page_title: Battle of Kamdesh
section_title: Medals of Honor
hierarchical_section_title: Battle of Kamdesh / Decorations / Medals of Honor
caption_attribution_description: English: In this file photo dated July 27, 2009, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha patrols near Combat Outpost (COP) Keating in Kamdesh, Nuristan province, Afghanistan. Former Staff Sgt. Romesha was awarded the Medal of Honor Feb. 11, 2013, for actions during the Battle of Kamdesh at COP Keating, Nuristan province, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2009. Romesha was a section leader with Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at the time of the battle. (DoD photo/Released)
context_page_description: The Battle of Kamdesh took place during the War in Afghanistan. It occurred on October 3, 2009, when a force of 300 Taliban assaulted the American Combat Outpost Keating near the town of Kamdesh of Nuristan province in eastern Afghanistan. The attack was the bloodiest battle for US forces since the Battle of Wanat in July 2008, which occurred 20 miles away from Kamdesh. The attack on COP Keating resulted in 8 Americans killed and 27 wounded whilst the Taliban suffered an estimated 150 killed.
  As a result of the battle, COP Keating was partially overrun and nearly destroyed.Observation Post Fritsche was attacked simultaneously, limiting available support from that position. The Coalition forces withdrew from the base shortly after the battle. A deliberate withdrawal had been planned some time before the battle began, and the closing was part of a wider effort by the top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, to cede remote outposts and consolidate troops in more populated areas to better protect Afghan civilians. The Americans "declared the outpost closed and departed—so quickly that they did not carry out all of their stored ammunition.
context_section_description: On 11 February 2013, President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha, a survivor of the battle. He became the fourth surviving soldier from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts to be awarded the Medal of Honor due to courageous actions during the battle.
  Staff Sergeant Ty Carter was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his courage during the battle. He was awarded the medal on 26 August 2013.
caption: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha patrols near Combat Outpost Keating in Kamdesh, Nuristan province, Afghanistan, 27 July 2009.
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