President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to U.S. Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the military's highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan.

Petry, originally from New Mexico, is among nine servicemen from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts to win the award -- given for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

-with IBTimes wire services

President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the militarys highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the military's highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan. REUTERS
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the militarys highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan.
Pictured: President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the military's highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan. REUTERS
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the militarys highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the military's highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan. REUTERS
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the militarys highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the military's highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan. REUTERS
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the militarys highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the military's highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan. REUTERS
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the militarys highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the military's highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan. US GOVERNMENT
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the militarys highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the military's highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan. US GOVERNMENT
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the militarys highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the military's highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan. US GOVERNMENT
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the militarys highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the military's highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan. US GOVERNMENT
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the militarys highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday afternoon to Army Ranger Sergeant 1st Class Leroy Petry, the second living soldier to win the military's highest decoration for actions in Afghanistan. US GOVERNMENT
Barack obama Afghanistan Iraq Mexico