a comprehensive midlife upgrade for the V-22 to address concerns over its safety and reliability.
