Austin Army Reservist receives Purple Heart

By Staff Sgt Melissa BrightDecember 28, 2011

Austin Army Reservist receives Purple Heart
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In this image released by the Texas Military Forces Army Maj. Gen. Jaye Wells (left) and Maj. Gen. Gary Bunch tell a few personal anecdotes about Col. Leroy Ontiberos (right) during a small military honors ceremony in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, December... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Austin Army Reservist receives Purple Heart
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In this image released by the Texas Military Forces Col. Leroy Ontiberos received several military honors during a small ceremony in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, December 27, 2011. Army Maj. Gens. Gary Bunch and Jaye Wells pinned the Meritorious Service M... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Austin Army Reservist receives Purple Heart
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In this image released by the Texas Military Forces Army Maj. Gen. Jaye Wells (far right) presents Victoria Ontiberos a certificate of appreciation during a short ceremony honoring her father Col. Leroy Ontiberos (to her left) in Austin, Texas, Tuesd... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Austin Army Reservist receives Purple Heart
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In this image released by Texas Military Forces Col. Leroy Ontiberos received several military honors during a small ceremony in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, December 27, 2011. Army Maj. Gens. Gary Bunch and Jaye Wells pinned the Meritorious Service Medal... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Austin Army Reservist receives Purple Heart
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In this image released by the Texas Military Forces Col. Leroy Ontiberos talks to Roger El Khoury just after receiving several military honors during a small ceremony in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, December 27, 2011. Army Maj. Gens. Gary Bunch and Jaye W... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Austin Army Reservist receives Purple Heart
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In this image released by the Texas Military Forces, a reporter with Univision interviews Col. Leroy Ontiberos shortly after he received several military honors during a small ceremony in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, December 27, 2011. Army Maj. Gens. Gar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Austin Army Reservist receives Purple Heart
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In this image released by the Texas Military Forces, Allen Bergeron, a representative from the Employer Support of the Guard/Reserve committee, presented a plaque to Roger El Khoury, longtime civilian employer of Col. Leroy Ontiberos, Tuesday Decembe... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

AUSTIN, Texas-- Army Maj. Gens. Gary Bunch and Jaye Wells presented military honors to Col. Leroy Ontiberos during the weekly meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court in downtown Austin, Texas, Tuesday, December 27, 2011, the perfect setting for the longtime Travis County employee.

Ontiberos, a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, has served four tours of duty in Iraq and suffered wounds during a battle in Balad. During the ceremony Bunch and Wells took turns pinning the Meritorious Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and a Purple Heart to his uniform as family members, friends and co-workers looked on.

Afterwards, members of local news stationed querried Ontiberos about the sacrifices he and his family have made during his long and productive military career.

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US Army Reserves photo gallery