President Obama presented Clinton Romesha, a former Army staff sergeant, who four years ago, led a battle against hundreds of Taliban fighters, with the Medal of Honor on Monday.
Romesha led the defense of a plywood-and-concrete out post dangerously placed in a valley of the Afghan-mountains. The post was only staffed by a mere 53 American troops, according to USA Today. More than 300 Taliban fighters attacked the outpost from above on October 3, 2009. Throughout the day-long firefight, Romesha led efforts to beat back the Taliban after some of its fighters penetrated the camp, according to reports. CNN anchor Jake Tapper wrote about the attack in his book, "The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor."
In describing Romesha heroism, Obama said, "he gathered up his guys" after the Taliban invaded the outpost, "and they began to fight their way back -- storming one building and then another, pushing the enemy back, having to actually shoot up at the enemy in the mountains above."
A later investigation determined that the surrounding mountain terrain "gave ideal cover for insurgents to attack. Amid fire and smoke, Clint stood in the doorway calling in airstrikes that shook the earth all around them," the president said
Guests at the ceremony wept as Obama read the names of eight Americans who died in the firefight, New York Post reported. Obama reiterated that U.S. troops fight courageously for the freedom of all Americans.
"I accept this tremendous honor on behalf of all soldiers who have served with me that day," Romesha said. "This award is for the eight soldiers that didn't make it and for the rest of the team that fought valiantly and magnificently that day. I will forever be humbled by their bravery, their commitment to service and their loyalty to one another."
