A war still going on today, The Afghanistan War, is the longest war the United States have participated in. Due to the events of 9/11, the U.S deployed forces to control and prevent future terrorist attacks from Afghanistan. With countless deaths and casualties from both sides of the battle, included thousands of civilians, there is little hope this war will end soon. In 2008, a battle containing mininial U.S forces against a Taliban force three times its size became one of the most reviewed and investigated in modern time: the Battle of Wanat. In this battle, the actions of one soldier, was seen in the acts of heroism, bravery, and selfless service was nominated and awarded the Medal of Honor achievement: Staff Sergeant Ryan Pitts.
In Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, U.S forces established a patrol base and observation post near Quam. Days before the attack, a U.S helicopter attacked vehicles at a nearby village under the claim it was attacked. All 17 KIA were confirmed as civilians and this fueled the locals toward the Taliban forces. On July 13, 2008, Taliban forces attacked the U.S forces and NATO forces (trained Afghan under the U.S) with direct and indirect fire. Using the nearby villages on top of the mountains to get an advantage, hundreds of Taliban forces surrounded the entire base with gunfire. The initial mortal hit contact with the base’s mortar pit, successfully destroying their ammunition and their vehicles and missile launchers. SSG Pitts, with eight other soldiers was stationed at the observation point (OP) during the initial attack. The insurgents focused small arms fire and explosives towards the OP.
Almost instantly, every soldier at the OP was injured or killed. SSG Pitts sustained shrapnel injuries on both legs and left arm; which was controlled by a tourniquet. Too injured to move, SSG Pitts was unknowingly left at the OP while the remaining four other soldiers went back to the control point. SSG Pitts was told there was no reinforcements to help him maintain control and defend the OP. Determined, SSG Pitts, injured and alone, was willing to fight and defend the OP with machine gun fire and explosive rounds. In addition, he was the only one in position to pinpoint and guide indirect fire from the base. This allowed him to radio in air support which was the turning point of the battle for the soldiers. Four soldiers returned to support SSG Pitts with maintaining the post and prevent the OP from being overrun. SSG Pitts was weakened from blood loss and suffered multiple concussions, in addition to the previous injuries, and continued to fight until the battle ended a few hours later.
SSG Pitts played a crucial part in winning the Battle of Wanat. Without his resilience and bravery, the OP would have been overrun by the insurgents. This would have lead to the loss of possession of seven American soldiers, and would have inflicted further damage to the base. There was reasons why SSG Pitts won the Medal of Honor award in 2008: duty, selfless service, and personal courage. Despite being left behind to defend the OP by himself, SSG Pitts did not leave his post and continued to fight for his and his soldier’s life. SSG Pitts maintained and displayed every part of the Warrior Ethos; he did not quit the battle, accept defeat, and most importantly, was willing to lay down his life to place the mission first. This leads into selfless service; SSG Pitts knew the consequences of OP being overrun. The soldier put his life behind the importance of his nation and continued to fight back. There was no thought of recognition or fame; it was literally a battle for his life.
Lastly, personal courage was the last most important factor. Despite being injured and left behind, SSG Pitts continued to fight. Anyone in his situation could have taken cover and waited for further support; however, he did not follow suit. SSG became the support; he was the commander’s eyes and ears for air support and indirect fire. Without his efforts, reinforcements would not have been accurate and would not have turned the tide of the battle.
