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Pres. Obama To Award Medal Of Honor To New Hampshire Man

A former Army staff sergeant from Nashua is becoming the latest recipient of a Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama.

Obama is scheduled to bestow the nation's highest military decoration on Ryan Pitts during a White House ceremony next month.

Pitts grew up in Mont Vernon and is a 2003 graduate of Souhegan High School.

Lt. Col. Greg Heilshorn with the New Hampshire National Guard described Pitts as a thoughtful, articulate young man.

“Who believes very strongly that the medal is not his, rather it belongs to his unit which he calls his family. It’s important to note that some of his closest friends were among those killed that day in that battle.”

His base was attacked by insurgents during the morning of July 13, 2008.

Nine soldiers were killed and Pitts was among 27 who were injured.

Pitts also will become the ninth living recipient to be so honored for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

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