When President Barack Obama awarded the nation’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, to Army Ranger Sfc. Leroy Arthur Petry, he became only the second living, active-duty service member to receive the honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Petry, a veteran of eight deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, joined the Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Amy Morris from the Association of the U.S. Army convention in Washington, D.C.

Petry was honored for his actions during a firefight in Afghanistan in May 2008. Under enemy fire and after being shot in both legs, he was still able to save two of his fellow soldiers by tossing back a live enemy grenade. Petry ended up losing his right arm.

Petry, who is still on active-duty and said he wants to return to Afghanistan, said one of the “toughest questions” for him is dealing with the label of hero.

More from the AUSA conference.

Copyright © 2025 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.