Staff Sergeant Leroy A. Petry and another Army Ranger were engaged and wounded by enemy fighters in a courtyard. Still under enemy fire, and wounded in both legs, Staff Sergeant Petry led the other Ranger to cover. The enemy responded by moving closer and throwing grenades. A grenade landed only a few feet away from them and with complete disregard for his safety he moved forward, picked up the grenade, and in an effort to clear the immediate threat, tossed it away. As he was releasing the grenade it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist and further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds.