Ryan Pitts, a 2013 graduate of UNH Manchester's Business program and UNH Alumni Board member, will receive the Medal of Honor for his combat actions in Afghanistan.
"Sgt. Ryan Pitts is a remarkable young man who went above and beyond the call of duty to defend his fellow soldiers and his country," said University of New Hampshire President Mark Huddleston. "After his military service he graduated with honors from UNH and currently serves on our Alumni Association board of directors, providing thoughtful perspectives to our discussions. We join the nation in recognizing his selfless commitment and heroism in battle, and are proud to call him a Wildcat."
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Courtesy of the US Army, ARNEWS
The White House announced today that former Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts will receive the Medal of Honor for his combat actions during an enemy engagement in Wanat in the Waygal Valley of northeastern Afghanistan, July 13, 2008.
President Barack Obama will place the Medal of Honor around Pitts' neck during a ceremony at the White House, July 21, 2014.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts joined the Army in 2003, at the age of 17 under the delayed entry program. He attended basic training and advanced individual training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.
Pitts then went to the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., before being assigned as a radio telephone operator for the 4th Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment and 173rd Airborne Brigade at Camp Ederle, Italy from 2004-2005. He remained headquartered at Camp Ederle as part of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Abn. Bde. from 2006 to 2009.
While assigned to the 173rd, Pitts deployed twice to Afghanistan. His first deployment in 2005 lasted 12 months. His final deployment spanned 15 months beginning in 2007. Pitts departed the active-duty Army in 2009.
His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from the University of New Hampshire at Manchester. He currently resides in Nashua, New Hampshire where he is in business development for the computer software industry.
His military education includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Pathfinder Course, and the Warrior Leader Course.
Pitts’ other awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal with bronze clasp and two loops, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 4 device, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutists Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Valorous Unit Award.
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