Soldier earns Purple Heart, credits boots

By Dustin SengerDecember 7, 2010

Soldier earns Purple Heart, credits boots
FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Brig. Gen. James H. Doty Jr., acting senior commander, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, shakes hands with Purple Heart recipient Spc. Joshua Cressey Nov. 22, outside the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div. headquarters ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Spc. Joshua Cressey received the Purple Heart Nov. 22, outside the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division headquarters building at Fort Carson - three months after stepping on a land mine.

Brig. Gen. James H. Doty Jr., acting senior commander, 4th Infrantry Division and Fort Carson, awarded the Purple Heart to Cressey, an infantryman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., for battlefield injuries he sustained in August.

"It sucks that I stepped on a land mine, but that's a small sacrifice for my country," said Cressy, with the purple-and-gold medal pinned on his camouflage uniform.

While conducting dismounted patrols in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, Cressey triggered an improvised-explosive device placed by enemy forces. The resulting blast broke his left ankle and pierced his legs with shrapnel.

"I'm pretty sure the boot saved my foot," said Cressey, praising a pair of Danner Combat Hikers issued earlier this year. The Army has placed four bulk orders for the boots since November 2008, totaling $22.3 million.

The Purple Heart recipient's left heel still hurts, however the Soldier is pursuing a physician's approval to resume his deployment in Afghanistan.

"I know my unit needs me," he said, removing the combat decoration from his collar. "I made a promise when I left that I'd return home with them. And, I'm determined to keep that promise."

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