President Barack Obama applauds after awarding the US Army Sgt. First Class Leroy Arthur Petry, left, from Santa Fe, N. M., the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Petry is the ninth service member to have been named a recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)