medal of honor stars graphic
MEDAL OF HONOR:
Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha
Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha

MEDAL OF HONOR

Operation Enduring Freedom

Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha

Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha

Enlistment Date

September 1999

Hometown

Lake City, California

Unit

Bravo Troop, 3-61st Cavalry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

Deployments

Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom

Military Occupation (MOS)

M1 Armor Crewman, 19D Cavalry Scout

Former Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha (pronounced Row-ma-shay) was born in Lake City, California. Romesha enlisted in the Army in September 1999, as an M1 armor crewman. After completion of training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was assigned as a tank gunner with B Company, 1-63rd Armor, Camp Vilseck, Germany, which included an operational deployment to Kosovo.

After Germany, he was assigned as a gunner/assistant tank commander with A Company, 2-72nd Armor, Camp Casey, Korea. Following Korea, which included a combat tour to Iraq, he was assigned as a section leader with 3-61st Cavalry, Fort Carson, Colo. There he completed the Long Range Reconnaissance Course, Advanced Leader Course and Air Assault Training.

New parents Tammy and Clint Romesha hold their daughter, Dessi, in December of 2001.

Clint Romesha feeds his one-week old daughter, Gwen, in early 2009.

Romesha deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and once to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. At the time of the deadly attack on Combat Outpost Keating, Kamdesh District, Afghanistan, on Oct. 3, 2009, Staff Sgt. Romesha was assigned as a section leader for Bravo Troop, 3-61st Cavalry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Romesha separated from the Army on April 4, 2011. He and his wife Tamara (Tammy), their three children, Dessi, Gwen, Colin, and Tammy's parents Kevin and Lorin, currently live in Minot, North Dakota. Romesha works as a field safety specialist with an oilfield construction company. He credits the Army's transition assistance program as being helpful in preparing his resume and engaging the company. Romesha equates his civilian job to that of a noncommissioned officer who establishes risk mitigation policies and enforces safety standard operating procedures. He says his current profession is similar to an Army observer/controller, identifying areas the organization can improve and making on-the-spot corrections.

Romesha has two older brothers, one older sister and a younger sister. His fondest childhood memories are of spending time with his grandpa — the late Aury Smith, a WWII veteran — on his small ranch in Vya, Nevada. His grandpa told him to always do his best, and that the integrity of the family name was Romesha's legacy to be cherished.

Clint Romesha with 1-year old son Collin, during a camping trip at Lake Metigoshe, N.D., in July of 2012.

When he gets time away from restoring his 100-year-old home, Romesha enjoys watching and attending hockey games.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Romesha's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with four Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with two bronze service stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (with three bronze service stars),Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (with numeral two device), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral five device), NATO Medal (with bronze service star), the Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Combat Action Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

Graphic Battle Narrative or Sketch

UNDER INTENSE ENEMY FIRE

View a detailed slideshow presentation of the battle and read about the combat team's immeasurable courage and valor defending the outpost.

UNDER INTENSE ENEMY FIRE

At the time of the deadly attack on Combat Outpost (COP) Keating, Kamdesh district, Afghanistan, on Oct. 3, 2009, Staff Sgt. Romesha was a section leader assigned to Bravo Troop, 3-61 Cavalry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Area of Operations
At 6 a.m., Oct. 3, 2009, Combat Outpost Keating in Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, came under complex attack by an enemy force estimated at 300 fighters. The fighters occupied the high ground on all four sides of the combat outpost and initiated the attack with concentrated fire from B10 recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, DSHKA heavy machine gun fire, mortars and small-arms fire.

Area of Operations
At 6 a.m., Oct. 3, 2009, Combat Outpost Keating in Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, came under complex attack by an enemy force estimated at 300 fighters. The fighters occupied the high ground on all four sides of the combat outpost and initiated the attack with concentrated fire from B10 recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, DSHKA heavy machine gun fire, mortars and small-arms fire.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Initial Attack
At initial contact, Romesha pushed to the Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance vehicle battle position 1 (LRAS 1) under heavy enemy fire to ensure that the MK-19 automatic grenade launcher and Spc. Zachary Koppes were in the proper sector of fire and engaging enemy targets. After ensuring that Koppes was suppressing enemy activity in his sector, Romesha moved to the barracks and grabbed an MK-48 machine gun and an assistant gunner, Spc. Justin Gregory.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Engaging the Enemy on the Switchbacks
Moving through an open and uncovered avenue that was suppressed with a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, Romesha grabbed a limited amount of cover behind a generator and engaged a machine gun team that was on the high ground to the west. After destroying this team, he acquired an additional machine gun team that was firing an overwhelming amount of fire into the Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance vehicle battle position 2 (LRAS 2) from the switchbacks.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Shrapnel Wounds
As he was engaging the enemy machine gun team, a rocket-propelled grenade struck the generator and knocked him onto his assistant gunner, Spc. Justin Gregory. He quickly assessed Gregory and determined that he was fine. Not noticing his own wounds, Romesha re-engaged the enemy with his weapon system until an additional Soldier arrived to man the machine gun.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Engaging the Enemy to the North Face
Romesha then moved back through the open avenue to the barracks, where Spc. Thomas Rasmussen noticed his wounds and provided first aid. He again moved out to check on Spc. Zachary Koppes, grabbing the only accessible sniper rifle along the way, a Dragunov belonging to the Afghan National Army. Despite having only a basic knowledge with the foreign weapon, Romesha engaged multiple enemy positions on the north face, including a machine gun nest and sniper position. While continuing to expose himself to heavy enemy fire, Romesha engaged the enemy positions until they were no longer effective.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Outpost Outer Perimeter Breach
After engaging those targets, he moved back to the link up with his team. En route to that location, he saw three Taliban fighters who had breached the combat outpost's outer perimeter and were moving toward the laundry trailer. With a sense of calmness that inspired his Soldiers, Romesha engaged and destroyed the three targets with the Dragunov rifle and moved to the tactical operations center to give 1st Lt. Andrew L. Bundermann a report confirming that enemy forces were indeed moving inside the wire.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Securing the Ammunition Supply Point
Identifying the essential need for ammunition, Romesha planned and led a mission to secure the ammunition supply point. He assembled a five-man team, consisting of Spc. Thomas Rassmussen, Spc. Mark Dulaney, Spc. Josh Dannelley, Pfc. Christopher Jones and Sgt. Matthew Miller, and instructed them to load up on ammunition and crew-served weapons.

Under withering fire and multiple rocket-propelled grenade strikes, Romesha pushed his team to secure the ammunition supply point. In an attempt to provide covering fire for his maneuvering forces, Romesha used an M-240B machine gun team to secure a stronghold at a sandbagged position. He then led the team to clear the area support group commander's quarters, and once the building was clear, he solidified his position to provide multiple sectors of fire to suppress the high ground to the west and the south.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Securing the Ammunition Supply Point
While an enemy fighter attempted to breach the wire near Romesha's location, Spc. Josh Dannelley, a member of his team was shot in the arm. Romesha returned accurate M-4 fire and threw multiple hand grenades to destroy the enemy fighter. He evacuated Spc. Dannelley and returned to improve his position. In doing so, Romesha engaged targets and suppressed enemy forces to allow the remaining Soldiers at LRAS 2 and at Truck 1 battle position an opportunity to break contact and move back to friendly forces. Romesha coordinated and led his men to clear the ammunition supply point and then set up positions to secure it.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Reinforcing the Entry Control Point
Once the ammunition supply point was secure, Romesha determined that the entry control point was the next location that needed to be reinforced, because it was the only remaining enemy avenue of approach to the tactical operations center and aid station from the northwest. While Pfc. Christopher Jones and Staff Sgt. Ryan Schulz (Spc. Josh Dannelley's replacement) provided cover fire along the road to the north, Romesha led the rest of his team to secure and reinforce the entry control point building, using an M-203 and a squad automatic weapon.

At this point, several structures on the combat outpost were on fire.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Calling for Fire
After the entry control point was secured, enemy fighters engaged with a new intensity, sending a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades and B10 rounds into the building. Romesha informed the tactical operations center that the rounds were originating from the village of Urmul and the Afghan National Police checkpoint directly to the front of the entry control point. Calling grid coordinates to these locations, Romesha enabled the critical 120mm mortars and air support to drop onto enemy positions. As a result, more than 30 enemy forces were destroyed and Romesha and his men were able to hold the entry control point. Romesha's reporting and ability to direct air and indirect fire assets allowed friendly forces to gain and maintain this critical objective.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Providing Cover Fire
After receiving reports that there were still friendly forces at LRAS 2, Romesha provided an overwhelming amount of covering fire to allow Sgt. Bradley Larson, Spc. Ty Carter and Spc. Stephan Mace, who was seriously injured, to withdraw from a previously pinned down location.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Recovering the Fallen
Once the three Soldiers arrived at the aid station, 3rd Platoon was instructed to maneuver and support Romesha's next objective: to recover personnel killed in action at the LRAS 2. Due to heavy fire, 3rd Platoon was unable to maneuver, but Romesha decided to push anyway without the necessary suppressive and covering fire.

Under overwhelming enemy small-arms and RPG fire, with little support or covering fire, Romesha's team pushed through 100 meters of enemy fire with few covered positions along the way. Upon arriving at the objective, they evacuated the bodies of three American heroes: Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos, Spc. Christopher T. Griffin and Sgt. Vernon W. Martin. This maneuver, with great risk to himself and his Soldiers, prevented the enemy fighters from taking the American bodies off the combat outpost.

LEGEND:
slide symbol legend

Reflection
Throughout the day, Romesha understood the risks he was taking, and he knowingly put his life in danger to save the lives of his Soldiers and repel a numerically superior enemy force. Romesha was personally responsible for killing more than 10 enemy fighters with either a Dragunov, an M-4 or an MK-48, and an estimated 30 anti-Afghanistan forces with indirect fire and air support. He also led his men in killing a minimum of five others beyond that. Romesha recovered his fallen Soldiers and preserved the lives of several more. His heroic actions allowed Bravo Troop to reconsolidate on the combat outpost and enabled him to lead the counterattack that secured Combat Outpost Keating.

THE TEAM


Red Platoon — 1st Platoon
B Troop 3-61 Cavalry, 4th BCT, 4th ID

The 13-hour battle to re-take Combat Outpost Keating from an assault by 300 Taliban fighters on Oct. 3, 2009, was a team effort. Below are the members of Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha's platoon who fought beside him.

Four members of the team — Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos, Sgt. Joshua M. Hardt, Sgt. Joshua J. Kirk and Spc. Stephan L. Mace perished that day. This site is dedicated to their memory and the memory of the four other Black Knight troops — Sgt. Christopher T. Griffin, Staff Sgt. Vernon W. Martin, Sgt. Michael P. Scusa, and Pfc. Kevin C. Thomson — who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Ranks listed below are contemporary to the time the action took place.



Fallen heroes of the Battle of Combat Outpost Keating indicated with an asterisk.


  • team member photo

    1st Lt. Andrew L. Bundermann

    • Silver Star
    • Bronze Star
    • Army Commendation Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon
    • NATO Medal
    • Valorous Unit Award (2 awards)
    • Combat Action Badge
  • team member photo

    Sgt. Armando Avalos Jr.

    • Army Commendation Medal (5 awards)
    • Army Good Conduct Medal (3 awards)
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • NCO Professional Development Ribbon
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon (4 awards)
    • NATO Medal
    • Valorous Unit Award
    • Meritorious Unit Commendation
    • Combat Action Badge
  • team member photo

    Sgt. Bradley D. Larson

    • Silver Star
    • Purple Heart
    • Army Commendation Medal (2 awards)
    • Army Achievement Medal
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
    • Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • NCO Professional Development Ribbon
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards)
    • NATO Medal
    • Combat Action Badge
  • team member photo

    Spc. Justin J. Gregory

    • Army Commendation Medal with V device
    • Army Commendation Medal (3 awards)
    • Army Achievement Medal (7 awards)
    • Army Good Conduct Medal (2 awards)
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Korean Defense Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon (3 awards)
    • NATO Medal
    • COA
    • Valorous Unit Award
    • Combat Action Badge
  • team member photo

    Spc. Kyle J. Knight

    • Army Commendation Medal
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 campaign stars
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon
    • NATO Medal
    • Valorous Unit Award
    • Combat Action Badge
  • team member photo

    Spc. Zachary S. Koppes

    • Bronze Star with V device
    • Purple Heart
    • Army Commendation Medal
    • Army Achievement Medal (5 awards)
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Korean Defense Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards)
    • NATO Medal
    • Valorous Unit Award
    • Combat Action Badge
  • team member photo

    Spc. Thomas C. Rasmussen

    • Silver Star
    • Purple Heart
    • Army Commendation Medal (2 awards)
    • Army Achievement Medal (2 awards)
    • Army Good Conduct Medal (2 awards)
    • Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Iraq Campaign Medal
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • NCO Professional Development Ribbon
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon
    • NATO Medal
    • COA (4 awards)
    • Valorous Unit Award
    • Combat Action Badge
  • team member photo

    Pfc. Christopher B. Jones

    • Bronze Star with V device
    • Purple Heart
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas service Ribbon
    • NATO Medal
    • Valorous Unit Award
    • Combat Infantryman Badge
  • team member photo

    Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos*

    Posthumously promoted to staff sergeant
    • Silver Star
    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart (3 awards)
    • Army Commendation Medal (2 awards)
    • Army Achievement Medal (2 awards)
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards)
    • NATO Medal
    • Combat Action Badge
  • team member photo

    Sgt. Joshua M. Hardt*

    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart
    • Army Commendation Medal (2 awards)
    • Army Achievement Medal
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon
    • NATO Medal
    • Combat Action Badge
  • team member photo

    Sgt. Joshua J. Kirk*

    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart
    • Army Commendation Medal
    • Army Achievement Medal
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Ribbon
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon
    • NATO Medal (2 awards)
    • Combat Action Badge
  • team member photo

    Spc. Stephan L Mace*

    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • NATO Medal
    • Combat Action Badge

The Battle

Oct. 3, 2009 | Outpost Keating in Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan

The distinctive unit insignia of the 4th Infantry Division

4th Infantry Division



The 4th Division was organized at Camp Greene, North Carolina on November 17, 1917. The Roman numerals for four — IV — suggests the word ivy, from which the division adopts its insignia. The 4th Infantry Division motto is "Steadfast and Loyal".



Read full unit history

At 6 a.m., Oct. 3, 2009, Combat Outpost Keating in Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, came under complex attack by an enemy force estimated at 300 fighters. The fighters occupied the high ground on all four sides of the combat outpost and initiated the attack with concentrated fire from B10 recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, known as RPGs, DSHKA heavy machine gun fire, mortars and small-arms fire.

Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha displayed extraordinary heroism through a day-long engagement in which he killed multiple enemy fighters, recovered fallen Soldiers and led multiple recovery, resupply and counterattack operations.

At initial contact, Romesha pushed to the Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance vehicle battle position 1 — LRAS 1 — under heavy enemy fire to ensure that the MK-19 automatic grenade launcher and Spc. Zachary S. Koppes were in the proper sector of fire and engaging enemy targets. After ensuring that Koppes was suppressing enemy activity in his sector, Romesha moved to the barracks and grabbed an MK-48 machine gun and an assistant gunner, Spc. Justin J. Gregory.

Moving through an open and uncovered avenue that was suppressed with a barrage of RPGs and small-arms fire, Romesha grabbed a limited amount of cover behind a generator and engaged a machine gun team that was on the high ground to the west. After destroying this team, he acquired an additional machine gun team that was firing an overwhelming amount of fire into the LRAS 2 from the switchbacks. As he was engaging, an RPG struck the generator and knocked him onto his assistant gunner. He quickly assessed Gregory and determined that he was fine. Not noticing his own wounds, Romesha re-engaged the enemy with his weapon system until an additional Soldier arrived to man the machine gun, at which point Romesha moved back through the open avenue to the barracks to assemble an additional team. Once at the barracks, Spc. Thomas C. Rasmussen noticed Romesha's wounds and provided first aid.

Romesha assembled a five-man team and instructed them to load up on ammunition and crew-served weapons. While they were preparing, he again moved out to check on Koppes, grabbing the only accessible sniper rifle along the way, a Dragunov belonging to the Afghan National Army. Despite having only a basic knowledge with the foreign weapon, Romesha engaged multiple enemy positions on the north face, including a machine gun nest and sniper position. While continuing to expose himself to heavy enemy fire, Romesha engaged the enemy positions until they were no longer effective.

After engaging those targets, he moved back to the link up with his team. Enroute to that location, he saw three Taliban fighters who had breached the combat outpost's outer perimeter and were moving toward the laundry trailer. With a sense of calmness that inspired his Soldiers, Romesha engaged and destroyed the three targets with the Dragunov rifle and moved to the tactical operations center to give 1st Lt. Andrew L. Bunderman a report confirming that enemy forces were indeed moving inside the wire.



In their own words.

See interviews of Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha, teammates and family discussing the battle of Outpost Keating

Image above: Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha patrols the perimeter outside Forward Operating Base BosticK, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Identifying the essential need for ammunition, Romesha planned and led a mission to secure the ammunition supply point. Under withering fire and multiple RPG strikes, Romesha pushed his team to secure the ammunition supply point. In an attempt to provide covering fire for his maneuvering forces, Romesha used an M-240B machine gun team to secure a stronghold at a sandbagged position. He then led the team to clear the area support group commander's quarters. Once the building was clear, he solidified his position to provide multiple sectors of fire to suppress the high ground to the west and the south.

While an enemy fighter attempted to breach the wire near Romesha's location, a member of his team was shot in the arm. Romesha returned accurate M-4 fire and threw multiple hand grenades to destroy the enemy fighter. Romesha evacuated the casualty and returned to improve his position. In doing so, Romesha engaged targets and suppressed enemy forces to allow the remaining Soldiers at other battle positions, including LRAS 2, an opportunity to break contact back to friendly forces. Romesha coordinated and led his men to clear the ammunition supply point and then set up positions to secure it. Once the ammunition supply point was secure, Romesha determined that the entry control point was the next obstacle that needed to be reinforced, because it was the only remaining enemy avenue of approach to the tactical operations center and aid station from the northwest.

As 3rd Platoon provided a base of fire to cover the assault on the entry control point building, Romesha led his team to secure and reinforce the entry control point building using an M-203 and a squad automatic weapon. After the entry control point was secured, enemy fighters engaged with a new intensity, sending a barrage of RPGs and B10 rounds into the building. Romesha informed the tactical operations center that the rounds were originating from the village of Urmul and the Afghan National Police checkpoint directly to the front of the entry control point. Calling grid coordinates to the enemy locations, Romesha enabled the critical 120mm mortars and air support to drop in Urmul and the checkpoint. As a result, more than 30 enemy forces were destroyed and Romesha and his men were able to hold the entry control point. Romesha's reporting and ability to direct air and indirect fire assets allowed friendly forces to gain and maintain this critical objective.

After receiving reports that there were still friendly forces at LRAS 2, Romesha provided an overwhelming amount of covering fire to allow Sgt. Bradley D. Larson, Spc. Ty Carter and Pfc. Stephan L. Mace, who was seriously injured, to withdraw from a previously pinned down location. Once the three Soldiers arrived at the aid station, 3rd Platoon was instructed to maneuver and support Romesha's next objective: to recover personnel killed in action at the LRAS 2 vehicle battle position. Due to heavy fire, 3rd Platoon was unable to maneuver, but Romesha decided to push anyway without the necessary suppressive and covering fire. Under overwhelming enemy small-arms fire and RPG fire, with little support or covering fire, Romesha's team pushed through 100 meters of enemy fire with few covered positions along the way. Upon arriving at the objective, they evacuated the bodies of two American heroes, Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos and Sgt. Vernon W. Martin. This maneuver, with great risk to himself and his Soldiers, prevented the enemy fighters from taking the American bodies off the combat outpost.

Throughout the day, Romesha understood the risks he was taking, and he knowingly put his life in danger to save the lives of his Soldiers and repel a numerically superior enemy force. Romesha was personally responsible for killing more than 10 enemy fighters with either a Dragunov, an M-4 or an MK-48, and an estimated 30 anti-Afghanistan forces with indirect fire and air support. He also led his men in killing a minimum of five others beyond that. Romesha recovered his fallen Soldiers and preserved the lives of several more. His heroic actions allowed B Troop to reconsolidate on the combat outpost and enabled him to lead the counterattack that secured Combat Outpost Keating.

"[I accept and dedicate] the award on behalf of all the soldiers who served beside me when our outpost was attacked more than three years ago in Afghanistan...this award is for the eight soldiers that didn't make it, and for the rest of the team that fought valiantly and magnificently that day. I will forever be humbled by their bravery, their commitment to service, and their loyalty to one another."

Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha
Statement after Medal of Honor White House ceremony, February 11, 2013

Members of B Troop, 3-61 Cavalry Regiment, including Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha, several AH-64 Apache Helicopter pilots, and two Latvian soldiers pose for a group photo after the Battle at Combat Outpost Keating Oct. 3, 2009. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army.

The Ceremonies



Colin Romesha, son of former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha, is gently escorted off the Presidents podium during the Medal of Honor Ceremony. February 11, 2013. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Show Caption +

Colin Romesha, son of former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha, is gently escorted off the President's podium during the Medal of Honor Ceremony. February 11, 2013. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

President Barack Obama stands with Medal of Honor recipient former Army Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha as the citation is read during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington on February 11, 2013. Romesha is receiving the medal for his courageous actions while defending a combat outpost in Afghanistan in 2009. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Show Caption +

President Barack Obama stands with Medal of Honor recipient former Army Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha as the citation is read during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington on February 11, 2013. Romesha is receiving the medal for his courageous actions while defending a combat outpost in Afghanistan in 2009. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to former Army Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha during a ceremony in the East Room in Washington on February 11, 2013. Romesha is receiving the medal for his courageous actions while defending a combat outpost in Afghanistan in 2009. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Show Caption +

President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to former Army Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha during a ceremony in the East Room in Washington on February 11, 2013. Romesha is receiving the medal for his courageous actions while defending a combat outpost in Afghanistan in 2009. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

President Barack Obama praises Army veteran Staff Sgt. Clinton Romeshas team mates before he presents the Medal of Honor. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Show Caption +

President Barack Obama praises Army veteran Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha's team mates before he presents the Medal of Honor. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta presented former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha with a Medal of Honor flag during the Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Show Caption +

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta presented former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha with a Medal of Honor flag during the Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

From left, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Secretary of the Army John McHugh present a Hall of Heroes induction plaque to former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha and his wife, Tamara, during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Feb. 12, 2013. Romesha, who was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, was recognized for actions Oct. 3, 2009 during a firefight at Combat Outpost Keating in northeastern Afghanistan

Show Caption +

From left, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Secretary of the Army John McHugh present a Hall of Heroes induction plaque to former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha and his wife, Tamara, during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Feb. 12, 2013. Romesha, who was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, was recognized for actions Oct. 3, 2009 during a firefight at Combat Outpost Keating in northeastern Afghanistan's Nuristan province. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. John Martinez)



“Throughout history, the question has often been asked, why? Why do those in uniform take such extraordinary risks? And what compels them to such courage? You ask Clint and any of these Soldiers who are here today, and they'll tell you. Yes, they fight for their country, and they fight for our freedom. Yes, they fight to come home to their families. But most of all, they fight for each other, to keep each other safe and to have each other's backs. ”

President Barack Obama

White House Ceremony, February 11, 2013


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