Medal of Honor Monday: Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti

 Sept. 15, 2025 | By Katie Lange, Pentagon News |

In June 2006, high above a valley in Afghanistan, 16 soldiers on patrol valiantly tried to stave off a huge swarm of insurgents. It was on that ridge that Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared Christopher Monti gave his life while attempting to protect one of his comrades. That moment of courage and selflessness led him to receive a posthumous Medal of Honor.  

Monti was born Sept. 20, 1975, in Abington, Massachusetts, to Paul and Janet Monti. He had a sister, Nicole, and a brother, Timothy. 

When the family moved to nearby Raynham, Monti began to develop a sense of adventure and a love of sports, of which he played several. At Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, he participated in triathlons and wrestled, even earning the under-17 New England weightlifting championship. He also volunteered with an after-school program for children at a local YMCA where his mother taught preschool.  

Monti was determined to join the Army, so in March 1993, he enlisted in the service's delayed entry program. He went to basic training between his junior and senior years of high school. After graduating in 1994, he went on active duty and became a fire support specialist, supporting intelligence and targeting in field artillery units. 

Over the next several years, Monti served twice in South Korea and trained as a paratrooper. In 1999, he went on a two-year deployment to Kosovo. During that time, he was injured in a parachute jump, but he refused to take a medical discharge and instead reenlisted.  

Monti was eventually assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. In 2003, he deployed to Afghanistan with the division's 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Before returning home, he received an Army Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star for his actions during an insurgent ambush.  

In February 2006, Monti returned to Afghanistan for a second deployment, this time with the division's 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. 

On June 21, 2006, Monti was serving as a team leader in the area of Gowardesh in northeastern Afghanistan, along the Pakistani border. Monti led a 16-man patrol with the goal of setting up a small base on a ridge to gather intelligence and direct fire against the enemy in support of a larger Army operation in the valley below.

Unfortunately, the larger operation was delayed, which caused Monti's team to run low on provisions and require aerial restocking. The helicopter that brought them supplies also revealed their position to insurgents. Soon after, their patrol was attacked by as many as 50 enemy fighters, who set up two positions about 50 yards above Monti's team on the ridge.  

It was clear to Monti that his team would soon be overrun, so he quickly directed his men to fire back from behind a rock formation that could shield them. He then called for indirect fire support on top of the enemy, which was closing in fast. He also fought off insurgents using his rifle and a grenade, successfully disrupting an attempt to flank his patrol.  

But then Monti saw Army Spc. Brian Bradbury lying severely wounded out in the open, and he knew he had to get to him. Another soldier said he would try to rescue Bradbury, but Monti ordered the soldier back, saying, "That's my guy. I'm going to get him." 

Twice, Monti disregarded his own safety to try and reach Bradbury. Both times, he was forced back by relentless enemy fire.  

On his third attempt, Monti was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. He tried to crawl back to cover but didn't quite make it. However, he was in earshot of his comrades, who said he told them that he'd made his peace with God, and to tell his family he loved them.  

A few minutes after Monti died, the air support he called in finally arrived, killing several insurgents and dispersing the rest, which saved the remaining members of his patrol.  

Unfortunately, Bradbury didn't survive. He died when a medevac's hoist broke as it tried to lift him into a helicopter. Two other patrol members, Army Staff Sgt. Patrick Lybert and Army Staff Sgt. Heathe Craig, also died during the 18-hour battle.  

Monti's body was eventually repatriated and buried in Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts.  

On Sept. 17, 2009, Monti's parents received the Medal of Honor on his behalf from President Barack Obama during a White House ceremony. He was the second service member to receive it for actions taken in Afghanistan.  

Monti has been remembered as a humble and giving man. His name adorns many landmarks and buildings, including in the military community. In 2009, a combat outpost in Afghanistan was renamed COP Monti. That same year, a bridge near his hometown was renamed the Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti Bridge. In the years that followed, a fitness center at Fort Drum and a training facility at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, were also named in his honor. 

In 2014, country musician Lee Brice put out a song titled "I Drive Your Truck" that was inspired by a radio feature in which Monti's father reminisced about his son and the truck he drove in remembrance of him. The song was named song of the year during the 49th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.  

This past April, the new Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti Soldier and Squad Research Facility at the Army Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts, was dedicated to him. Monti's sister, who spoke at the ceremony, said the family wasn't sure what to do with all his medals, uniforms and other military memorabilia until this opportunity arose.  

"We wanted them to go where we knew they'd be honored," Nicole Monti-Alicea told the crowd during the dedication. "After our meeting, we knew that Jared's highest honors belonged here … and my mother finally got the one thing she always wanted — for her son to finally rest in peace."   

During the ceremony, Brice performed an acoustic version of his award-winning song for the crowd, using Monti's actual pickup truck as a backdrop for the touching tribute.  

Army Reserve Staff Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Bulk Cash Smuggling and Theft of Government Property While Serving in Afghanistan

A Fort Buchanan Army Reserve Staff Sergeant pleaded guilty today to bulk cash smuggling of $113,050 and theft of government property worth $6,302 while serving in Afghanistan.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rose Emilia Rodriguez-Velez of the District of Puerto Rico, Special Agent in Charge Carlos Cases of the FBI’s San Juan Division Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Gary J. Hartwig of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Chicago Field Office, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John F. Sopko, Director Frank Robey of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s (CID) Major Procurement Fraud Unit, Acting Special Agent in Charge Paul Sternal of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s (DCIS) Mid-Atlantic Field Office and Brigadier General Keith M. Givens, Commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) made the announcement.

Luis Ramon Casellas, 42, of Canovanas, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Camille L. Velez-Rive of the District of Puerto Rico to three counts of bulk cash smuggling and one count of theft of government property.  Sentencing before U.S. District Judge Carmen Consuelo Cerezo of the District of Puerto Rico will be scheduled at a later date.

Since 2009, Casellas has been an Army Reservist Staff Sergeant on active status based at Fort Buchanan in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.  In April 2013, Casellas was deployed by the Army to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.  As part of his duties, Casellas was responsible for helping to break down smaller bases in preparation for the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan.  These duties included retrieving U.S. government property for future use and selling unsuitable material as scrap to Afghan contractors.

Between June 17 and Aug. 9, 2013, Casellas was the leader of a three-person Army team that went to a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Afghanistan to help break down that base.  In connection with his plea, Casellas admitted that, while this team was at the FOB, he stole tools and equipment, including laptops, belonging to the U.S. Department of Defense.  Casellas also admitted that, in July 2013, Casellas sent approximately eight boxes from the FOB through the U.S. Postal Service addressed to his wife in Puerto Rico, and that the boxes contained some of the stolen government property and undeclared U.S. currency totaling $50,500.

In addition, in August 2013, Casellas sent two boxes from Kandahar through UPS, again addressed to his wife, that were marked as “gifts for family.”  In connection with his plea, Casellas admitted that, although he declared that the items inside the boxes were valued at $700 and $400, respectively, one box contained some of the stolen government property as well as $41,750 in U.S. currency, and the other box contained $20,800 in U.S. currency.  These boxes were intercepted by U.S. Customs in Louisville, Kentucky.

This case was investigated by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, the FBI, ICE-HSI, Army CID, DCIS and AFOSI.  This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Daniel P. Butler of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia M. Meconiates of the District of Puerto Rico.

Kitsap Sailor Awarded Bronze Star Medal For Valor in Combat

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Lawrence Davis, Navy Public Affairs Support Element-West, Det. Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- A Navy officer was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for valorous action during Operation Enduring Freedom in a ceremony at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 Detachment Bangor, Aug. 30.

Lt. j.g. Dominic R. Frank was cited May 22 for exceptionally valorous conduct as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer in Charge for Operational Detachment Alpha-3336 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on Jan. 28, 2010. He distinguished himself by supporting the operational detachment alpha with his steadfast courage and professionalism.

The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to an individual who, while serving in or with the military of the United States, distinguishes him or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.

Rear Adm. Mark Rich, commander, Navy Region Northwest presented the medal.

"Lt. j.g. Frank is an example of courage and service to everyone in our region, and represents the best our Navy and Nation have to offer," said Rich.

"It's kind of bitter sweet," said Frank after receiving the award. "I mean this was a very bad day where a lot of guys out there did the right thing, like one of the medics who got wounded out there and got a Silver Star. He took a [bullet] in his shoulder and as he was bleeding he was still treating guys on their way to the bird."

On Jan. 28, 2010, the 1st Company, 6th Commandos and Operational Detachment-Alpha 3336 conducted an air assault onto objective Lincoln in the Lak Shar Ghar village, Nadi Ali district to clear a series of compounds suspected of housing enemies of Afghan leaders.

Due to the high number of pressure-plate improvised explosive devices (IED), Frank put himself in front of the assault force and cleared a path from the insertion point up to the target compound using his metal detector and mine probe. Frank commanded his EOD element through sensitive site exploitation and cleared all four compounds of explosive threats.

As one of the Operational Detachment-Alpha medics was wounded and the other treated Commandos, Frank took command of the treatment of an Air Force Combat Controller who received a gunshot wound and fell 14 feet from a rooftop.

"Initial shock, the first thirty seconds, it's a blur," said Frank. "Then as you actually pull down and take a step back, you'll be amazed how you react, and you know, I think it all goes back to the training. Even the most mundane, menial tasks we train on help out there."

Exposing himself to a barrage of enemy fire, Frank led the stretcher teams out of the safety of the compound and to the helicopter landing zone. He provided immeasurable support to the Operational Detachment-Alpha and engaged the enemy in 270-degree battle with complete disregard for his own personal safety.

"To be honest, I was more concerned about my guys' well-being and making sure they were safe than I was returning fire to the enemy," said Frank.

Frank attributed his achievements much to the efforts of his team and said he felt lucky to be alive.

"It's like, I feel good that I got the award but at the same time not," said Frank. "I got this award just supporting my guys and I'm just glad I made it out of that one."

 A native of East Liverpool, Ohio, Frank joined the Navy in 1995. Currently, he is serving as EODMU 11 shore-based Detachment Bangor OIC responsible for EOD strategic weapon, IED, surface, chemical, biological, radiological, and underwater response for Navy Region Northwest.

People Fuel Military Cooperation, Dempsey Says

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Aug. 22, 2012 – The “software” of personal relationships is more important than hardware in building military-to-military ties between nations, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today while returning from a visit to Afghanistan and Iraq.

After two days of talks with U.S. and Afghan officials in Kabul, Afghanistan, the chairman met yesterday in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Gen. Zebari Babakir, Iraq’s defense chief.

“It’s about the software. It’s about relationships,” he told reporters traveling with him aboard a C-17 en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md. “We almost always talk about the hardware – the F-16s, the radar, the tanks. We went through that [with Iraq]. It’s part of the conversation. But we managed to talk about software – the human dimension of this thing.”

The various U.S. defense and service war colleges now have 154 Iraqi officers as students. The program, funded via the State Department, provides a world-class professional military education experience for foreign officers. Dempsey said he is passionate about this program, and it has results. Dempsey and his Pakistani counterpart, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, first met when they were Command and General Staff College students, the chairman noted.

“I’m a passionate proponent of that,” he said. “I can go around the world where we are having some of our most significant challenges and find someone who has been to one of our schools. It’s a great foundation on which to build.”

But this takes time, he acknowledged, and Americans have never been particularly noted for being patient.

“I’ve invested half a decade in my relationships in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Dempsey said. “It’s time. You can’t blow into a room in any culture, but particularly Arab culture and South Asia,” and expect to understand what is going on or be even remotely effective, he added.

This will grow even more important as the U.S. strategy emphasizes the Asia-Pacific region, Dempsey said.

“Touch-and-go landings are antithetical to relationships,” he said, employing an aviation analogy to make his point that leaders cannot simply land and take off somewhere and expect awareness of a culture or an understanding of problems, conditions and challenges.

“I think you only develop a feel for a relationship and sense when it is genuine over time,” he said.

This was why the U.S. military has tried to return service members and units to areas in Afghanistan where they have served before, Dempsey said. “We deliberately started rotating people back to the same battle space so they could fall in to some extent on existing relationships,” he explained.

This must be done consciously, he said, adding that rebalancing the U.S. military focus to the Asia-Pacific region never was intended to be a light switch that’s off today and on tomorrow. “I’ve said early and often that this will take us some time – six, seven or eight years,” the chairman said. “The reason I said it would take time is exactly because I know what we’ve still got to do and the issues that confront us.”

Dempsey said the military must “start shifting our intellectual bandwidth” to get in tune with Asia-Pacific nations. The military needs to develop the people who have the necessary levels of cultural awareness and linguistic ability now for the force the nation needs in 2020, he said.

“I call it the three mores: we’ve got to pay more attention, [have] more engagement, and then we’ll send more of our better quality people,” he added.

Though some people have said the U.S. shift would provoke China, Dempsey said, he disagrees. “I’m of the exact opposite opinion,” he said. “I think the chance of miscalculation increases in our absence, not in our presence.”

Dempsey also discussed some standards of his leadership. He said he is currently reading “Beautiful Souls” by Eyal Press, a book that examines the nature of dissent.

“I often think about how I provide my advice and on what basis,” he said. “I talk about my moral compass, and how I make sure I stay true north – or, to use that phrase out of ‘The Marine Corps Hymn,’ how I keep my honor clean. So I’m always thinking about how do I balance the competing priorities and make the best recommendations.”

And, Dempsey said, he is not afraid of criticism.

“It’s how you react to it,” he said. “If someone comes in and tell me I stunk at a particular speech or I gave bad advice or I was dismissive of a particular idea, if I react badly to that, the chances of them coming back are pretty slim. On the other hand, I don’t have to agree, but I need to listen. It’s really how I react to it.”