Medal Of Honor Recipient To Speak In Natick On Veterans Day

NATICK, MA — Natick will get a visit from a Medal of Honor recipient for the 2019 Veterans Appreciation Dinner on Veterans Day. Former Army Sgt. Ryan Pitts was awarded the medal for bravery during a firefight in Afghanistan in 2008.

According to the Army, Pitts was severely wounded during an assault by anti-Afghan forces in Kunar Province on July 13, 2008. Even concussed and with arms and legs wounded by shrapnel, Pitts helped defend an observation post from 200 enemy fighters for about two hours, long enough for reinforcements to arrive.

"As the enemy drew nearer, Sergeant Pitts threw grenades, holding them after the pin was pulled and the safety lever was released to allow a nearly immediate detonation on the hostile forces. Unable to stand on his own and near death because of the severity of his wounds and blood loss, Sergeant Pitts continued to lay suppressive fire until a two-man reinforcement team arrived," reads an Army description of Pitts' actions in battle.

Pitts was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2014 by President Barack Obama. Pitts was born in Lowell, but now lives in New Hampshire.

The dinner will be held at fire department headquarters, 22 East Central St., at 6 p.m. on Nov. 11. RSVP before Nov. 6 by contacting Paul Carew at (508) 647-6545 or pcarew@natickma.org.