SHAHEEN CONGRATULATES SGT. RYAN PITTS ON MEDAL OF HONOR AWARD

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) congratulated Sergeant Ryan Pitts of Nashua today after it was announced he will receive the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the battle of Wanat on July 13, 2008 against an armed enemy at Wanat Vehicle Patrol Base, Kunar Province. Pitts enlisted in the Army after graduating from Souhegan High School in Amherst and later graduated from the University of New Hampshire with honors after completing his service in Afghanistan. The battle of Wanat was one of the bloodiest of the Afghan War, killing nine American soldiers and wounding another 27.

“Sgt. Ryan Pitts went above and beyond the call of duty to defend his country and his fellow soldiers, and the Medal of Honor is a fitting recognition for this extraordinary young man and all he has sacrificed for our country,” Shaheen said. “Sgt. Pitts represents the best of our men and women in uniform and we in New Hampshire are grateful for his service and are proud to call him one of our own.”

Pitts will be awarded the Medal of Honor on July 21, 2014. He and his wife currently reside in Nashua with their one year old son.