Pitts received the Medal of Honor for his actions under enemy fire in Afghanistan on July 13, 2008, during which he held off an enemy attack despite being critically wounded. Nine U.S. soldiers were killed in the battle and 27 wounded.
Pitts said his own life was saved multiple times by members of his Army unit. "A lot of guys, directly and indirectly, saved my life," he said.
Pitts served twice in Afghanistan, first in 2005 and again in 2007, as a Forward Observer with 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade.
"My service was about the guys I was with," Pitts said to the gathering of Oracle employees and veterans in New York City.
Military veterans bring many valuable skills—including leadership, communications, and a willingness to shoulder responsibility—into the job market, he said.
"We have a lot more to offer our country,” Pitts said on the day he received the Medal of Honor.
Pitts joined Oracle in June 2013 as a business development consultant with Oracle Direct, where he supports field sales representatives through customer engagement.
"On behalf of all of Oracle, we salute you on this recognition," Oracle President Mark Hurd said to Pitts.
Oracle supports and hires veterans through a variety of programs, including the Oracle Injured Veterans Program and University Workforce Development Program for Veterans.
You can read more about Pitts from his biography and the White House press release.