美国驻阿富汗老兵Leroy Petry被授予荣誉勋章

A US Army ranger¹ has been awarded the Medal of Honor, America's highest military medal, for his actions in a firefight in Afghanistan.

美国军队一名骑警因在阿富汗一场战斗中的卓越表现，被授予荣誉勋章，这是美国最高等级的军功章。

In a 2008 battle in Paktia province, Staff Sgt Leroy Petry of New Mexico was shot in both legs and lost a hand while trying to toss（透支） away an enemy grenade.

The award recognises his "gallantry（勇气） and intrepidity²（无畏） at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty".

Sgt Petry is just the second active US military member to receive the award.

The first recipient³, Staff Sgt Salvatore Giunta, received his award in November 2010.

Heavy fire

President Barack Obama placed the medal around Sgt Petry's neck at a ceremony at the White House on Tuesday.

"This is the stuff of which heroes are made," Mr Obama said. "This is the strength, the devotion that makes our troops the pride of every American. And this is the reason that - like a soldier named Leroy Petry - America doesn't simply endure, we emerge from our trials stronger, more confident, with our eyes fixed⁴ on the future."

After the ceremony, Sgt Petry sought to divert attention toward his comrades and to their families.

"To be singled out is very humbling⁵. I consider every one of our men and women in uniform serving here, abroad, to be our heroes," he said.

"They sacrifice every day and deserve your continued support and recognition."

In May 2008, Sgt Petry's unit of elite⁶ Army rangers⁷ approached a house in Paktia province in eastern Afghanistan which intelligence suggested held high-value al-Qaeda officials, the US military said.

He and another soldier came under heavy fire while crossing the courtyard, and both were wounded - Sgt Petry shot through both legs.

Sgt Petry led the other ranger（突击队员） to cover, then threw a grenade（手榴弹） at the enemy fighters. The enemy fighters responded by closing in and returning fire, including by throwing grenades, one of which landed close to him.

"Instantly realising the danger, Staff Sgt Petry, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, deliberately⁸ and selflessly moved forward, picked up the grenade, and in an effort to clear the immediate⁹ threat, threw the grenade away from his fellow rangers," the award citation¹⁰ reads.

The grenade exploded as it left Sgt Petry's right hand, severing¹¹ it and further wounding him. Sgt Petry applied¹² a tourniquet¹³（止血带） to his wrist, then radioed for support.