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Jonathan Kellylee Peney |
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Engagements: • Afghanistan War (Operation Enduring Freedom) (2001 - present) |
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Jonathan Kellylee Peney From 31 May to 1 June 2010, Sergeant Jonathan Kellylee Peney was serving as a Ranger Platoon Medic with Company D, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, GA, while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. During the night of 31 May, SGT Peney’s unit executed a helicopter assault raid on an objective in order to disrupt the enemy. Following insertion by helicopter, the ground force completed their maneuver to clear the objective area and establish security, in order to remain on the objective and continue operations throughout the following day. Shortly after dawn, the ground force was effectively engaged by multiple concealed enemy fighting positions from the South, East and West of the objective area. Just moments after making contact with the enemy, a Ranger Team Leader positioned on a rooftop on the northern end of the objective was shot and critically wounded. With an intense volley of effective enemy machine gun fire impacting the rooftop and the adjacent outer courtyard walls, it was clearly evident that the enemy was targeting the squad that was pinned down and exposed on the roof. The enemy was in the midst of what would turn out to be a superbly-coordinated attack on the platoon from 3 different directions at varying ranges of 150-300 meters and lasting nearly an hour. The automatic weapons fire was so intense and effective that it was unfathomable that the platoon did not sustain more serious casualties. With the squad pinned down in a prone position and a Ranger Team Leader gravely wounded and suffering a tension pneumothorax, the squad called out for a medic. SGT Peney, the ground force medic, received the call from the platoon sergeant requesting medical treatment for the wounded team leader. SGT Peney was centrally located in the main courtyard and answered the summons. SGT Peney moved to the base of the ladder on the South wall of the compound. Without hesitation or concern about his own safety, SGT Peney climbed through the barrage of effective enemy fire in a valiant attempt to reach the wounded team leader and provide him with critical medical treatment. At the top of his climb, when SGT Peney crested the rooftop, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. SGT Peney's valorous action under direct fire and his overwhelming dedication and commitment to the welfare of his ground force on the battlefield inspired the men of the platoon to gain fire superiority over the enemy. The platoon answered with an overwhelming volume of fire to cover the egress of the pinned-down squad and the casualties off the roof of the target building. Throughout the remainder of the day, the platoon repelled numerous enemy attacks on the objective area. SGT Peney's selfless action and tremendous fortitude in the face of a heavily armed and well trained enemy earned him great distinction among his peers as he knowingly and willingly climbed into a hail of gunfire to aid his critically wounded Ranger buddy. SGT Peney’s courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal. SGT Peney was on his 4th deployment to Afghanistan. Medals, Awards, Badges and Tabs Silver Star Medal Silver Star Medal Citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Jonathan Kellylee Peney, United States Army, for gallantry in action from 31 May to 1 June 2010, during combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, as a Ranger Platoon Medic for a joint task force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Sergeant Peney displayed selfless courage and overwhelming dedication to the members of his Ranger platoon in maneuvering through enemy fire to provide medical treatment for a wounded comrade. Without hesitation or regard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Peney climbed to an elevated position to provide medical treatment for a critically wounded Ranger, knowingly exposing himself to effective enemy fire. While moving to treat the casualty, Sergeant Peney was mortally wounded. Sergeant Peney's distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, this command and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: Sergeant Jonathan K. Peney distinguished himself through exceptionally valorous achievement from May 31 to June 1, 2010 while serving as a Ranger Platoon Medic in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During the night of May 31, Company D, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment executed a helicopter assault raid on an objective in order to disrupt the enemy. Following insertion by helicopter, the ground force completed their maneuver to clear the objective area and establish security, in order to remain on the objective and continue operations throughout the following day. Shortly after dawn, the ground force was effectively engaged by multiple concealed enemy fighting positions from the South, East and West of the objective area. Just moments after making contact with the enemy, a Ranger Team Leader positioned on a rooftop on the northern end of the objective was shot and critically wounded. With an intense volley of effective enemy machine gun fire impacting the rooftop and the adjacent outer courtyard walls, it was clearly evident that the enemy was targeting the squad that was pinned down and exposed on the roof. The enemy was in the midst of what would turn out to be a superbly coordinated attack on the platoon from three different directions at varying ranges of 150-300 meters and lasting nearly an hour. The automatic weapons fire was so intense and effective; it was unfathomable that the platoon did not sustain more serious casualties at this point. With the squad pinned down in a prone position and a Ranger Team Leader gravely wounded and suffering a tension pneumothorax, the squad called out for a medic. Sergeant Peney, the ground force medic, received the call from the platoon sergeant requesting medical treatment for the wounded team leader. Sergeant Peney was centrally located in the main courtyard and answered the summons. Sergeant Peney moved to the base of the ladder on the South wall of the compound. Without hesitation and with total disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Peney knowingly climbed through the barrage of effective enemy fire in a valorous attempt to reach the wounded team leader and provide him with critical medical treatment. At the top of his climb, when he crested the rooftop, Sergeant Peney was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Sergeant Peney's valorous actions under direct fire and his overwhelming dedication and commitment to the welfare of his ground force on the battlefield inspired the men of the platoon to gain fire superiority over the enemy. The platoon answered with an overwhelming volume of fire to cover the egress of the pinned down squad and the casualties off the roof of the target building. Throughout the remainder of the day, the platoon repelled numerous enemy attacks on the objective area. Sergeant Peney's selfless actions and tremendous fortitude in the face of a heavily armed and well trained enemy earn him great distinction among his peers as he knowingly and willingly climbed into a hail of gunfire to aid his critically wounded Ranger buddy. Sergeant Peney's valorous actions reflect great credit upon himself, the 75th Ranger Regiment and the United States Army. Honors Sergeant Jonathan Kellylee Peney was named the 2010 USASOC Medic of the Year. Burial Sergeant Jonathan Kellylee Peney's burial location is unknown. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53169051/jonathan-k-peney |
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| Honoree ID: 9297 | Created by: MHOH | |||
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