Quoted:
I don't give two shits about the president, congress or the senate... It's about THE MAN...
Agreed.
Monti was born in Abington, Massachusetts, on September 20, 1975, to Paul, a school teacher, and Janet Monti.[1][2] He grew up in Raynham, Massachusetts and graduated from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School in 1994.[2]
After enlisting in the Army in March 1993, he completed basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.[3] and was one of the first soldiers to undergo forward observer training with the 82nd Airborne.[2] Monti, a fire support specialist, served as a sergeant first class with the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.[1][4]
On June 21, 2006, he served as the assistant leader of a 16-man patrol tasked with gathering intelligence in Gowardesh, Nuristan Province, in northeastern Afghanistan. At dusk, the patrol was attacked by a group of at least 60 insurgents who had established two positions on a wooded ridge above the patrol. Monti ordered his soldiers to take cover and return fire, then made a radio call for artillery and close air support. When he realized that one man, Private First Class Brian J. Bradbury, had been wounded and was lying in an exposed area, he made repeated attempts to reach him. On his first attempt, he advanced to within three feet of Bradbury before being forced back by intense rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fire. His second try was similarly turned back and as the rest of his patrol provided covering fire, Monti advanced a third time but an RPG round exploded at his feet, blowing off both of his legs. Monti died moments later.[5] At about the same time, the artillery and air support which he had called in began hitting the enemy position, killing 22 of the attackers and dispersing the rest.[4]
PFC Bradbury subsequently died when the winch that was raising him to a rescue helicopter snapped. The fall also killed Staff Sergeant Heathe Craig, 28, a medic from Severn, Maryland.[6]
Monti is buried at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts. His grave can be found in section 11, site 38.[7]
A ceremony to formally present the Medal of Honor to Monti's family will occur on September 17.[3]
His Citation:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant First Class Monti distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a team leader with the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on 21 June 2006. On that day, Sergeant First Class Monti was leading a mission to gather intelligence and to direct fires against the enemy in support of a squadron-size interdiction mission. While at an observation position on top of a mountain ridge, Sergeant First Class Monti’s sixteen-man patrol came under attack by a superior force consisting of as many as 50 enemy fighters. On the verge of being overrun, Sergeant First Class Monti directed his patrol to set up a hasty defensive position behind a collection of rocks. He then began to call for indirect fire from a nearby support base; accurately bringing the rounds upon the enemy who had closed to within 50 meters of his position. While still calling for fire, Sergeant First Class Monti personally engaged the enemy with his rifle and a grenade, successfully disrupting an attempt to flank the patrol. Sergeant First Class Monti then realized that one of his Soldiers was lying wounded and exposed in the open ground between the advancing enemy and the patrol’s position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant First Class Monti moved from behind the cover of the rocks into the face of withering enemy fire. After closing within meters of his wounded Soldier, the heavy volume of fire forced Sergeant First Class Monti to seek cover. Sergeant First Class Monti then gathered himself and rose again to maneuver through a barrage of enemy fire to save his wounded Soldier. Again, Sergeant First Class Monti was driven back by relentless enemy fire. Unwilling to leave his Soldier wounded and exposed, Sergeant First Class Monti made another attempt to move across open terrain and through the enemy fire to the aide of his wounded Soldier. On his third attempt, Sergeant First Class Monti was mortally wounded, sacrificing his own life in an effort to save his Soldier. Sergeant First Class Monti’s acts of heroism inspired the patrol to fight off the larger enemy force. Sergeant First Class Monti’s immeasurable courage and uncommon valor were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, 3d Squadron 71st Cavalry Regiment, the 3d Brigade Combat Team, the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), and the United States Army.’’