(SANTA FE, NM)—U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry became the 13th New Mexican to have his name added to the New Mexico Wall of Honor during a ceremony at the State Capitol Rotunda in Santa Fe on December 21st.

A full crowd joined Governor Susana Martinez, New Mexico Adjutant General Kenny Montoya, and New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services Secretary Tim Hale welcome Sgt. Petry to his hometown for the unveiling of a bronze plaque on the New Mexico Wall of Honor, which honors New Mexicans who have been awarded the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest military honor bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who have distinguished themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.

Sgt. Petry was presented with the honor by President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony on July 12th in recognition for his heroism on May 26th, 2008. On that date and while pinned down by the enemy in Afghanistan, Sgt. Petry was credited with saving the lives of two fellow U.S. Army Rangers when he threw away an enemy grenade which landed just a few feet away from position. He lost his right hand when the grenade detonated just as he threw it.  All three could have been killed had the grenade exploded where it had landed.

“I am extremely proud to welcome Sgt. Petry back to his hometown of Santa Fe, where shortly we will unveil a bronze plaque bearing the name of Sgt. Leroy Petry on the State Wall of Honor­­--the wall on the East Wing of the Capitol reserved for the most heroic of New Mexico’s war heroes,” said Governor Martinez in her remarks during the ceremony.  “We are honored that you are here today to witness this very special moment. On behalf of a grateful state and nation, I want to thank you for your service to our country, and your sacrifice to save the lives of other American soldiers. “

“Sgt. Petry displayed the ultimate courage, and lived up to the soldier’s creed on that day when he risked his life by not quitting and abandoning his fallen comrades,” said NMDVS Secretary Hale in his remarks. “He is truly a Soldier’s soldier…a hero…and all honors and glory he has received are certainly most deserving.”

After the remarks in the Rotunda, the ceremony then shifted to the East Wing of the Rotunda, where Sgt. Petry and Governor Martinez then pulled back two flags covering the bronze plaque bearing his name which had just been installed on The New Mexico Wall of Honor.

“Sometimes being brave means showing love…a love for your country, a love for your fellow soldiers,” said Petry after the unveiling. “You don’t want to let them down because you love them so much—and that’s pretty much why I did what I did.”

Sgt. Petry is the thirteenth New Mexican to have been awarded the Medal of Honor—and thus, the thirteenth person to have his name added to the New Mexico Wall of Honor. After extensive rehab and being fitted with a special robotic/bionic right hand, rather than retire he asked to be re-instated to active-duty status, and was sent back to Afghanistan.

All told Sgt. Petry has served six tours of duty in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq…and a combined 230 combat missions. He is the first-ever Medal of Honor Recipient from the highly decorated 75th Ranger Regiment--a unit which pre-dates the Revolutionary War

Sgt. Petry is only the 2nd active-duty person since the end of the Vietnam War to be awarded the Medal of Honor…and only the ninth soldier from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

U.S. Army SFC Leroy Petry is flanked by Governor Susana Martinez and NMDVS Secretary Tim Hale upon arrival at the State Capitol Rotunda.	Governor Susana Martinez welcomes SFC Petry during the ceremony in the  Rotunda.
(from L to R: NMDVS Secretary Tim Hale, U.S. Army SFC Leroy Petry, Governor Susana Martinez, New Mexico National Guard Adjutant General Kenny Montoya in front of the New Mexico Wall of Honor (note SFC Petry’s plaque at the bottom of the first column)..	U.S. Army SFC Leroy Petry admires his  Bronze Plaque…the thirteenth plaque on the Wall.