Soldier's dad discusses Medal of Honor

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) - A Santa Fe soldier is preparing to receive the highest military honor for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Next month Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry of Santa Fe will be awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama.

News 13 spoke with Leroy’s father at the Flag Day Ceremony in Santa Fe on Tuesday.

“He’s really overwhelmed with this," Larry Petry said.  "He keeps saying, 'Dad, I was just doing my job; any other solider would have done it,' and I said, 'Well, son, you did something great, and they really want to honor you for that.'"

Petry is being honored for his actions in May 2008 while he and his fellow Army Rangers were battling insurgents in Afghanistan.

The team came under heavy fire, Petry took a bullet through both legs, and as he was attempting to throw back an enemy grenade it detonated blowing off his hand.

Petry’s father said he is extremely proud to have played a role in bringing up such a patriotic son.

“It’s an honor to have a son getting the Medal of Honor, but like I tell everybody else, he did it, so the honor all goes to him,” Petry said.

Sgt. Petry will receive the medal in a White House ceremony on July 12.

He is only the second living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.