American Soldiers Who Earned the Medal of Honor Fighting Terrorism

Following the Sept 11, 2001, attacks on American civilians, the U.S. Armed Forces launched a counter-offensive on terrorists in Afghanistan known as Operation Enduring Freedom. Under Pres. George W. Bush, the campaign began a long and protracted war to end radical Islamic terrorism in the Middle East.

After 17 years of U.S. and Coalition forces confronting and eradicating the likes of Al Qaeda and ISIS, only the bravest of the brave American soldiers have been awarded the Medal of Honor. These are some of their stories.

Navy SEAL Senior Chief Petty Officer Britt Slabinski
After Slabinski’s helicopter was downed on Afghanistan’s Takur Ghar mountain, he shielded his team members from insurgent fire while trekking through deep snow. During combat, Slabinski picked up a wounded American and carried him toward safety while calling for an airstrike on insurgents. The Chief Petty Officer was initially honored with the Navy Cross. Pres. Trump upgraded the award on May 24, 2018, based on his exemplary bravery in the face of the enemy to the Medal of Honor.

Air Force Technical Sergeant John Chapman
The highly decorated Sgt. Chapman confronted terrorist forces in a rescue effort to save an American soldier who was thrown from a helicopter. After the aircraft was struck by a rocket-launched grenade, Sgt. Chapman ignored his own wounds as he fought forward in an attempt to save the life of Navy SEAL Neil Roberts. Known as the Battle of Roberts Ridge, Sgt. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor more than 16 years after the fight by Pres. Trump in August, 2018.

Green Beret Staff Sergeant Ronald Shurer
This former Army medic emerged as one of the bravest Green Berets in the War on Terror. He charged into enemy fire to treat and rescue four Americans. Using his own body to shield his fellow soldiers from enemy fire, Sgt. Shurer sustained wounds but returned to see the fight through. Initially given the Silver Star, Pres. Trump awarded Sgt. Shurer with the Medal of Honor on Oct. 1, 2018. The former Green Beret currently serves in the U.S. Secret Service.

Sergeant First Class Paul Smith
In a coordinated defense of more than 100 American soldiers on April 4, 2003, Sgt. Smith engaged the enemy outside Baghdad with hand grenades, anti-tank weapons, and machine gun fire after being surrounded. The hero suffered fatal wounds while covering the evacuation of wounded Americans. Sgt. First Class Smith was posthumously awarded the first-ever Medal of Honor of the Global War on Terror by President George W. Bush exactly two years later.

Marine Corps Corporal Jason Lee Dunham
In what ranks among the most selfless and heroic acts in combat, on April 14, 2004, Cpl. Jason Dunham threw his own body on an enemy grenade. After saving two squad members from the blast, he clung to life for eight days. Today, the Medal of Honor recipient’s name adorns a missile carrier, the USS Jason Dunham.

Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael Murphy
When Lt. Murphy’s SEAL team was cut-off by Taliban insurgents, he made his way through enemy fire to a clearing and called for air support on June 25, 2008. He held the position and was fatally wounded while protecting the lives of his team members. The Medal of Honor winner’s name adorns the destroyer USS Michael Murphy.

Sergeant First Class Jared Monti
On June 21, 2006, Sgt. Monti charged into enemy fire to save the life of a wounded team member. He repeatedly ran into enemy fire in an attempt to rescue a wounded teammate. Refusing to back down from the enemy in Afghanistan or leave an American soldier behind, he fell during his third rescue attempt. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on Sept. 17, 2008.

Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor
Standing his post in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Monsoor was struck by a hand grenade on Sep. 29, 2006. With knowledge of the grenade, he was the only soldier who could have escaped the blast. Rather than save himself, the Navy SEAL covered the explosive and shielded two fellow soldiers. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his selfless bravery on April 8, 2008.

~ Conservative Zone