Kyle White

What does it take to keep fighting when wounded, surrounded by enemy fire, and faced with the possibility of death? For U.S. Army Sergeant Kyle Jerome White, the answer was an unwavering commitment to his fellow soldiers. On 9 November 2007, during one of the deadliest ambushes faced by his unit in Afghanistan, White repeatedly risked his life to save wounded comrades, restore communications and coordinate the evacuation of survivors. His extraordinary courage at Aranas would ultimately earn him the United States' highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

White enlisted in the United States Army on 15 February 2006. After completing infantry and airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he joined Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. Serving as a platoon radio telephone operator, he deployed to Afghanistan in spring 2007 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

On 9 November 2007, White and his fellow soldiers were returning from a meeting with village elders near Aranas in Nuristan Province when enemy fighters launched a coordinated ambush from elevated mountain positions. An enemy rocket-propelled grenade explosion knocked White unconscious, while further enemy fire wounded him with shrapnel to the face. Despite suffering multiple injuries and concussions, he refused to abandon his comrades. He crawled through exposed terrain to reach wounded Specialist Kain Schilling, applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and used his own belt to provide additional lifesaving treatment. He also repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire while attempting to assist Marine Sergeant Phillip Bocks, who was mortally wounded.

When the patrol's radios were disabled, White located a functioning radio and restored communications with friendly forces. His accurate situation reports enabled supporting mortars, artillery and close air support to engage enemy positions. As darkness fell, he helped establish a defensive perimeter, coordinated medical evacuation and assisted in loading the wounded onto helicopters. Despite his deteriorating physical condition, White refused evacuation until the other wounded personnel had been taken to safety. His actions saved the life of Schilling and helped ensure the successful evacuation of the surviving casualties. Six American servicemen lost their lives during the battle.

The official Medal of Honor citation recognizes White's conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty. President Barack Obama presented him with the Medal of Honor on 13 May 2014, recognising a remarkable act of selflessness that represented the highest traditions of the United States Army.

White's military record also includes the Purple Heart; the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and Combat V device; the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; the Army Good Conduct Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one campaign star; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; the Army Service Ribbon; the Army Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2; and the NATO Medal. His unit, Chosen Company, also received the Presidential Unit Citation and the Valorous Unit Award.

Following his Afghanistan deployment, White served with the 4th Ranger Training Battalion at Fort Benning before leaving active-duty military service in May 2011. Using the educational opportunities provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, he pursued higher education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, earning a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance.

Kyle White's story is not simply one of surviving an ambush or receiving the nation's highest military honour. It is a story of loyalty, sacrifice and the extraordinary responsibility soldiers feel toward those standing beside them. His courage at Aranas ensured that wounded comrades were not left behind, while the memory of the six men who died that day remained an enduring part of his journey. His actions continue to represent the enduring spirit of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the highest ideals of military service.