About

SFC Monti enlisted in the U.S. Army March 1993, and attended basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, OK, earning his Military Occupational Specialty of 13F (Forward Observer). He is a graduate of Joint Firepower Controller Course, basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leader Course, Airborne and Air Assault.

SFC Monti was assigned as a Forward Observer in headquarters and headquarters troop, 3rd squadron, 71st Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division (light infantry). He was deployed to Afghanistan with Task Force Spartan in Feb. 2006. He was an outstanding leader who constantly motivated his soldiers and ensured that his unit was always ready to fight and win.

His career culminated with Task Force Spartan while conducting combat operations in the mountains near Gowardesh, Afghanistan. His recon team occupied a surveillance position when they were attacked by a large enemy force on the afternoon of June 21, 2006. SFC Monti was killed in action by enemy fire in the subsequent engagement.

Jared received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his courageous acts on that day.  Three times he attempted to reach one of “his soldiers” to pull him to safety.  On the third attempt he was hit by a RPG.  

“I’m told that Jared was a very humble guy; that he would have been uncomfortable with all this attention; that he’d say he was just doing his job; and that he’d want to share this moment with others who were there that day. And so, as Jared would have wanted, we also pay tribute to those who fell alongside him: Staff Sergeant Patrick Lybert. Private First Class Brian Bradbury. Staff Sergeant Heathe Craig.” – President Barack Obama

His awards also include the Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (4OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3OLC), Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal (2), Korean Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2), Kosovo Campaign Medal (2), Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge. 

SFC Monti was a graduate of Bridgewater-Raynham High School, Class of 1994. He was in the Iron Man Triathalon, competed in various competitions in the Army and was the N.E. Weightlifting Champion at age 17. Jared loved fishing, hunting, camping, sports and enjoyed spending time with his cousins and his niece, Carys.

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
Sergeant First Class Monti distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a team leader with the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on 21 June 2006. On that day, Sergeant First Class Monti was leading a mission to gather intelligence and to direct fires against the enemy in support of a squadron-size interdiction mission. While at an observation position on top of a mountain ridge, Sergeant First Class Monti’s sixteen-man patrol came under attack by a superior force consisting of as many as 50 enemy fighters. On the verge of being overrun, Sergeant First Class Monti directed his patrol to set up a hasty defensive position behind a collection of rocks. He then began to call for indirect fire from a nearby support base; accurately bringing the rounds upon the enemy who had closed to within 50 meters of his position. While still calling for fire, Sergeant First Class Monti personally engaged the enemy with his rifle and a grenade, successfully disrupting an attempt to flank the patrol. Sergeant First Class Monti then realized that one of his Soldiers was lying wounded and exposed in the open ground between the advancing enemy and the patrol’s position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant First Class Monti moved from behind the cover of the rocks into the face of withering enemy fire. After closing within meters of his wounded Soldier, the heavy volume of fire forced Sergeant First Class Monti to seek cover. Sergeant First Class Monti then gathered himself and rose again to maneuver through a barrage of enemy fire to save his wounded Soldier. Again, Sergeant First Class Monti was driven back by relentless enemy fire. Unwilling to leave his Soldier wounded and exposed, Sergeant First Class Monti made another attempt to move across open terrain and through the enemy fire to the aid of his wounded Soldier. On his third attempt, Sergeant First Class Monti was mortally wounded, sacrificing his own life in an effort to save his Soldier. Sergeant First Class Monti’s acts of heroism inspired the patrol to fight off the larger enemy force. Sergeant First Class Monti’s immeasurable courage and uncommon valor were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, 3d Squadron 71st Cavalry Regiment, the 3d Brigade Combat Team, the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), and the United States Army.

Related articles:

Army Times
Boston Globe
Boston Herald

March/April 2009
“SFC Jared C. Monti – A Redleg Hero” Article from the Army “Fires” Bulletin.

May 25, 2008
“Raynham Honors Its Own Hero” Article from the Brockton Enterprise.

June 17, 2007
Interview with Jared’s father, Paul Monti on “Someone You Should Know” radio program.