Medal of Honor Recipient to Deliver UNH Commencement Address

Medal of Honor recipient Ryan Pitts is delivering the University of New Hampshire commencement address on May 16.

Pitts is a former Army staff sergeant who fought off enemy fighters during one of the bloodiest battles of the Afghanistan war, despite his own critical injuries. He is the ninth living recipient of the award; President Barack Obama bestowed the honor last year.

The citation says Pitts fought off enemy fighters on July 13, 2008, in Wanat, Afghanistan. Despite losing blood from wounds in both legs and an arm, he continued to fire at about 200 Taliban fighters and guided air strikes that helped repel the attack.

Pitts is a 2013 graduate of the university's business program in Manchester and a member of the UNH Alumni Association advisory board.