On May 26, 2008. As a Weapons Squad Leader with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Staff Sgt. Petry moved to clear the courtyard of a house that potentially contained high-value combatants.
While crossing the courtyard, then Staff Sgt. Petry and another Ranger were engaged and wounded by automatic weapons fire from enemy fighters. Still under enemy fire, and wounded in both legs, Staff Sgt. Petry led the other Ranger to cover.
He then reported the situation and engaged the enemy with a hand grenade, providing suppression as another Ranger moved to his position. The enemy quickly responded by maneuvering closer and throwing grenades.
A second grenade then landed only a few feet away from them. Instantly realizing the danger, Staff Sergeant Petry, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, deliberately and selflessly moved forward & picked up the grenade.
In an effort to clear the immediate threat, threw the grenade away from his fellow Rangers. As he was releasing the grenade, it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist and further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds.
Staff Sergeant Leroy A. Petry re-enlisted in May 2010. Petry enjoys serving in the Army, and has a great opportunity to work with the care coalition; in his words, "If I can’t go to the fight, I can help the men who are wounded, injured or ill."
Sgt. Maj. Mike Vining: The Man. The Meme. The Army Legend.
An EOD technician and founding member of multiple elite units, Vining made his mark on Army history early in his career when he helped destroy a weapons cache with over 7 million rounds of ammunition.
He gained fame online as the subject of Army memes, thanks to his unassuming demeanor and stack of medals.
In honor of his birthday, here’s a small part of his incredible story.
Inspired by WWII movies, Vining wanted to defuse bombs from a young age.
He joined the Army in 1968 at just 17 years old, graduating from EOD training two years later.
Soon after, he volunteered to deploy to Vietnam with the 99th Ordnance Detachment.
Pictured: Sgt. Maj. Vining in the bottom left corner.
In May 1970, Vining deployed with the @1stCavalryDiv to a site that would become known as Rock Island East, the largest enemy weapons cache discovered by U.S. forces during the war.
The cache included:
▶️ 932 individual weapons
▶️ 85 crew-served weapons
▶️ 7,079,694 small arms and machine gun rounds
▶️ Nearly 1,000 rounds of 85 mm artillery shells for D-44 howitzers and T-34 tanks
We're rolling deep with Army vehicles and aircraft for our 250th Birthday Parade!
Here's a sneak peek at what we're bringing for this once-in-a-lifetime event! 🧵
#Army250
We've used the M1A2 Abrams tank since 1980; it was known for shooting accurately while on the move. It's first combat operation was Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Soldiers found it reliable, lethal, and tough, despite its limited range.
This might look and sound like a tank, but it's technically a Self-Propelled Howitzer.
First introduced in the 1960s, the Paladin has been upgraded and adapted to perform in various battlefields from the jungles to the desert.
Armed with a pistol and a cane, Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. landed with the first wave at Utah Beach on D-Day.
This is the epic story of the first General to land on D-Day, who was also the son of a U.S. President. 🧵
Roosevelt was the son of the legendary Rough Rider.
He volunteered to fight in WWI, earning a Distinguished Service Cross and the French Chevalier Légion d’Honneur.
Roosevelt was shot in the leg and was later forced to use a cane, but that didn’t stop him from joining the fight.
@CMOH_Society When WWII broke out, once again Roosevelt volunteered.
He led troops in North Africa and Sicily before being reassigned to help plan the D-Day invasion.
But he wanted to do more than plan, he wanted to be with his troops.
The Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stand guard day and night, rain or shine, at @ArlingtonNatl. Here are five facts about this elite position within the @USArmyOldGuard, a role few can claim. 🧵
#MemorialDay
📸 Elizabeth Fraser, Arlington National Cemetery
@ArlingtonNatl @USArmyOldGuard Elite Status: Tomb Guards are among the most elite soldiers in the U.S. Army. They must pass a rigorous selection process, undergo intensive training, and demonstrate exceptional attention to detail.
📸 Elizabeth Fraser, Arlington National Cemetery
@ArlingtonNatl @USArmyOldGuard Becoming a Sentinel: After members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) become ceremonially qualified, they may volunteer to serve as Sentinels. If selected, they are assigned to Company E.