WATCH: Medal of Honor Recipient Accidentally Breaks NYSE Gavel

Former Army staff sergeant Ryan Pitts received the Medal of Honor this week for an unbelievable defense of his outpost as it was taking heavy enemy fire. And yesterday, Pitts was given the honor of ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Ringing the NYSE bell is an honor that’s been bestowed on a wide array of individuals and organizations, from CNN to Phil Mickelson to the Smurfs to the cast of Jersey Shore.

And so, yesterday they actually got a Medal of Honor recipient (a step up from the aforementioned) to ring the bell, and Pitts seemed very eager at the opportunity. Perhaps a bit too eager, because when he banged the gavel, it broke in half.

Well, would you expect anything less from an Army man?

Watch the video here:

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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