medal of honor stars graphic
MEDAL OF HONOR:
Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti
Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti

MEDAL OF HONOR

Operation Enduring Freedom

"Duty. Honor. Country. Service. Sacrifice. Heroism. These are words of weight. But as people — as a people and as a culture, we often invoke them lightly. We toss them around freely. But do we really grasp the meaning of these values? Do we truly understand the nature of these virtues? To serve, and to sacrifice. Jared Monti knew. The Monti family knows. And they know that the actions we honor today were not a passing moment of courage. They were the culmination of a life of character and commitment."

President Barack Obama
Medal of Honor Ceremony, September 17, 2009

Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti

Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti

Enlisted

March 11, 1993

hometown

Raynham, Mass.; graduated from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, 1994.

Military Occupation (MOS)

Fire Support Specialist (13F)

Unit

3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition), 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry)

Deployments

Operation Enduring Freedom

Jared C. Monti enlisted in the National Guard as a high school junior under the delayed entry program on March 11, 1993. He went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., between his junior and senior year of high school. After graduation, he switched over to active duty and completed his initial military training at Fort Sill, Okla. After graduating from his Advanced Individual Training, he was awarded the military operations specialty 13F, or Fire Support Specialist. A fire support specialist leads, supervises, and serves in an intelligence and target-processing role in Field Artillery units of all sizes across the Army.

After graduating from basic and AIT he was stationed at Fort Riley, Kan. Monti was then assigned to the Korean Peninsula as part of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, in the demilitarized zone. After leaving Korea, he moved to Fort Bragg, N.C. From Fort Bragg he went back to Korea before eventually ending up at Fort Drum, N.Y.

A familiy photo of Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti.

Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti. Teammates reported that he set an example in every way, shape and form. Former Capt. Ross A. Berkoff, the unit's intelligence officer, explained that Monti was known as the best NCO in the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment (Recon), 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

His military education includes completing the Combat Life Savers course in 1995, Basic Airborne School in 1997, Primary Leadership Development Course in 1998, Basic Noncommissioned Officer course in 2001, Air Assault course in 2002 and the Joint Firepower/Control course in 2004.

His awards and decorations (prior to earning the Medal of Honor) include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak-leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak-leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal 3rd Award, National Defense Service Medal (2), Korean Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral two, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral three, NATO Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

Graphic Battle Narrative or Sketch

"YOU ARE NOW CHAOS THREE-FIVE!"

Learn more about Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti immeasurable courage and uncommon valor in the midst of the firefight

The Battle

June 21, 2006 | Nuristan Province, Afghanistan

The distinctive unit insignia of the 71st Cavalry Regiment

71st Cavalry Regiment

Read Unit History

The insignia is a 1 1/8 inch (or 2.86 cm)-tall metal and enamel shield, colored silver and in the shape of an argent. On the shield is a sable-colored bar and an azure-colored lion holding a fleur-de-lis in it's dexter (or right) paw. The inscription "GALLANTLY FORWARD," in blue letters, is attached below and to the sides of the shield.

Symbolism:The colors blue and white are for Infantry, the previous unit designation. Black and golden orange were the colors used for Tank Destroyer organizations, indicating the unit’s origin. The raging lion symbolizes aggressive and warlike qualities. The fleur-de-lis is gold (for golden orange) to indicate the battle honors were awarded to the organization as a Tank Destroyer unit in World War II.

In June of 2006, the 3rd Squadron of the 71st Cavalry Regiment (Recon), 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, prepared to execute Operation Gowardesh Thrust, a Squadron size operation in the Gremen Valley, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. The operation was designed to disrupt enemy operations in the Gremen Valley by denying the enemy freedom of movement and the use of critical staging areas near the border with Pakistan. The initial phase of the operation required a 16-man patrol to infiltrate into the area of operations in advance of the Squadron's main effort. The patrol, consisting of snipers, forward observers and scouts, would maneuver north along a high ridgeline overlooking the Gremen Valley. From the high ground of the ridge, the patrol would provide real-time intelligence and help direct fires against enemy forces attempting to oppose the Squadron's main effort.

On the evening of June 17, 2006, a convoy transported the patrol to a pre-established mortar firing position south of the village of Baz-Gal near the Gowardesh Bridge. The following morning, the patrol infiltrated on foot from the mortar firing position into their area of operation. For three days, the patrol moved north up the ridgeline through rugged mountain terrain. Due to the difficulty of the climb and temperatures near 100 degrees, the patrol moved mostly at night or in the early morning hours; stopping during the heat of the day to observe the valley below. On June 20, 2006, the patrol leaders, Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Cunningham and Staff Sgt. Jared C. Monti, halted the patrol on the ridgeline of Mountain 2610, approximately 5 kilometers northwest of the village of Gowardesh. With an elevation of over 2600 meters, Mountain 2610 commanded a view of several enemy known areas of interest, including insurgent safe houses and the summer residence of Hadji Usman, an HIG commander, who was a vetted Combined Joint Task Force 76 insurgent target.

Staff Sgt. Cunningham and Staff Sgt. Monti selected a flat area on top of the ridge approximately 50 meters long and 20 meters wide, with a trail running along the eastern edge. At the southern end of the position, there were several large rocks, a portion of an old stone wall and a few small trees. The terrain sloped gradually upward to the north. At the northern end of the patrol's position there was a line of dense vegetation composed of trees, heavy brush and smaller rocks. In between the large rocks to the south and the tree line to the north was a clearing approximately 40-50 meters in length. The terrain dropped off steeply on the eastern and western sides of the position. The rocks and trees around the position provided concealment and protection for the patrol as they observed the valley more than 1,000 meters below.

The patrol spent the night of June 20, 2006, observing from their position on Mountain 2610. The following morning the patrol was dangerously low on both food and water. A re-supply mission was scheduled for that day. The re-supply was originally coordinated to occur in conjunction with the Squadron's main effort, which included a large air assault into the Gremen Valley. The heavy helicopter traffic associated with the air assault mission would have provided distraction for the re-supply; reducing the risk that the drop would compromise the patrol's position. However, on the morning of June 21, 2006, Monti and Cunningham learned that the Squadron operation had been pushed back until June 24, 2006. The delay extended the patrol's mission by several days, making re-supply critical; however, the absence of other aerial traffic increased the risk that the re-supply would compromise the patrol. Because of the critical shortage of water, it was determined that the re-supply would go forward as planned despite the risk of compromise.



A personal photo of Sergeant 1st Class Jared C. Monti, the first Soldier recipient for actions in Afghanistan/Operation Enduring Freedom. May 23, 2006.

The drop zone was located approximately 150 meters from the patrol's position. Staff Sgt. Cunningham and Staff Sgt. Monti brought the majority of their patrol to the re-supply drop zone to provide security and to transport the supplies back to the patrol's position. A smaller group remained at the observation position to provide security and to continue to survey the valley below. At approximately 1:30 in the afternoon, a UH-60 Black Hawk delivered food and water to the patrol. The patrol secured the supplies and began transporting them back to their observation position. Spc. Max Noble, the patrol's medic, was one of the Soldiers who remained at the observation position while the majority of the patrol picked up the re-supply. Spc. Noble was using a spotting scope to look down into the valley. Prior to the patrol's return from the re-supply drop, Noble observed a local national male in the valley using military style binoculars to look up towards at the patrol's position. Spc. Noble informed Cunningham and Monti as soon as they returned. They watched the man observing the patrol's position for several minutes before he picked up a bag and walked away.

As dusk approached, the patrol established a security perimeter around their position and scheduled guard rotations. The patrol members then divided up the supplies and prepared for the night. Staff Sgt. Cunningham, Staff Sgt. Monti, and Sgt. John R. Hawes sat behind one of the large rocks at the southern end of the patrol's position and discussing courses of action in the event that their position had likely been compromised. Pfc. Brian J. Bradbury, Pfc. Mark James, Pvt. Sean J. Smith, Spc. Matthew P. Chambers, Spc. Shawn M. Heistand, and Spc. Franklin L. Woods were at the northern end of the position, near the wood line. Sgt. Chris J. Grzecki, Spc. Noble, and Spc. John H. Garner were along the trail on the eastern edge of the position using spotting scopes to monitor the valley below.

At approximately, 6:45 in the evening, Spc. Woods heard the shuffling of feet in the wood line immediately to the north. Before he could react, the patrol's position was hit by a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), medium machine gun (PK) fire, and small-arms fire from the wood line. An enemy force of approximately 50 fighters was moving in under cover from two support-by-fire positions above the patrol to the north and northwest. Members of the patrol could hear enemy fighters giving commands as they moved through the wood line at the northern end of the patrol's position. At the time of the attack, the six patrol members at the northern end of the patrol's position immediately dove for cover as the enemy opened fire. The attack came so quickly and with such ferocity, that many of the patrol members at the northern end of the position were unable to maneuver to get to their weapons. Others had their weapons literally shot out of their hands by the intense fire.

Spc. Heistand and Pfc. Bradbury were both near the wood line when the enemy opened fire. Heistand was armed with an assault rifle and Bradbury was a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) gunner. Both hit the ground and began to return fire. However, they soon realized that their fire was drawing the enemies' attention to their dangerously exposed position in the open area near the wood line. Spc. Heistand told Pfc. Bradbury that they had to fall back to the south where the large rocks would provide better cover. Spc. Heistand then jumped up and sprinted back towards the large rocks at the southern end of the position. Pfc. Bradbury was directly behind Spc. Heistand as they headed for the rocks, however, Pfc. Bradbury did not make it back to the rocks.

Pfc. James, Spc. Chambers, Spc. Woods, and Pvt. Smith were also in the area near the wood line when the enemy attacked. They also fell quickly back towards the large rocks to the south. Chambers, Woods, and Smith successfully made it to cover without injury; however, Pfc. James was hit by small arms fire in the back and wrist as he ran for cover to the south. Although wounded, Pfc. James was able to crawl back towards the rest of the patrol on the southern end of the position. As soon as he was close enough, other members of the patrol grabbed James and drug him to better cover behind the rocks. Spc. Chambers, who lost his weapon in the initial volley, then took Pfc. James to a safe position further back from the rocks and administered first aid.From behind the rocks at the southern end of the patrol's position, Staff Sgt. Monti, Staff Sgt. Cunningham, and Sgt. Hawes returned fire, attempting to cover for the patrol members falling back from the north. However, the intensity of the enemy small arms fire and frequent volleys of RPGs made it dangerous for the patrol members to expose themselves in order to accurately aim their return fire.

Sgt. Patrick L. Lybert was in a prone position beside the small stone wall which was slightly out in front of the larger rocks at the southern end of the patrol's position. Although his position did not provide complete cover, it did provide the best vantage to place accurate fire on the enemy. From his position, Sgt. Lybert used aimed shots and controlled bursts to effectively slow the approaching enemy while other members of the patrol consolidated their position behind the rocks at the southern end of the position.

As the patrol fell back behind the large rocks, Staff Sgt. Cunningham and Staff Sgt. Monti took charge of the defense. They quickly set up a perimeter, posting Soldiers to guard potential approaches on their flanks. They directed return fire and cautioned their Soldiers to control their fires to conserve ammunition. Staff Sgt. Monti grabbed his radio handset and cleared the network to call for fire. He calmly informed headquarters that the patrol was under attack, heavily outnumbered, and at risk of being overrun. Staff Sgt. Monti provided accurate grid coordinates of the enemy's current positions and likely avenues of approach as RPGs skipped off of the rock above his head. Due to the proximity of the enemy forces, Staff Sgt. Monti's call for fire was 'danger close.'

While Monti was calling in the fire support mission, Staff Sgt. Cunningham moved along the rocks towards the eastern edge of the patrol's position to take charge of the defense at that end of the position. Sgt. Hawes remained on the western side of the position to defend the western approach and to provide cover for Monti as he worked the radio calling for indirect fire. Sgt. Lybert was still out in front of the larger rocks returning fire from behind the stone wall. At some point, members of the patrol saw Lybert's head slump forward and blood began to pour from his ears. Members of the patrol called out to Sgt. Lybert, but he did not respond. Spc. Noble, the patrol's medic was on the western side of the position, near Sgt. Lybert, but was unable to get to Lybert to provide treatment due to the volume of enemy fire. However, Spc. Daniel B. Linnihan crawled out just far enough to grab Sgt. Lybert's weapon and drag it back behind the rocks for use by the members of the patrol.

Monti insisted that Bradbury was his Soldier and that he would go and get him. Staff Sgt. Monti then handed the radio handset to Sgt. Grzecki and said, “you are now Chaos three-five,” which was Monti's call sign. After tightening down his chin strap, Staff Sgt. Monti, without hesitation or concern for his own safety, moved out from behind the protection of the large rocks into the open, and into the face of enemy fire.

The enemy used support by fire positions to fix the patrol as they split into two groups to flank the patrol from the east and west. One group of approximately 15 fighters moved through the wood line towards the patrol's western flank while a smaller group maneuvered across the trail to attempt to flank the eastern side of the position. The patrol members on either end of the position redirected their fires to protect their flanks. Patrol members with weapons traded off with unarmed members to ensure that the Soldier in the best position had a weapon to defeat the flanking maneuver. Pvt. Smith was along the trail on the eastern edge of the patrol's position. From a covered position he killed several enemy fighters attempting to move up the trail to flank the patrol.

While still communicating with the Squadron headquarters, Staff Sgt. Monti periodically dropped the handset to engage the enemy with his rifle. At one point, he noticed a group of fighters closing in on the western flank and disrupted their attack with several bursts from his M-4. As the enemy closed within ten meters of the patrol's defensive perimeter, Monti threw a grenade into their path. Although the grenade was inert, it's presence disrupted the enemy advance and caused them to scatter and fall back, denying the enemy a position on the patrol's flank. Staff Sgt. Monti then went back to the radio and continued to call for fire. At this time, the initial volley of mortar fire began to fall on the advancing enemy, driving them back to a wood line north of the patrol's position. The mortar firing position asked Staff Sgt. Monti to adjust the incoming rounds, however, the enemy fire from the wood line was so extreme that Monti was unable to even raise his head up to observe the incoming rounds.

As the enemy was driven back into the wood line, Staff Sgt. Monti and Staff Sgt. Cunningham took accountability of their Soldiers. They quickly realized that one Soldier, Pfc. Bradbury, was unaccounted for. Monti called for Bradbury several times and received no response. Finally, over the din of near constant enemy fire, they heard Pfc. Bradbury weakly reply that he was badly injured and unable to move. Pfc. Bradbury, who was a SAW gunner on Staff Sgt. Monti's team, lay severely wounded in a shallow depression approximately 20 meters in front of the patrol. The shallow depression prevented the patrol from actually seeing Bradbury, but it also protected him from enemy view. Other than the shallow depression, there was no other substantial cover near the wounded Soldier. The enemy in the wood line was as close as 30 meters on the other side of Pfc. Bradbury.

Staff Sgt. Monti recognized that Pfc. Bradbury was not only exposed to enemy fire, but also to the incoming indirect fire. He called out to Bradbury to reassure him that he would be alright and that they were coming to get him. Staff Sgt. Cunningham yelled across the rocks to Monti, that he would go for Pfc. Bradbury. However, Monti insisted that Bradbury was his Soldier and that he would go and get him. Staff Sgt. Monti then handed the radio handset to Sgt. Grzecki and said, “you are now Chaos three-five,” which was Monti's call sign. After tightening down his chin strap, Staff Sgt. Monti, without hesitation or concern for his own safety, moved out from behind the protection of the large rocks into the open, and into the face of enemy fire.

The wood line immediately erupted as dozens of enemy fighters focused their fire on Staff Sgt. Monti running towards his wounded Soldier. Patrol members reported hearing the distinct report of PK machine guns as soon as Monti left the protection of the rocks. Moving low and fast, Monti approached to within a few meters of Bradbury before heavy enemy fire forced him to move back and dive behind the small stone wall where Sgt. Lybert was located. After pausing briefly to verify that Sgt. Lybert was dead, Staff Sgt. Monti again rose from his covered position and again moved out into a wall of enemy fire in his second attempt to save Pfc. Bradbury. This time, the fire was even more intense and Monti only made it a few steps before a volley of small arms fire and RPGs drove him back behind cover of the stone wall.

Unwilling to leave his Soldier wounded and exposed, Staff Sgt. Monti prepared to make a third attempt to get to the wounded Pfc. Bradbury. This time, Monti yelled back to the patrol members behind the rocks that he needed more cover fire. He coordinated with Sgt. Hawes to fire 40mm grenades from his M203 launcher onto the enemy position, while other members of the patrol would provide cover fire. Timing his movement to the sound of the exploding 40mm rounds, Staff Sgt. Monti, for a third time, rose from his covered position and moved into the open, knowing he again would be the focus of the enemy fire.

On his third attempt, Staff Sgt. Monti took several lunging steps through withering fire towards his wounded Soldier before an RPG exploded in his path. Before he could reach cover, Monti fell mortally wounded only a few meters from Pfc. Bradbury. Staff Sgt. Monti attempted to crawl back towards the stone wall, but was unable to move far due to the severity of his wounds. The patrol called out to Staff Sgt. Monti and tried to encourage him to remain conscious. Monti spoke briefly with the members of the patrol, telling them that he had made his peace with God. He then asked Staff Sgt. Cunningham to tell his parents that he loved them. Shortly thereafter, he fell silent.

By this time it was getting dark and the incoming mortar and howitzer rounds were falling with accuracy on the enemy position. Close air support was on station and the aviators dropped several 500lb bombs as well as two 2000lb bombs with direction from Sgt. Grzecki. The patrol members redoubled their efforts to beat back the superior enemy force. Under the weight of the accurate indirect fire, the enemy effort began to slacken. As the enemy fire slowed, Sgt. Hawes low-crawled out from behind the rocks and made his way to Sgt. Lybert's body. He took Sgt. Lybert's ammunition and handed it back to one of the Soldiers fighting behind the rock. He then moved out to Staff Sgt. Monti's body and confirmed that Monti had been killed while attempting to save Pfc. Bradbury. Sgt. Hawes took Monti's weapon and ammunition and passed them back to the patrol.

Staff Sgt. Cunningham and Pfc. Smith then moved up along the trail to the east and made their way towards Pfc. Bradbury. They found Bradbury approximately 20 meters in front of the rocks. Pfc. Bradbury was alive, and although seriously wounded, he was able to communicate. Pfc. Bradbury reported that there were approximately 40 enemy fighters in the wooded area to the north. He was able to hear them talking and giving commands during the engagement. It was completely dark by the time Staff Sgt. Cunningham brought Pfc. Bradbury back behind the rock so he could be treated by Spc. Noble. The patrol remained in their position for the rest of the night. The next morning, they assessed the enemy position and found several blood trails and a bloody shoe, but no bodies. Later estimates put the enemy death toll at 15-20. The patrol moved on that day and made their way off of the mountain on foot.

Staff Sgt. Monti was posthumously promoted to Sergeant First Class on June 22, 2006.

Staff Sgt. Monti attempted to crawl back towards the stone wall, but was unable to move far due to the severity of his wounds. The patrol called out to Staff Sgt. Monti and tried to encourage him to remain conscious. Monti spoke briefly with the members of the patrol, telling them that he had made his peace with God. He then asked Staff Sgt. Cunningham to tell his parents that he loved them.

A personal photo of Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti, Medal of Honor recipient in Afgahanistan. 2006.

"You are now Chaos three-five!"

Sgt. 1st Class Monti, 30, was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, when he was killed in Gowardesh, Afghanistan, in a battle with enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. He displayed immeasurable courage and uncommon valor when he sacrificed his own life in an effort to save his comrade.

Area of Operation
In June of 2006, the 3rd Squadron of the 71st Cavalry Regiment (Recon), 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, prepared to execute Operation Gowardesh Thrust, a Squadron size operation in the Gremen Valley, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. The operation was designed to disrupt enemy operations in the Gremen Valley by denying the enemy freedom of movement and the use of critical staging areas near the border with Pakistan. The initial phase of the operation required a 16-man patrol to infiltrate into the area of operations in advance of the Squadron's main effort. The patrol, consisting of snipers, forward observers and scouts, would maneuver north along a high ridgeline overlooking the Gremen Valley. From the high ground of the ridge, the patrol would provide real-time intelligence and help direct fires against enemy forces attempting to oppose the Squadron's main effort.

MEDIA:

Video footage by Jon Krakauer
Ascending the Ridge
On the evening of June 17, 2006, a convoy transported the patrol to a pre-established mortar firing position south of the village of Baz-Gal near the Gowardesh Bridge. The following morning, the patrol infiltrated on foot from the mortar firing position into their area of operation. For three days, the patrol moved north up the ridgeline through rugged mountain terrain. Due to the difficulty of the climb and temperatures near 100 degrees, the patrol moved mostly at night or in the early morning hours; stopping during the heat of the day to observe the valley below. On June 20, 2006, the patrol leaders, Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Cunningham and Staff Sgt. Jared C. Monti, halted the patrol on the ridgeline of Mountain 2610, approximately 5 kilometers northwest of the village of Gowardesh. With an elevation of over 2600 meters, Mountain 2610 commanded a view of several enemy known areas of interest, including insurgent safe houses and the summer residence of Hadji Usman, an HIG commander, who was a vetted Combined Joint Task Force 76 insurgent target. *Video Footage not from actual battle scene.

2610 Ridge line
Staff Sgt. Cunningham and Staff Sgt. Monti selected a flat area on top of the ridge approximately 50 meters long and 20 meters wide, with a trail running along the eastern edge. At the southern end of the position, there were several large rocks, a portion of an old stone wall and a few small trees. The terrain sloped gradually upward to the north. At the northern end of the patrol's position there was a line of dense vegetation composed of trees, heavy brush and smaller rocks. In between the large rocks to the south and the tree line to the north was a clearing approximately 40-50 meters in length. The terrain dropped off steeply on the eastern and western sides of the position. The rocks and trees around the position provided concealment and protection for the patrol as they observed the valley more than 1,000 meters below. The patrol spent the night of June 20, 2006, observing from their position on Mountain 2610. The following morning the patrol was dangerously low on both food and water. A re-supply mission was scheduled for that day. The re-supply was originally coordinated to occur in conjunction with the Squadron's main effort, which included a large air assault into the Gremen Valley. The heavy helicopter traffic associated with the air assault mission would have provided distraction for the re-supply; reducing the risk that the drop would compromise the patrol's position. However, on the morning of June 21, 2006, Monti and Cunningham learned that the Squadron operation had been pushed back until June 24, 2006. The delay extended the patrol's mission by several days, making re-supply critical; however, the absence of other aerial traffic increased the risk that the re-supply would compromise the patrol. Because of the critical shortage of water, it was determined that the re-supply would go forward as planned despite the risk of compromise.

MEDIA:

Audio by team member Sgt. John R. Hawes TRANSCRIPT: Once they called and told us that the air assault was being delayed - I forget what it was, 48 hours, 72 hours, something like that - we were like, what about our resupply? And at that point we were getting really low on food, water and batteries to sustain ourselves for another 48 or 72 hours but they informed us no, our resupply is still coming.
Since there was 16 of us at the position, 12 of us picked up and moved out to collect resupply and kept four field team to maintain eyes on our objective and I was the first person back in carrying some of the resupply, and as soon as I got back in our medic, SPC Noble goes "we're being watched." I was like "what do you mean we're being watched?" and he got out our spotting scope and he pointed out and I saw locals looking up at us with binoculars and regular Afghans don't have binoculars in Afghanistan, there's no purpose for them - bird watching is not popular. So we watched them for a little bit and he finally got up and readied a fire mission in case we could get PID on them (positive identification) and he finally stood up and he had a little light bag with him and binoculars and just disappeared into a draw heading slightly uphill out of sight towards the higher part of the ridge, and he was still above us, but we never saw him after that.
"We are being watched"
The drop zone was located approximately 150 meters from the patrol's position. Staff Sgt. Cunningham and Staff Sgt. Monti brought the majority of their patrol to the re-supply drop zone to provide security and to transport the supplies back to the patrol's position. A smaller group remained at the observation position to provide security and to continue to survey the valley below. At approximately 1:30 in the afternoon, a UH-60 Black Hawk delivered food and water to the patrol. The patrol secured the supplies and began transporting them back to their observation position. Spc. Max Noble, the patrol's medic, was one of the Soldiers who remained at the observation position while the majority of the patrol picked up the re-supply. Spc. Noble was using a spotting scope to look down into the valley. Prior to the patrol's return from the re-supply drop, Noble observed a local national male in the valley using military-style binoculars to look up towards at the patrol's position. Spc. Noble informed Cunningham and Monti as soon as they returned. They watched the man observing the patrol's position for several minutes before he picked up a bag and walked away.

MEDIA:

Audio by team member Sgt. John R. Hawes TRANSCRIPT: We were shaken up by being observed by that guy, and SSG Monti, SSG Cunningham, and myself we actually at the most defensive point of our position, next to these boulders, and we were discussing doubling our guard shifts for the night because of that reason. We had our park position set up, but because of the incident with the guy watching us with the binoculars, we were in the process of discussing doubling our guard shift to increase the security by 50 percent for the night because of that situation. And it was while we were talking and discussing that very subject we were attacked.
Doubling the Guard Shift
As dusk approached, the patrol established a security perimeter around their position and scheduled guard rotations. The patrol members then divided up the supplies and prepared for the night. Staff Sgt. Cunningham, Staff Sgt. Monti, and Sgt. John R. Hawes sat behind one of the large rocks at the southern end of the patrol's position and discussing courses of action in the event that their position had likely been compromised. Pfc. Brian J. Bradbury, Pfc. Mark James, Pvt. Sean J. Smith, Spc. Matthew P. Chambers, Spc. Shawn M. Heistand, and Spc. Franklin L. Woods were at the northern end of the position, near the wood line. Sgt. Chris J. Grzecki, Spc. Noble, and Spc. John H. Garner were along the trail on the eastern edge of the position using spotting scopes to monitor the valley below.

MEDIA:

Audio by team member Sgt. John R. Hawes TRANSCRIPT: It started off with some RPG's flying overhead immediately followed by heavy machine gun fire and it was, right from the beginning it was an incredibly heavy assault, with gunfire just pouring down on us. And it completely pinned us down and happened so quickly and abruptly that some of our guys literally had their weapons shot out of their hands. A couple of them had their weapons just a few feet from them cause we just got done eatin', and the fire was so intense they couldn't make it a few feet to their rifles. They had to just seek cover, and the cover was on my end of the division with these boulders we had and a small stone wall where Sgt. Lybert was they'd try to get back to that for cover but some of the guys, the fire was so intense they weren't able to make it the few feet to their rifles - a few of them had their rifles shot out of the hands - Spc. Garner being one of them, he put his hand on his rifle, and as soon as he put his hand on his rifle, a machine gun bullet ripped through the stock of it and knocked it out of his hands. I'd spent a year in Iraq and at that point I'd been in Afghanistan five months, and I'd never seen anything in an opening barrage near that heavy.
Enemy to the North
At approximately 6:45 in the evening, Spc. Woods heard the shuffling of feet in the wood line immediately to the north. Before he could react, the patrol's position was hit by a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), medium machine gun (PK) fire, and small-arms fire from the wood line. An enemy force of approximately 50 fighters was moving in under cover from two support-by-fire positions above the patrol to the north and northwest. Members of the patrol could hear enemy fighters giving commands as they moved through the wood line at the northern end of the patrol's position. At the time of the attack, the six patrol members at the northern end of the patrol's position immediately dove for cover as the enemy opened fire. The attack came so quickly and with such ferocity, that many of the patrol members at the northern end of the position were unable to maneuver to get to their weapons. Others had their weapons literally shot out of their hands by the intense fire. Spc. Heistand and Pfc. Bradbury were both near the wood line when the enemy opened fire. Heistand was armed with an assault rifle and Bradbury was a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) gunner. Both hit the ground and began to return fire. However, they soon realized that their fire was drawing the enemies' attention to their dangerously exposed position in the open area near the wood line.

MEDIA:

Audio by team member Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Cunningham TRANSCRIPT: The intensity of the firefighting, a 15-meter area, in that firefight, one meter is like a mile to move in a way, because all of the enemy being focused on just 15 meters to shoot at.
"One meter was a mile..."
Spc. Heistand told Pfc. Bradbury that they had to fall back to the south where the large rocks would provide better cover. Spc. Heistand then jumped up and sprinted back towards the large rocks at the southern end of the position. Pfc. Bradbury was directly behind Spc. Heistand as they headed for the rocks, however, Pfc. Bradbury did not make it back to the rocks. Pfc. James, Spc. Chambers, Spc. Woods, and Pvt. Smith were also in the area near the wood line when the enemy attacked. They also fell quickly back towards the large rocks to the south. Chambers, Woods, and Smith successfully made it to cover without injury; however, Pfc. James was hit by small arms fire in the back and wrist as he ran for cover to the south. Although wounded, Pfc. James was able to crawl back towards the rest of the patrol on the southern end of the position. As soon as he was close enough, other members of the patrol grabbed James and drug him to better cover behind the rocks. Spc. Chambers, who lost his weapon in the initial volley, then took Pfc. James to a safe position further back from the rocks and administered first aid.

MEDIA:

Video Footage not from actual battle scene


Audio by team member Sgt. John R. Hawes TRANSCRIPT: He told him, you know, if he stuck his head up to assess the situation as detailed as they wanted it, then he was dead - he would have caught it for sure. The only time we were exposed around the rock was to return fire. Monti was, you know we were reserving the impacts of our stuff so we had to - at the time, I was using the grenade launcher and firing at the enemy as they advanced, when I would fire Monti would be able to get up and get pretty much his best looks because I was providing covering fire for him to look and assess the situation but it was so heavy that if we weren't shooting, the fire was so intense that you couldn't look.
Calling in Fire Support
From behind the rocks at the southern end of the patrol's position, Staff Sgt. Monti, Staff Sgt. Cunningham, and Sgt. Hawes returned fire, attempting to cover for the patrol members falling back from the north. However, the intensity of the enemy small arms fire and frequent volleys of RPGs made it dangerous for the patrol members to expose themselves in order to accurately aim their return fire. Sgt. Patrick L. Lybert was in a prone position beside the small stone wall which was slightly out in front of the larger rocks at the southern end of the patrol's position. Although his position did not provide complete cover, it did provide the best vantage to place accurate fire on the enemy. From his position, Sgt. Lybert used aimed shots and controlled bursts to effectively slow the approaching enemy while other members of the patrol consolidated their position behind the rocks at the southern end of the position. As the patrol fell back behind the large rocks, Staff Sgt. Cunningham and Staff Sgt. Monti took charge of the defense. They quickly set up a perimeter, posting Soldiers to guard potential approaches on their flanks. They directed return fire and cautioned their Soldiers to control their fires to conserve ammunition. Staff Sgt. Monti grabbed his radio handset and cleared the network to call for fire. He calmly informed headquarters that the patrol was under attack, heavily outnumbered, and at risk of being overrun. Staff Sgt. Monti provided accurate grid coordinates of the enemy's current positions and likely avenues of approach as RPGs skipped off of the rock above his head. Due to the proximity of the enemy forces, Staff Sgt. Monti's call for fire was ‘danger close.’ While Monti was calling in the fire support mission, Staff Sgt. Cunningham moved along the rocks towards the eastern edge of the patrol's position to take charge of the defense at that end of the position. Sgt. Hawes remained on the western side of the position to defend the western approach and to provide cover for Monti as he worked the radio calling for indirect fire. Sgt. Lybert was still out in front of the larger rocks returning fire from behind the stone wall. At some point, members of the patrol saw Lybert's head slump forward and blood began to pour from his ears. Members of the patrol called out to Sgt. Lybert, but he did not respond. Spc. Noble, the patrol's medic was on the western side of the position, near Sgt. Lybert, but was unable to get to Lybert to provide treatment due to the volume of enemy fire. However, Spc. Daniel B. Linnihan crawled out just far enough to grab Sgt. Lybert's weapon and drag it back behind the rocks for use by the members of the patrol.

MEDIA:

Audio by team member Sgt. John R. Hawes TRANSCRIPT: Right from the beginning we could tell they had a support by fire, and that's an element of men just positioned to stay still and provide machine gun fire to keep us pinned down so we can't move. And while their support by fire position kept our heads down, they had at least two maneuver elements that advanced on our position and tried to overrun us. So under their own machine gun fire they had one or two more elements trying to assault us and trying to overrun us. And they got really close, they got really close to accomplishing that. As an example of how close that they got to us, you could hear them shouting their orders to their guys... yeah, it was easy to hear them talk - they were really close, they got within five meters of our nearest position.
You could hear them shouting orders
The enemy used support by fire positions to fix the patrol as they split into two groups to flank the patrol from the east and west. One group of approximately 15 fighters moved through the wood line towards the patrol's western flank while a smaller group maneuvered across the trail to attempt to flank the eastern side of the position. The patrol members on either end of the position redirected their fires to protect their flanks. Patrol members with weapons traded off with unarmed members to ensure that the Soldier in the best position had a weapon to defeat the flanking maneuver. Pvt. Smith, was along the trail on the eastern edge of the patrol's position. From a covered position he killed several enemy fighters attempting to move up the trail to flank the patrol. While still communicating with the Squadron headquarters, Staff Sgt. Monti periodically dropped the handset to engage the enemy with his rifle. At one point, he noticed a group of fighters closing in on the western flank and disrupted their attack with several bursts from his M-4. As the enemy closed within ten meters of the patrol's defensive perimeter, Monti threw a grenade into their path. Although the grenade was inert, it's presence disrupted the enemy advance and caused them to scatter and fall back, denying the enemy an position on the patrol's flank. Staff Sgt. Monti then went back to the radio and continued to call for fire.

MEDIA:

Video Footage not from actual battle scene


Audio by team member Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Cunningham TRANSCRIPT: There was a lull in fire where we heard a "yeah" - it was very faint - so we knew he was still out there. At that point word spread real quick to everybody that was engaged that he was still out there, and you know, he's still alive. And that word instantly got to Monti, and once he realized that Bradbury was the guy that was unaccounted for, he tried to set the conditions so that he would be able to go out there and get him. He's like "I'm going to get him," and we were like "Roger that." So, we all raised our rifles and started giving cover fire and he ran out there.


Audio by team member Sgt. John R. Hawes TRANSCRIPT: He responds to our call and I'll give him all the credit in the world - he was as calm as you can be. He let us know that he was hit, and that he couldn't move, but he wasn't hollerin' and he wasn't screaming, and he was staying quiet, and would only talk to answer our questions. He stayed as calm as you can be - I couldn't be prouder of the kid. And once he realized he was out there Monti made the decision that he was going for him and he passed off the radio to Sgt. Grezecki and told him you're Chaos 3-5 now which was Monti's call sign, and he discussed with me, we worked out how we would provide covering fire for Monti to try and go out there and make it to Bradbury. So we hollered at the rest of the guys that the plan was Monti was going for him, everybody down laid the covering fire - those that could shoot at the moment - and there wasn't many of us. Some rifles were shot, some weren't able to get them, so we were low on the actual shooting portion of guys that actually had rifles available. I can't remember exactly how we signaled it, if we did a count-off or what, but we all started firing and Monti made the run for it.
We heard a 'yeah'
At this time, the initial volley of mortar fire began to fall on the advancing enemy, driving them back to a wood line north of the patrol's position. The mortar firing position asked Staff Sgt. Monti to adjust the incoming rounds, however, the enemy fire from the wood line was so extreme that Monti was unable to even raise his head up to observe the incoming rounds. As the enemy was driven back into the wood line, Staff Sgt. Monti and Staff Sgt. Cunningham took accountability of their Soldiers. They quickly realized that one Soldier, Pfc. Bradbury, was unaccounted for. Monti called for Bradbury several times and received no response. Finally, over the din of near constant enemy fire, they heard Pfc. Bradbury weakly reply that he was badly injured and unable to move. Pfc. Bradbury, who was a SAW gunner on Staff Sgt. Monti's team, lay severely wounded in a shallow depression approximately 20 meters in front of the patrol. The shallow depression prevented the patrol from actually seeing Bradbury, but it also protected him from enemy view. Other than the shallow depression, there was no other substantial cover near the wounded Soldier. The enemy in the wood line was as close as 30 meters on the other side of Pfc. Bradbury. Staff Sgt. Monti recognized that Pfc. Bradbury was not only exposed to enemy fire, but also to the incoming indirect fire. He called out to Bradbury to reassure him that he would be alright and that they were coming to get him. Staff Sgt. Cunningham yelled across the rocks to Monti, that he would go for Pfc. Bradbury. However, Monti insisted that Bradbury was his Soldier and that he would go and get him. *Video Footage not from actual battle scene.

MEDIA:

Audio by team member Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Cunningham TRANSCRIPT: He knew... what he was going against, to help out his Soldier. I know he knew the consequences. Monti was such a smart guy - I know many things were going through his head and I know he could handle all of those million things going through his head at that point. When he went out there, he was committed, and I'm sure he thought about the best way he could do it, but ultimately he knew he had to get his guy out so, he knew what he was up against... but he also knew what was behind him... so he knew that he had a chance to go out there and get him.


Audio by team member Sgt. John R. Hawes TRANSCRIPT: Heading towards Bradbury there was no cover - it was an open lane straight to Bradbury. That's what he was going to have to go through, he knew what he was doing, but he had to do it. He knew what he was going into and it was just a mad wall of hell that you were running into, but as soon as he recognized that Bradbury was out there exposed, and the enemy was getting close and we had to get to Bradbury, it was without hesitation "I'm going for him," and he chose guys to help him and you didn't question it. Alright the task is Monti is going for Bradbury, lets do the best we can to support him.
"I'm going for him."
Staff Sgt. Monti then handed the radio handset to Sgt. Grzecki and said, "you are now Chaos three-five," which was Monti's call sign. After tightening down his chin strap, Staff Sgt. Monti, without hesitation or concern for his own safety, moved out from behind the protection of the large rocks into the open, and into the face of enemy fire. The wood line immediately erupted as dozens of enemy fighters focused their fire on Staff Sgt. Monti running towards his wounded Soldier. Patrol members reported hearing the distinct report of PK machine guns as soon as Monti left the protection of the rocks. Moving low and fast, Monti approached to within a few meters of Bradbury before heavy enemy fire forced him to move back and dive behind the small stone wall where Sgt. Lybert was located. After pausing briefly to verify that Sgt. Lybert was dead, Staff Sgt. Monti again rose from his covered position and again moved out into a wall of enemy fire in his second attempt to save Pfc. Bradbury. This time, the fire was even more intense and Monti only made it a few steps before a volley of small arms fire and RPGs drove him back behind cover of the stone wall. Unwilling to leave his Soldier wounded and exposed, Staff Sgt. Monti prepared to make a third attempt to get to the wounded Pfc. Bradbury. This time, Monti yelled back to the patrol members behind the rocks that he needed more cover fire. He coordinated with Sgt. Hawes to fire 40mm grenades from his M203 launcher onto the enemy position, while other members of the patrol would provide cover fire. Timing his movement to the sound of the exploding 40mm rounds, Staff Sgt. Monti, for a third time, rose from his covered position and moved into the open, knowing he again would be the focus of the enemy fire.

MEDIA:

Audio by team member Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Cunningham TRANSCRIPT: He jumped back again. He tried to do it - he said "I gotta get him, I'm going again."


Audio by team member Sgt. John R. Hawes TRANSCRIPT: The final attempt that he made for Bradbury - he made three attempts - we were down to the last 40mm grenade for the M203 and I loaded that and I told Monti that I only had one left and he said he wanted to go for Bradbury again and I told him you have to wait, I told him I fired a grenade at the closest division and for him to run after that it would relay to everyone else that Monti was going to go after that, I put in a fresh magazine and my last 40mm grenade... and on the count, I fired the 40mm grenade at the closest position - which was just beyond Bradbury and as soon as that burst Monti started to run and I started to fire and as he was running - I can still picture it in my mind - him running out straight in front of us in a direct line of sight and I was firing straight past him - it was like a foot off his side - I was just trying to provide the fire as close as I could to Monti, and have it be as effective as I could be to try to keep everybody else - the enemy down while Monti was able to go for Bradbury. While providing that fire I ran out of ammo and I dropped down to do my magazine change, thats when the RPG screamed in and impacted right dead center in the middle of our position, right next to Monti, and that was followed by Monti screaming that he got hit.
"I gotta get him, I'm going again."
On his third attempt, Staff Sgt. Monti took several lunging steps through withering fire towards his wounded Soldier before an RPG exploded in his path. Before he could reach cover, Monti fell mortally wounded only a few meters from Pfc. Bradbury. Staff Sgt. Monti attempted to crawl back towards the stone wall, but was unable to move far due to the severity of his wounds. The patrol called out to Staff Sgt. Monti and tried to encourage him to remain conscious. Monti spoke briefly with the members of the patrol, telling them that he had made his peace with God. He then asked Staff Sgt. Cunningham to tell his parents that he loved them. Shortly thereafter, he fell silent.

MEDIA:

Audio by team member Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Cunningham TRANSCRIPT: As soon as he was back everybody unleashed this intense firepower onto them - we just started engaging and our rounds just started landing - the rounds that he called just started landing by the ridge line and the surrounding areas. I kinda wish that he would have waited a little bit longer. So we got behind, in this little micro train and the enemy was still engaging, they were still shooting. He was like "Tell my family, I'm right with God..." and then...


Audio by team member Sgt. John R. Hawes TRANSCRIPT: I've lost lots and lots of friends in the military... there's nothing glorious about dying or death but there is nothing greater than dying for something you believe in - dying trying to help somebody - that just puts so much meaning into your death and into your life, and that's worth dying for.
"I kind of wish he had waited longer."
By this time it was getting dark and the incoming mortar and howitzer rounds were falling with accuracy on the enemy position. Close air support was on station and the aviators dropped several 500lb bombs as well as two 2000lb bombs with direction from Sgt. Grzecki. The patrol members redoubled their efforts to beat back the superior enemy force. Under the weight of the accurate indirect fire, the enemy effort began to slacken. As the enemy fire slowed, Sgt. Hawes low-crawled out from behind the rocks and made his way to Sgt. Lybert's body. He took Sgt. Lybert's ammunition and handed it back to one of the Soldiers fighting behind the rock. He then moved out to Staff Sgt. Monti's body and confirmed that Monti had been killed while attempting to save Pfc. Bradbury. Sgt. Hawes took Monti's weapon and ammunition and passed them back to the patrol. Staff Sgt. Cunningham and Pfc. Smith then moved up along the trail to the east and made their way towards Pfc. Bradbury. They found Bradbury approximately 20 meters in front of the rocks. Pfc. Bradbury was alive, and although seriously wounded, he was able to communicate. Pfc. Bradbury reported that there were approximately 40 enemy fighters in the wooded area to the north. He was able to hear them talking and giving commands during the engagement. It was completely dark by the time Staff Sgt. Cunningham brought Pfc. Bradbury back behind the rock so he could be treated by Spc. Noble.

MEDIA:

Audio by team member Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Cunningham TRANSCRIPT: Before the sun came up on that following day, a helicopter came in, dropped some water and chow and we moved as fast - I mean we pretty much, for the amount of firepower we put on the enemy that night we knew that they didn't want to come back out. We were pretty certain that they didn't want to come back out. So we pretty much ran.


Audio by team member Sgt. John R. Hawes TRANSCRIPT: So we reconsolidated and pushed everybody into our most defensible position by the rocks there, and we just pulled 360 security all night, kept mortar fire going all night, yeah it was... a long night. So we kept up indirect fires all night long knowing the suspected enemy positions along the ridge lines, and we were up all night. And then they got word that another medivac was en route in the morning to collect the KIA, then shortly after that we'd be walking off the mountain.
"It was a long night."
The patrol remained in their position for the rest of the night. The next morning, they assessed the enemy position and found several blood trails and a bloody shoe, but no bodies. Later estimates put the enemy death toll at 15-20. The patrol moved on that day and made their way off of the mountain on foot.

MEDIA:

Audio by team member Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Cunningham TRANSCRIPT: Well the way I look at it is, somebody dies, they've taught somebody or they've made their mark on somebody, and I had the luxury of working with Monti's guys - the guys that he trained to be like him. So, everything they did was the way that he would do it . So his mannerisms were carried out from them, so we would do missions and it would be like he was still there.


Audio by team member Sgt. John R. Hawes TRANSCRIPT: I know myself, SSG Cunningham, and [inaudible] I know he'll live on through all that - he'll still continue to motivate and inspire people, especially getting the Medal of Honor, he's going to be remembered for all time, he'll never be forgotten.
Monti is still with us in spirit
Staff Sgt. Monti was posthumously promoted to Sergeant First Class on June 22, 2006.

The Ceremony



SFC Monti parents receive his Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the White House, September 17, 2009.

Show Caption +

SFC Monti's parents receive his Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the White House, September 17, 2009.

President Barack Obama posthumously awards Sgt. 1st. Class Jared C. Monti, from Raynham, Mass., the Medal of Honor to his parents, Paul and Janet Monti, in the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C., Sept. 17, 2009. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Show Caption +

President Barack Obama posthumously awards Sgt. 1st. Class Jared C. Monti, from Raynham, Mass., the Medal of Honor to his parents, Paul and Janet Monti, in the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C., Sept. 17, 2009. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

President Barack Obama posthumously awards Sgt. 1st. Class Jared C. Monti, from Raynham, Mass., the Medal of Honor to his parents, Paul and Janet Monti, in the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C., Sept. 17, 2009. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Show Caption +

President Barack Obama posthumously awards Sgt. 1st. Class Jared C. Monti, from Raynham, Mass., the Medal of Honor to his parents, Paul and Janet Monti, in the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C., Sept. 17, 2009. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Attendees at a White House ceremony stand as President Barack Obama posthumously awards the Medal of Honor for Army Sgt. 1st. Class Jared C. Monti of Raynham, Mass., to his parents Paul and Janet Monti, Sept. 17, 2009. Army photo by D. Myles Cullen

Show Caption +

Attendees at a White House ceremony stand as President Barack Obama posthumously awards the Medal of Honor for Army Sgt. 1st. Class Jared C. Monti of Raynham, Mass., to his parents Paul and Janet Monti, Sept. 17, 2009. Army photo by D. Myles Cullen

Paul Monti, father of Medal of Honor recipient the late Army Sgt.t1st Class Jared C. Monti, listens to remarks during a Hall of Heroes induction ceremony for his son at the Pentagon, Sept. 18, 2009.

Show Caption +

Paul Monti, father of Medal of Honor recipient the late Army Sgt.t1st Class Jared C. Monti, listens to remarks during a Hall of Heroes induction ceremony for his son at the Pentagon, Sept. 18, 2009.

Hall of Heroes Induction - Outgoing Army Secretary Pete Geren presents Paul and Janet Monti with a plaque honoring their son Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti, during Montis induction into the Pentagons Hall of Heroes. Sept. 18, 2009.

Show Caption +

Hall of Heroes Induction - Outgoing Army Secretary Pete Geren presents Paul and Janet Monti with a plaque honoring their son Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti, during Monti's induction into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. Sept. 18, 2009.



“Compassion. Perseverance. Strength. A love for his fellow soldiers. Those are the values that defined Jared Monti's life -- and the values he displayed in the actions that we recognize here today. ”

President Barack Obama

White House Ceremony, September 17, 2009


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