Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts received the Medal of Honor Monday for his valorous actions in one of Afghanistan’s bloodiest battles.

As is typical of American warriors, Pitts was humble and thankful. “While it is an honor to have been nominated for the award, it is not mine alone,” he said. “The honor belongs to every man who fought at Vehicle Patrol Base Kahler, especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice that allowed the rest of us to return home. I have an absolute responsibility to tell our story, because there are nine men who cannot and it is their names you should know.” The dead were 1st Lt. Jonathan Brostrom; Cpl. Jonathan Ayers; Cpl. Jason Bogars; Cpl. Jason Hovater; Cpl. Matthew Phillips; Cpl. Pruitt Rainey; Cpl. Gunnar Zwilling; Sgt. Israel Garcia; and Spc. Sergio Abad.

He added, “I take comfort somehow in the pain of that loss, because it reminds me that they meant something to me and I never want to forget that and I appreciate the sacrifice they made for us.”

We told Pitts’ story in June. You can read it here.